- #1
randomafk
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Homework Statement
If the acceleration/force vector is always perpendicular to the velocity vector, what is the path?
Homework Equations
F=ma
a dot v=0
The Attempt at a Solution
We know that the dot product of a and v is zero such that
vx*vx'+vy*vy'=0 where vx'=dvx/dt
Also, I know this would be UCM, and given that I could say that the speed is constant. However, how would you know speed is constant not knowing the final path?
In addition, extending this further, how would know what path a particle took given acceleration and velocity vectors. That is to say, what if acceleration and velocity were not always perpendicular and also changed in magnitude with time?