Polar Plots - ( Advanced Plotting Techniques )

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Syntax

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

theta = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, 100)
r = 2 * np.sin(3 * theta)

# create polar plot
fig, ax = plt.subplots(subplot_kw={'projection': 'polar'})
ax.plot(theta, r)

Example

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

theta = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, 100)
r = 2 * np.sin(3 * theta)

# create polar plot
fig, ax = plt.subplots(subplot_kw={'projection': 'polar'})
ax.plot(theta, r)
plt.show()

Output

A polar plot with a sin wave shape.

Explanation

A polar plot is a graph that plots data in polar coordinates. It is used to visualize data that is radial in nature, i.e., data that is geometrically represented as a distance from a fixed point. Polar plots are used in many areas such as astronomy, engineering, and physics.

In the above example, we have used the numpy and matplotlib modules to create a polar plot of a sin wave. We define a range of angles using numpy.linspace() and calculate a corresponding range of radii using a mathematical function (2 * np.sin(3 * theta)). We then create a polar plot using the subplot() method and pass the argument 'projection': 'polar'. We also plot the data on the polar axis using the ax.plot() method.

Use

Polar plots are useful for visualizing cyclic and periodic data, and data that is linearly symmetric around a fixed point. They are commonly used in engineering, physics, astronomy, and other sciences.

Important Points

• A polar plot is a graph that plots data in polar coordinates, which consist of a radius and an angle.
• Polar plots are useful for visualizing cyclic and periodic data.
• The subplot() method in matplotlib.pyplot can be used to create polar plots.
• Polar plots are useful for visualizing data that is radial in nature, i.e., data that is geometrically represented as a distance from a fixed point.

Summary

Polar plots are a powerful tool for visualizing data that is periodic, cyclic or radially symmetric. Pyplot in Matplotlib makes it easy to create polar plots using subplot(). Polar plots are especially useful in engineering, physics, astronomy, and other sciences.