rows and columns are always mutually perpendicular (orthogonal) unit vectors

  • a transformation matrix

  • rotates a point counterclockwise by an angle θ around the origin.

  • R is a normal matrix -

  • Transpose of a rotation matrix produces a rotation in the opposite direction

  • inverse is transpose

  • orthonormal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotation_matrix

Conceptual explanation/derivation: TODO