Deriving formulas used for vectors in physics.

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of formulas related to vectors in physics, specifically focusing on the relationships between position, velocity, and acceleration in the context of circular motion. Participants explore the mathematical steps involved in deriving these relationships.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the initial formulas for position and velocity, expressing confusion about the derivation of acceleration as related to the position vector.
  • Another participant suggests differentiating the velocity function again to show its proportionality to the position vector.
  • A different participant acknowledges the need for a step-by-step explanation and notes the importance of recognizing the vector notation in the formulas.
  • There is a reference to an external link that provides a calculus derivation related to centripetal force, which some participants find helpful.
  • One participant speculates that factoring out a term may simplify the derivation, indicating a potential approach to understanding the relationship between acceleration and the position vector.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and seek clarification on the derivation process. There is no consensus on the exact steps needed to derive the acceleration formula, and multiple viewpoints on how to approach the problem are present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention assumptions about vector notation and the need for clarity in differentiation steps, but these aspects remain unresolved within the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Students learning about vectors in physics, particularly those interested in the mathematical relationships in circular motion and differentiation of vector functions.

leafjerky
Messages
43
Reaction score
7
Hey guys and gals, I'm taking an online physics course just to kind of learn the basics before I take the real thing this summer. The course is from OpenYale for those interested (oyc.yale.edu). Anyways, the professor was talking about some formulas for finding ##\vec{r}(t) = r(i(cos\omega t) + j(sin\omega t))##. He then goes on to say that ##\vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t)##. So then ##\vec{v}(t) = r(i(-\omega sin\omega t) + j(\omega cos\omega t)).## I understand it all up to this point. He then loses me when he says that ##\vec{a} = \vec{v}'(t)## which he says is equal to ##-\omega ^2 \vec{r}##. Can someone walk me through how he came up with this? Sorry if the title is off as I didn't really know how to word this. Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Just differentiate v(t) again and you'll see that it's proportional to r(t)
 
I was hoping for the step-by-step as I wasn't thinking and hadn't attempted it yet, but then I realized that it's ##\vec{r}## and not just ##r##, then I saw A.T.'s link and looked through it and it makes sense. I still haven't worked it out but I'm assuming that you factor out the ##-\omega## and what remains is just equal to ##\vec{r}##.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
935
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K