Circular motion - determining expression for a position vector

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the position vector of a particle moving in a circular path of radius R, starting from the positive y-axis at time t = 0. The position vector is expressed as r(t) = Rcos(omega*t)xhat + Rsin(omega*t)yhat, which correctly reflects the particle's movement with constant angular velocity omega. However, there is confusion regarding the initial position at t = 0, where the expected output should be (0, R) instead of (R, 0) or (R, R) as suggested by other responses. Clarification is needed to ensure that the expression aligns with the specified starting conditions. The accurate representation of the position vector is crucial for understanding circular motion dynamics.
Linus Pauling
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1. Consider a particle--the small red block in the figure--that is constrained to move in a circle of radius R. We can specify its position solely by theta(t), the angle that the vector from the origin to the block makes with our chosen reference axis at time t. Following the standard conventions we measure theta(t) in the counterclockwise direction from the positive x axis.

Determine an expression for the position vector of a particle that starts on the positive y-axis at t = 0 (i.e., at t = 0, (x_0, y_0) = (0, R)) and subsequently moves with constant omega.
Express your answer in terms of R, omega, t, and unit vectors x_unit and y_unit.




2. r(t) = Rcos(omega*t)xhat + Rsin(omega*t)yhat



3. R*yhat + Rcos(omega*t)xhat
 
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I may be confused - I see what looks like one question and two answers.
I don't see the answer to #1. When t = 0 your #2 answer works out to (R,0). And when t=0 your #3 answer works out to (R,R). The answer for #1 should work out to (0,R) when t = 0.
 
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