# Determining unit vector of acceleration and velocity in circular motio

 Homework Sci Advisor HW Helper Thanks P: 13,124 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 ##
 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 ##