Engineering Kinematics of particles: a sample problem with spherical coordinates

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the kinematics of particles using spherical coordinates, highlighting key equations for radius (R), angles (θ and φ), and their derivatives. The relationship between spherical and cylindrical coordinates is established, indicating that the angular velocities are equivalent. The equations provided detail how to calculate the derivatives of R and φ with respect to time. Participants are encouraged to visualize the geometric projections of vectors in the context of the problem. The content aims to clarify the application of these equations in kinematic analysis.
Ellinor
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Homework Statement
Resolve the velocity of the aircraft P into spherical coordinate components 60 seconds after takeoff and find R dot, θ dot and 𝜙 dot for that instant.
Relevant Equations
Hello. I am stuck on a sample problem in my textbook. The sample problem consists of 2 small problems, a and b. More specifically, I do not understand the explanation given in the solution for problem b.

I tried to mark the part that I do not understand with a question mark in the images.
I do not understand why R dot equals 99,2 cos (13,19°) + 30,4 sin(13,19°).

99,2 is the speed of the vr component of v in cylindrical coordinates and 30,4 is the speed of the vz component in cylindrical coordinates, calculated in problem a. How can they calculate the vR component of V in spherical coordinates from that information?

Neither do I understand how they calculate v_theta and v__phi.

I have refered to the image given but it makes me none the wiser. I published my question in engineering since it is an engineering mechanics textbook. Thank you in advance.
Question 2 12.jpg
Question 2 12 closer image.jpg
 
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## \begin{align}
&R=\sqrt{r^2+z^2}\nonumber\\
&\dot R=\frac{\partial R}{\partial r}\dot r+\frac{\partial R}{\partial z}\dot z\nonumber\\
\end{align} ##

## \begin{align}
&\theta_{sph.}=\theta_{cyl.}\nonumber\\
&\dot\theta_{sph.}=\dot\theta_{cyl.}\nonumber\\
\end{align} ##

## \begin{align}
&\phi=\arctan\frac zr\nonumber\\
&\dot\phi=\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial r}\dot r+\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial z}\dot z\nonumber\\
\end{align} ##

I hope the above equations will be helpful.
 
Welcome, @Ellinor !

Can you geometrically visualize the projection of vectors on the right side of figure (c)?
 

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