Talk: Spherical coordinate system

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θ versus φ

Note, there is a discrepancy between the meanings of θ and φ. Some people use θ as the polar angle (between the z-axis and the r vector), while other people call that φ. To illustrate the confusion, text of this article and the graphic use opposite standards. One should be changed to match the other.
-Spirko 18:36, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Polar coordinates

Isn't the Spherical Coordinate System just a 3D version of the Polar Coordinate System?

PS: ρ can also correspond to altitude (height), θ can also correspond to longitude, and φ can also correspond to latitude. Kinda like the earth.

Darth Disco (talk) 00:23, May 17, 2016 (UTC)

Yeah, pretty much! Although cylindricals can also be viewed the same way. Good observation with the global coordinates! --Dinoenthusiastguy (talk) 20:16, May 21, 2016 (UTC)

I did a little bit more research, and realized that there was indeed a distinction between cylindrical coordinates (z) and spherical coordinates (ρ).

Darth Disco (talk) 21:00, May 21, 2016 (UTC)