# Homework Help: Deriving decomposition of transverse acceleration

1. May 3, 2013

### philipfisher

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

The question asks one to derive the acceleration vector,

$$\vec{a} = [\frac{d^2r}{dt^2} - r(\frac{d\Theta}{dt})^2]\vec{u}_r + [\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dt}(r^2\frac{d\Theta }{dt})]\vec{u}_\Theta$$

from the velocity vector.

$$\vec{v} = \vec{u}_r\frac{dr}{dt} + \vec{u}_\Theta \frac{d\Theta }{dt}$$

2. Relevant equations

See above.

3. The attempt at a solution

I have had no problem deriving this version of the acceleration vector,

$$\vec{a} = [\frac{d^2r}{dt^2} - r(\frac{d\Theta}{dt})^2]\vec{u}_r + [2\frac{dr}{dt}\frac{d\Theta }{dt}+r\frac{d^2\Theta }{dt^2}]\vec{u}_\Theta$$

from the velocity vector. But I'm stumped on how one simplifies my version of the transverse component of acceleration,

$$2\frac{dr}{dt}\frac{d\Theta }{dt}+r\frac{d^2\Theta }{dt^2}$$

into the textbook's version.

$$\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dt}(r^2\frac{d\Theta }{dt})$$

Any chance someone could give me a hint? I've googled for an explanation without any success. I've also looked in two different textbooks, both of which just state that,

$$2\frac{dr}{dt}\frac{d\Theta }{dt}+r\frac{d^2\Theta }{dt^2} = \frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dt}(r^2\frac{d\Theta }{dt})$$

without explaining why. I'm guessing the process of simplification is so basic that the texts just assume it needs no explaining, but the simplification eludes me and I'd really appreciate whatever help anyone could provide. Thanks.

2. May 3, 2013

### ap123

You can just use the standard product rule here (combined with the chain rule), remembering that r is a function of t.

3. May 3, 2013

### cepheid

Staff Emeritus
Welcome to PF,

It's a case where, if you work backwards, you'll see that this relation is true:$$\frac{1}{r}\frac{d}{dt}(r^2\frac{d\Theta }{dt})$$

Differentiate using the product rule:$$= \frac{1}{r}\frac{d\Theta }{dt}\frac{d}{dt}(r^2) + \frac{1}{r}(r^2)\frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{d\Theta }{dt}\right)$$ $$=\frac{1}{r}2r\frac{dr}{dt}\frac{d\Theta}{dt} + r\frac{d^2\Theta}{dt^2}$$

In the last step, in the leftmost term, r2 was differentiated using the chain rule

Edit: eventually you'll get adept at "reverse" differentiating things that are exact derivatives in your head, and something like this will be clear by inspection.

4. May 3, 2013

### philipfisher

Thank you. I'd tried the process of working backward by differentiating the textbook answer, but completely forgot the need to use the chain rule when doing so. I really appreciate the help.