Path of a Particle: Find & Solve Questions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the path of a particle under the influence of a constant force. Initial confusion about vector relationships and motion in multiple dimensions is addressed, emphasizing the importance of understanding vectors for solving the problem. A crude diagram is suggested to visualize the particle's motion, with examples provided for clarity. The conversation progresses to using parametric equations for plotting the particle's path, ultimately leading to the conclusion that the path is parabolic. Understanding the mathematical relationships and visualizing the motion are key to solving such problems effectively.
LoveBoy
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Homework Statement


f1738b9.png


Homework Equations


Find the path of a particle.
What is the general or fundamental way to solve this type of questions ?

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know where do i start.
I can't able to find a relation between these vectors.
 
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Suppose for a moment that the initial velocity of the particle happened to be zero (the particle starts from rest). What type of path would you expect for a constant force being applied?
 
LoveBoy said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know where do i start.
I can't able to find a relation between these vectors.

I've already given you the formulas for vector motion in another post. So, either you don't understand vectors or you don't understand motion in more than one dimension.

Can you draw a crude diagram of roughly what is going to happen to the particle?

Imagine you were running with the initial velocity and someone was pushing you in the direction of the force. Or, that someone is pushing you in the ##\hat{i}## direction and someone else is pushing you in the ##\hat{j}## direction. You need to find some way to relate these things to the real world.

But, then you need the maths to turn a crude understanding into a precise solution. So, if you don't understand vectors, you'd better go back and revise them.
 
gneill said:
Suppose for a moment that the initial velocity of the particle happened to be zero (the particle starts from rest). What type of path would you expect for a constant force being applied?
Path will be straight line .
 
PeroK said:
I've already given you the formulas for vector motion in another post. So, either you don't understand vectors or you don't understand motion in more than one dimension.

Can you draw a crude diagram of roughly what is going to happen to the particle?

Imagine you were running with the initial velocity and someone was pushing you in the direction of the force. Or, that someone is pushing you in the ##\hat{i}## direction and someone else is pushing you in the ##\hat{j}## direction. You need to find some way to relate these things to the real world.

But, then you need the maths to turn a crude understanding into a precise solution. So, if you don't understand vectors, you'd better go back and revise them.
As per your directions given in last post,
789dfbc.png

3824f70.png

Now, how do i find out relationship between them ?
 
LoveBoy said:
As per your directions given in last post,
789dfbc.png

3824f70.png

Now, how do i find out relationship between them ?

What you have there is a "parametric" equation for ##x## and ##y##. That means both ##x## and ##y## are expressed in terms of a common variable - in this case ##t## or ##t/m## if you prefer. You could plot those on a graph. ##t/m = 0, 1, 2, 3 ...## and see whether that nails down the option between A) to D).
 
PeroK said:
What you have there is a "parametric" equation for ##x## and ##y##. That means both ##x## and ##y## are expressed in terms of a common variable - in this case ##t## or ##t/m## if you prefer. You could plot those on a graph. ##t/m = 0, 1, 2, 3 ...## and see whether that nails down the option between A) to D).
By plotting the graph, i got
s_x and s_y path is parabolic.
 
LoveBoy said:
By plotting the graph, i got
s_x and s_y path is parabolic.

That's right. Once you got going with this problem, you seemed to know what you were doing all right.
 
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