How to get ##\ddot r## when you have ##r##, ##\theta## and right trig

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a right triangle where one angle is 60°, and the sides relate to a particle's motion detected by radar. The original poster seeks to find the second derivative of the radius vector, ##\ddot r##, given the radius, angle, and certain motion parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to differentiate an expression for the radius, ##r=\frac{height}{sin \theta}##, but questions how to proceed since time is not explicitly present in the expressions. Some participants discuss the relationship between the velocity and acceleration vectors and suggest decomposing the acceleration vector into components.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the relationship between the angle of the triangle and the motion of the particle. There is an ongoing inquiry about the constancy of the angle and how it affects the differentiation process. Guidance has been offered regarding the decomposition of vectors, but a clear consensus has not been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty about whether the angle of 60° is constant or variable, which may impact the differentiation and interpretation of the motion. The original poster also references a previous problem that may provide additional context.

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Homework Statement
A radar detects that a particle, located ##40 m## above the ground, moves towards it with velocity ##v_r=5 \frac{m}{s}##. The modulus of ##\vec v## is constant, and the modulus of the acceleration at that moment is ##a=10 \frac{m}{s}##. The radius vector that goes from the radar to the particle forms an angle of ##60°## with the ground. Find ##\ddot r##
Relevant Equations
##sin(x)=\frac{op}{hyp}##
I have a right triangle: one of the angles is ##60°## (that's ##\theta##), one of the sides is ##40 m## long, and the hypotenuse is equal to the radius. Now I can find an expression for ##r## and that expression is ##r=\frac{height}{sin \theta}##. If I differentiate it, I'll get ##\dot r## and if I differentiated it again I would get ##\ddot r##. Now, how can I differentiate that expression? because time doesn't appear in the expressions.
 
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Like Tony Stark said:
Homework Statement: A radar detects that a particle, located ##40 m## above the ground, moves towards it with velocity ##v_r=5 \frac{m}{s}##. The modulus of ##\vec v## is constant, and the modulus of the acceleration at that moment is ##a=10 \frac{m}{s}##. The radius vector that goes from the radar to the particle forms an angle of ##60°## with the ground. Find ##\ddot r##
Homework Equations: ##sin(x)=\frac{op}{hyp}##

I have a right triangle: one of the angles is ##60°## (that's ##\theta##), one of the sides is ##40 m## long, and the hypotenuse is equal to the radius. Now I can find an expression for ##r## and that expression is ##r=\frac{height}{sin \theta}##. If I differentiate it, I'll get ##\dot r## and if I differentiated it again I would get ##\ddot r##. Now, how can I differentiate that expression? because time doesn't appear in the expressions.
This looks like a continuation of a problem you posted earlier. In that problem, I think you were looking for the angle between the velocity vector and a vector that is perpendicular to the hypotenuse of your right triangle. If you know that angle and the target's acceleration vector, then you can decompose the acceleration vector into two orthogonal components, one of which is the ##\ddot r## that you are looking for here. Edit: This assumes that the target's motion and the radar are all in the same plane.
 
Is the angle of 60 deg. constant or variable?
 
tnich said:
This looks like a continuation of a problem you posted earlier. In that problem, I think you were looking for the angle between the velocity vector and a vector that is perpendicular to the hypotenuse of your right triangle. If you know that angle and the target's acceleration vector, then you can decompose the acceleration vector into two orthogonal components, one of which is the ##\ddot r## that you are looking for here. Edit: This assumes that the target's motion and the radar are all in the same plane.

Yess, it's another part of the same problem. Because I could do the first one (the one of the angle) with your help but I got stuck in the other one. The thing is that I don't know how to get the angle formed by the acceleration and the axis
 
Like Tony Stark said:
Yess, it's another part of the same problem. Because I could do the first one (the one of the angle) with your help but I got stuck in the other one. The thing is that I don't know how to get the angle formed by the acceleration and the axis
You know the magnitude of the velocity is constant. What does that tell you about the angle between the velocity vector and the acceleration vector?
 

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