What Are the Coordinates of the Circle's Center?

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The discussion revolves around determining the coordinates of the center of a circular path for a particle moving in uniform circular motion. The particle is at the point (3.00 m, 3.00 m) with a velocity of -5.00 m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 m/s². Participants clarify the use of centripetal acceleration, noting that the acceleration is directed vertically while the velocity is horizontal. By applying the centripetal acceleration formula, they calculate the radius of the circular path as 2.5 m. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes correctly interpreting the directions of velocity and acceleration to find the circle's center.
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The question is:

A particle moves horizontally in uniform circular motion, over a horizontal xy plane. At one instant, it moves through the point at coordinates (3.00 m, 3.00 m) with a velocity of -5.00 m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 m/s2. What are the coordinates of the center of the circular path?

I know centripical acceleration is a = (v^2)/r

I know:
ax = 0 m/s^2
ay = 10 m/s^2

and . . .

vx = -5 m/s
vy = 0 m/s

where do i go from here?
 
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KMjuniormint5 said:
I know centripical acceleration is a = (v^2)/r
What will that allow you to calculate?

I know:
ax = 0 m/s^2
ay = 10 m/s^2

and . . .

vx = -5 m/s
vy = 0 m/s
I assume that the directions were given?

Make use of that centripetal acceleration formula.
 
ax = 0 m/s^2
ay = 10 m/s^2

and . . .

vx = -5 m/s
vy = 0 m/s

I am just assuming that from reading from the question . . .is that a safe assumption?

This is the question that I am asked:
A particle moves horizontally in uniform circular motion, over a horizontal xy plane. At one instant, it moves through the point at coordinates (3.00 m, 3.00 m) with a velocity of -5.00 m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 m/s2. What are the coordinates of the center of the circular path?

and what I did was find the accel. in the x and y direction and the velocity in the x and y velocity
 
The question says "with a velocity of -5.00 m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 m/s2", but what direction? You assume the velocity is in the -x direction, but I see nothing in the problem statement that tells you that.

Perhaps this statement "A particle moves horizontally in uniform circular motion, over a horizontal xy plane" was supposed to read "A particle moves along the x-axis...". (If it's moving in a horizontal xy plane, then both x-axis and y-axis are horizontal.)

OK, let's assume your directions are correct. Now make use of the centripetal acceleration formula. You have v and a; find r.
 
ahhhhh . . .there is another piece i left out . . "-5.00 i(hat) m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 j(hat) m/s2 "
. . .that is where I got my information from but even in that case would I still just do a direct plug in? so. . .

10 = 25/r and r having a value of 2.5m?
 
KMjuniormint5 said:
ahhhhh . . .there is another piece i left out . . "-5.00 i(hat) m/s and an acceleration of +10.0 j(hat) m/s2 "
That makes all the difference! :smile:
. . .that is where I got my information from but even in that case would I still just do a direct plug in? so. . .

10 = 25/r and r having a value of 2.5m?
Right. Now use that to locate the center of the circle. (You know which way the acceleration points.)
 
wow i was just making it way too hard. . .thank you so much Doc!
 
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