Dynamics - velocity from polar coordinates

AI Thread Summary
Car B is moving towards point O at a constant speed v, and an observer at point A is tracking its speed using a radar gun. The observer calculates the speed recorded as |r(dot)[SIZE="1"]B/A|, with the provided answer being 0.949v. The discussion involves the use of polar coordinates and relevant equations, specifically the relationship between radial and angular components. The angle between the line from the origin to car B and line AB, as well as the lengths involved, are crucial for the calculations. The final conclusion emphasizes the importance of using the cosine of the angle to determine the speed accurately.
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Car B is driving straight toward the point O at a constant speed v. An observer, located at A, tracts the car with a radar gun. What is the speed |r(dot)B/A| that the observer at A records? --I've attached a crude version of the example picture. By the way, the angle of the line from the origin to the car is 45 degrees.
2. Homework Equations : v = r(dot)*er + r*theta(dot)*e(sub theta); also the trig identities
Because I'm not too particularly familiar with polar coordinates, I haven't managed to get very far. I found the angle between the x-axis and line AB was 63.4 degrees, the length rb/a is 0.224km, and the angle between the line from the origin to B and the line AB is 18.4 degrees. What I did after that was place line AB to the orgin, and extended er in AB's direction from B and e(sub theta) perpendictular from AB at B. I don't know how to go from there. The answer is provided as 0.949v. Am I on the right track, and if so, how do I apply the equation?
 

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I figured out the answer -- its the cosine of 18.4 degrees, but I'm still not entirely sure about how to get the answer, my approach was trial and error.
 
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