# Determining unit vector of acceleration and velocity in circular motio

by negation
Tags: acceleration, circular, determining, motio, unit, vector, velocity
 P: 710 As a particle orbits around a circle, the unit vector of the velocity and acceleration component is constantly changing, so, how do I determine the unit vector?
 Homework Sci Advisor HW Helper Thanks ∞ PF Gold P: 11,102 The unit vector for, say, velocity, is the velocity vector divided by the vector-magnitude - same as for any motion. What is the problem? Can you provide an example where a difficulty arises? $$\vec v = v\hat v: \hat v = \frac{\vec v}{v}$$ eg. Circular motion about origin at constant speed v and radius R, in Cartesian coordinates: ##\vec r (t) = \hat\imath R\sin\omega t + \hat\jmath R\cos\omega t : v=R\omega## The unit vector for position would be: ##\hat r = \hat\imath \sin\omega t + \hat\jmath \cos\omega t ##
P: 710
 Quote by Simon Bridge The unit vector for, say, velocity, is the velocity vector divided by the vector-magnitude - same as for any motion. What is the problem? Can you provide an example where a difficulty arises? $$\vec v = v\hat v: \hat v = \frac{\vec v}{v}$$ eg. Circular motion about origin at constant speed v and radius R, in Cartesian coordinates: ##\vec r (t) = \hat\imath R\sin\omega t + \hat\jmath R\cos\omega t : v=R\omega## The unit vector for position would be: ##\hat r = \hat\imath \sin\omega t + \hat\jmath \cos\omega t ##
Just as I suspected. I wanted to confirm my understanding.
Thanks for the input.

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P: 11,102

## Determining unit vector of acceleration and velocity in circular motio

Gah - I think I got suckered: well done!