Thornton & Marion, Classical Dynamics, 5th Edition
Chapter 1. Matrices, Vectors, and Vector Calculus
Problem 06. Another proof of the orthogonality condition
The problem asks you to
- prove that Equation (1.15) can be obtained by using the fact that the transformation matrix preserves the length of the line segment.
This problem assumes
- that the coordinate systems are both orthogonal.
We should know about
- Transformation (rotation) matrix
- Orthogonality condition
Solution
We assume a point is represented in the
coordinate system by
, and it can be also represented in the
coordinate system by
.
These coordinate systems have the same origin. The length of the line segment from the origin and the point is
Since the transformation matrix preserves the length of the line segment,
In the equation of transformation,
Therefore,
This equation is satisfied only if