A particle moving with zero radial acceleration in polar coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the radial acceleration of a particle in polar coordinates is zero specifically when the parameter ##\beta## equals ##\pm \omega##. The original claim that radial acceleration is zero for any value of ##\beta## was incorrect. By substituting ##\beta## with ##\pm \omega## in the acceleration expression, the coefficient of the radial unit vector ##\hat{r}## becomes zero, confirming the condition for zero radial acceleration.

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Leo Liu
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In the example above, the authors claim that when ##r=r_0e^{\beta t}##, the radial acceleration of the particle is 0. I don't quite understand it because they did not assume ##\beta=\pm \omega##.
Can anyone please explain it to me? Many thanks.
 
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Leo Liu said:
In the example above, the authors claim that when ##r=r_0e^{\beta t}##, the radial acceleration of the particle is 0.
No, they do not make that claim. They claim that the radial acceleration is zero when ##\beta=\pm \omega##.

All you have to do is replace ##\beta## with ##\pm \omega## in the expression for a and you'll see that the coefficient of ##\hat{r}## vanishes.
 
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Mister T said:
No, they do not make that claim. They claim that the radial acceleration is zero when ##\beta=\pm \omega##.

All you have to do is replace ##\beta## with ##\pm \omega## in the expression for a and you'll see that the coefficient of ##\hat{r}## vanishes.
I see, thanks.
 

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