Particle at Rest: Find Times t> 0 for x & y Direction, Acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the motion of a particle described by its position vector in terms of time, focusing on its movement in the x and y directions, as well as conditions for being at rest and accelerating. The subject area includes kinematics and vector calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definitions of "moving in the x or y direction" and question the interpretations of velocity and position. Various attempts are made to derive expressions for times when the particle is moving in specific directions and when it is at rest or accelerating.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and attempting to clarify the conditions for motion in each direction. Some guidance has been offered regarding the component equations for velocity and acceleration, but no consensus has been reached on the interpretations or solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of movement in the context of the problem, particularly regarding the implications of being at rest versus moving in a direction. There are also references to the need for a common solution for the component equations.

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Homework Statement



A particle's position is r =(ct^2−2dt^3) i hat+(2ct^2−dt^3)j hat. where c and d are positive constants.
part a) Find expressions for times t > 0 when the particle is moving in the x-direction.
part b) Find expressions for times t > 0 when the particle is moving in the y-direction.


Is there any time,t >0 when the particle is c) at rest and d) accelerating in the x-direction?
If either answer us "yes", find the time(s).


The Attempt at a Solution




a)

r''(t)→ = d^2/dt^2 [ ct^2 -2dt^3] i
a(t)→ = 2c - 12dt
t = (2c - a)/12d

b)

r"(t)→d^2/dt^2[ 2ct^2 - dt^3] j
a(t)→ = (4c -6dt)j
t = (4c - a)/6d

c)

If particle is at rest, then velocity = 0

v→ = r'(t)→ = (2ct - 6dt^2) i + (4ct - 3dt^2) j
0 = (2ct - 6dt^2) i + (4ct - 3dt^2) j

how do I proceed from here?
 
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For (a) and (b), what does "moving in x or y direction" mean?

For (c), find t such that the equation is satisfied.
 
voko said:
For (a) and (b), what does "moving in x or y direction" mean?

For (c), find t such that the equation is satisfied.

I suppose it means (x,0) and (0,y). Word for word from the book.
Part (a) and (b) is correct. How should I attempt part(c)?
I set dr/dt to be zero but I can't reduce the expression.
 
How do you know that (a) and (b) are correct? I have a very different interpretation of those parts.

For (c), you have a vector equation. That means you have equations for each component. Find a common solution for the component equations, if it exists.
 
voko said:
How do you know that (a) and (b) are correct? I have a very different interpretation of those parts.
It seems to make sense, although, I would rule out my answer being a probable falsity.
Let's begin from part(a) then.
 
Last edited:
When you hear "something is moving in some direction", is this a statement about the position of something, or its velocity, or its acceleration?
 
voko said:
When you hear "something is moving in some direction", is this a statement about the position of something, or its velocity, or its acceleration?

Position. But this change in position could further imply the velocity is changing, and, therefore, a change in the acceleration too.
 
negation said:
Position. But this change in position could further imply the velocity is changing, and, therefore, a change in the acceleration too.

So if you are at x = 5 m and y = 6 m, which direction are you moving?
 
voko said:
So if you are at x = 5 m and y = 6 m, which direction are you moving?

50° from the origin-origin being (0,0)

Edit: It cannot be ascertain.
 
  • #10
Even if you are standing still at that position?
 
  • #11
voko said:
Even if you are standing still at that position?

I edited the post you responded to.
It cannot be ascertain unless the change in position is made relative to another position, otherwise, the question becomes meaningless. Is that what you were trying to expound?
 
  • #12
negation said:
I edited the post you responded to.
It cannot be ascertain unless the change in position is made relative to another position, otherwise, the question becomes meaningless. Is that what you were trying to expound?

Yes. And how do you characterize "change in position"?
 
  • #13
voko said:
Yes. And how do you characterize "change in position"?

Δs = vit + 0.5at^2
 
  • #14
That is valid only for uniformly accelerated motion. Imagine ##\Delta t## is very very small. How can you approximate ##\Delta s##?
 
  • #15
voko said:
That is valid only for uniformly accelerated motion. Imagine ##\Delta t## is very very small. How can you approximate ##\Delta s##?

change in position/ change in time = velocity.

v(t) . Δt = Δs = sf - si

or in other words; the derivative of position x change in time
 
  • #16
voko said:
How do you know that (a) and (b) are correct? I have a very different interpretation of those parts.

For (c), you have a vector equation. That means you have equations for each component. Find a common solution for the component equations, if it exists.

Here's another go:

a)

If we are concern only with the velocity of the particle along the x-axis, then, this implies that the velocity along the y-axis is hypothetically = 0ms^-1


v = (vx=0,vy)
vy = 0ms^-1
vy = (dr/dt)y = 0ms^-1
ry→ = (2ct^2 -dt^3)j
dr/dt = 4ct - 3dt^2
4ct - 3dt^2 = 0
4c = 3dt
t = 4c/3d



b)



v = (vx,vy=0)
vx = 0ms^-1
vx = (dr/dt)x = 0ms^-1
rx→ = (ct^2 -2dt^3)i
(dr/dt)x = (2ct -6dt^2)i
2ct = 6dt^2
2c = 6dt
t = 2c/6d =c/3d




c)

if the particle is at rest, that implies that v = (vx = 0, vy = 0)

at t = 4c/3d, vy = 0
at t = c/3d, vx = 0


there is no time at which tx = ty, so, the particle is never at rest.

d)

particle accelerating only in the x-axis implies it's acceleration along the y-axis = 0

py'(t)→ = 4ct - 3dt^2
py"(t)→ = a(t)→ = 4c - 6dt

4c = 6dt
t = 2c/3d
 
Last edited:
  • #17
Your method and results look good to me.
 
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