Find Normal and Tangential components of accelaration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the motion of a particle described by a polar equation in the plane, specifically focusing on finding the normal and tangential components of acceleration and the curvature of the path at any given time t.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivation of the normal and tangential components of acceleration, questioning the equations used and the definitions of variables like k and θ. There are attempts to clarify the relationships between the tangent vector, normal vector, and their derivatives.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various interpretations of the equations and clarifying misunderstandings about derivatives and vector relationships. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct forms of the tangent and normal vectors, but no consensus has been reached on the final approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion over the correct application of derivatives and the definitions of certain variables, indicating a need for clearer understanding of the underlying concepts. There are also references to mistakes made in previous calculations, highlighting the iterative nature of the problem-solving process.

  • #31
I found the answer The question is not about ##\vec{T}## or ##\vec{N}##.We are in wrong way the equation is ##\vec{a}=d^2s/dt^2(\vec{T}+k\vec{N})## here the components is ##d^2s/dt^2## for ##\vec{T}## and ##d^2s/dt^2k## for ##\vec{N}##.

##ds/dt=√(1+(dy/dx)^2)##
##y=(t^2+1)\vec{j}## → ##dy =2t\vec{j}##,
##x=t\vec{i}## →##dx=t\vec{j}##
##ds/dt=√(1+(2t/1)^2)##
##d^2s/dt^2=8t/2√(1+4t^2)=4t/√(1+4t^2)##
Which I checked I found the right answer.I will do the same thing for ##\vec{N}## but there's k. k=magnitude of ##d\vec{T}/ds##. ##d\vec{T}/ds=d\vec{T}/dt/(ds/dt)## ##d\vec{T}/dt=2j## and ##ds/dt=√(1+(2t/1)^2)## so ##d\vec{T}/ds=2j/√(1+(4t^2)## and the magnitude is ##2/√(1+(4t^2)## but the answer is 2/(1+(4t^2)3/2
What I am missing ?
 
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  • #32
I guess I mixed everything :frown::frown::frown::frown::frown::frown::frown::nb):nb):nb)
 
  • #33
Well I found some mistakes...
First of all avoid writting x,y as vectors when they are not...
It would be correct to write x=t \Rightarrow dx = dt and y=t^2+1 \Rightarrow dy= 2 t dt

Also the reason you don't get the right answer is because in \frac{d \vec{T}}{ds} you didn't take the derivatives of the unit-tangent vector, just a tangent vector...you used \vec{T} = \hat{i} + 2t \hat{j} \Rightarrow |\vec{T}|= \sqrt{1+4t^2} \ne 1...
If you do the derivative with the unit-tangent vector correctly (I did it) you will get the result you ask for.
 
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  • #34
ChrisVer said:
Well I found some mistakes...
First of all avoid writting x,yx,y as vectors when they are not...
It would be correct to write x=t⇒dx=dtx=t \Rightarrow dx = dt and y=t2+1⇒dy=2tdty=t^2+1 \Rightarrow dy= 2 t dt
Ok,thanks for this

"Also the reason you don't get the right answer is because in \frac{d \vec{T}}{ds} you didn't take the derivatives of the unit-tangent vector, just a tangent vector...you used \vec{T} = \hat{i} + 2t \hat{j} \Rightarrow |\vec{T}|= \sqrt{1+4t^2} \ne 1...
If you do the derivative with the unit-tangent vector correctly (I did it) you will get the result you ask for."
Ok.As you said I did it and I understand.I want to ask one question what's the realtionship between ##\vec{T}## and ##k##and ##\vec{N}##.I thought or see ##d\vec{T}/dt=k\vec{N}## ?
 
  • #35
\frac{d \vec{T}}{ds} = k \vec{N}
 
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  • #36
I understand it thanks the magnitude will give us k but in the vector form this.This vector calculus is really hard.Thanks again for help.
 

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