Rotating particle (complex numbers)

In summary, section 16, problem 1 from Boas Mathematical Methods 3ed states that when a line through the origin and a point z is rotated 90° about the origin, it becomes the line through the origin and the point iz. This concept can be applied to a problem where the displacement of a particle from the origin at time t is represented by z=aeiωt. It can be shown that adding iθ to the argument of z results in the particle being rotated by the angle θ. The velocity of the particle can be found by taking the time derivative of the displacement, dz/dt, which has a magnitude of aω. The acceleration, given by the second derivative of displacement, has a magnitude
  • #1
bawbag
13
1
This problem is from Boas Mathermatical Methods 3ed. Section 16, problem 1.

Show that if the line through the origin and the point z is rotated 90° about the origin, it becomes the line through the origin and the point iz.

Use this idea in the following problem: Let z = ae^iωt be the displacement of a particle from the origin at time t. Show that the particle travels in a circle of radius a at velocity v = aω and with acceleration v^2 / a directed towards the centre of the circle.

The Attempt at a Solution



I can show the first part: adding [itex]\pi[/itex] / 2 to the argument of z gives ae[itex]^{i\theta}[/itex]e[itex]^{\pi / 2}[/itex] which is just iz.

I'm not sure how to set up the second part of the problem, though. How exactly should I use this result?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
In the problem, the displacement vector is represented by the complex number z=aeiωt. What is the distance of the point from the origin?
You can also show, that adding iθ to the argument of a complex number z, it gets rotated by the angle θ.
The velocity is the time derivative of the displacement. What is dz/dt in this case? What is the magnitude of the velocity?
The acceleration is the time derivative of velocity, second derivative of displacement. What is its magnitude? What is its direction?

ehild
 

Related to Rotating particle (complex numbers)

What is a rotating particle?

A rotating particle is a concept in physics that describes the motion of a particle around a fixed point. It is often visualized as a point moving around a circle at a constant speed.

What are complex numbers?

Complex numbers are numbers that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers, and i is the imaginary unit defined as the square root of -1. They are used in mathematics and physics to solve problems that involve imaginary quantities.

How are rotating particles related to complex numbers?

In the context of rotating particles, complex numbers are used to represent the position and velocity of the particle at any given time. The real part of the complex number represents the horizontal component of the position or velocity, while the imaginary part represents the vertical component.

What is the significance of using complex numbers to describe rotating particles?

Using complex numbers to describe rotating particles allows for a more efficient and elegant way to represent their motion. It also allows for the use of mathematical tools such as vector calculus to analyze and predict the behavior of rotating particles.

Are there any real-world applications of rotating particles and complex numbers?

Yes, there are many real-world applications of rotating particles and complex numbers. They are used in fields such as engineering, physics, and computer graphics to model and simulate the motion of objects in 3D space. They are also used in quantum mechanics to describe the behavior of subatomic particles.

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