Question
How can we specify the position of an object?
Solution
The position of an object can be specified by choosing:
(i) a fixed point called ‘origin’ or reference point, and
(ii) a fixed line passing through the origin, called reference axis.
So the position of an object can be fully described by knowing:
(i) its distance from origin O and
(ii) the angle θ which the line joining the origin O and the object makes with the reference axis.
In Fig. the position of an object located at point P is 6 m from the origin and 30° north of east.
Fig. To specify the position of an object (Scale: 1 cm = 1m).
