Polar coordinates and kinematics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a kinematics problem involving a rocket's motion in polar coordinates, specifically finding the equations for position, velocity, and acceleration. The user is uncertain about how to express the radial and angular components of acceleration in relation to the given data. They propose an equation for r(t) but struggle to incorporate acceleration into their calculations effectively. The conversation highlights the need for a clearer understanding of the relationships between radial speed, angular speed, and acceleration in polar coordinates. Assistance is sought to clarify these concepts and improve the approach to the problem.
Telemachus
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Homework Statement


I've got some trouble and doubts with polar coordinates. I have this exercise, with a rocket going upwards, with a given acceleration. So I need to find the polar equation for the given situation for the position, the velocity and the acceleration. How should I proceed? I mean, I know I must find an equation that describes the path for r(t) in the polar form, but I'm not sure on how the acceleration fit on this.

attachment.php?attachmentid=28831&stc=1&d=1286321434.png


The distance between the origin and the rocket "D" is given by the problem data.

Homework Equations


r(t)=r\vec{e_r}
v(t)=\dot r\vec{e_r}+r\dot \theta\vec{e_{\theta}}
a(t)=(\ddot r-r\dot \theta^2)\vec{e_r}+(r\ddot \theta+2 \dot r \dot \theta)\vec{e_{\theta}}

I think that r(t) could be: r(t)=\sec \theta \vec{e_r}, but then I don't know how to work with the acceleration on the radial direction, or over the angle direction neither. Should I use trigonometry for this?
 

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I've tried this way, but it doesn't looks fine really

a=k, s=kt x=\displaystyle\frac{k}{2}t^2

Then the radial speed:
\dot r=s \cos \theta=kt \cos \theta

And the angular speed:
\dot \theta=s \sin \theta=kt \sin \theta

I think that the equation for r(t) should be \vec{r(t)}=\sec \theta \hat{e_r}. But I don't know how to work with it.

\dot r=v(t)=\dot r\vec{e_r}+r\dot \theta\vec{e_{\theta}}
\dot r=\sec r \tan r\hat{e_r}+\sec r \dot \theta \hat{e_{\theta}}

I don't know how to determine the radial speed and the angular speed, considering the acceleration, and I think what I've done doesn't make any sense.

Any help please?
Bye there.
 
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