Tangential and radial particle acceleration

[Why-not2007]

Homework Statement

A particle moves in the xy plane in a circle centered origin. At a certain instant the velocity and acceleration of the particle are 4.6j m/s and (2.3i - 2.1j) m/s^2. What are the x and y coordinates of the particle at this moment

Homework Equations

ar=-v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution

I took the magnitude of the radial acceleration and got 3.11 m/s^2 and plugged it into the equation. I got -6.8 for my radius and was told that was the wrong answer for the x coordinate. Then I tried plugging in 2.3 for the radial acceleration and got -9.2 for my radius. Does the -2.1j m/s^2 not play a factor in this problem? I got x=-9.2, but I don't know how to solve for the y component of the problem.

 

[Doc Al]

I took the magnitude of the radial acceleration and got 3.11 m/s^2 and plugged it into the equation.

How did you get this? Are you assuming that the particle is moving with a constant speed? (You are given the total acceleration, not the radial acceleration.)

I got -6.8 for my radius and was told that was the wrong answer for the x coordinate. Then I tried plugging in 2.3 for the radial acceleration and got -9.2 for my radius. Does the -2.1j m/s^2 not play a factor in this problem? I got x=-9.2, but I don't know how to solve for the y component of the problem.

The velocity should tell you the y-coordinate, since it moves in a circle.

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A particle moves in the xy plane in a circle centered origin. At a certain instant the velocity and acceleration of the particle are 4.6j m/s and (2.3i - 2.1j) m/s^2. What are the x and y coordinates of the particle at this moment

Homework Equations

ar=-v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution

I took the magnitude of the radial acceleration and got 3.11 m/s^2 and plugged it into the equation. I got -6.8 for my radius and was told that was the wrong answer for the x coordinate. Then I tried plugging in 2.3 for the radial acceleration and got -9.2 for my radius. Does the -2.1j m/s^2 not play a factor in this problem? I got x=-9.2, but I don't know how to solve for the y component of the problem.

The velocity is given as being in the 'j' direction only. That should give you a hint on the possible location of the y coordinate. Your value of the centripetal acceleration that you must use depends on the value of the y coordinate you must find first.

 

[Why-not2007]

The y coordinate equal 0?

 

[Doc Al]

The y coordinate equal 0?

Absolutely. That's the only way to make sense of the given velocity, since that velocity must be tangential to the circle at all times.

 

[Why-not2007]

Thanks, I appreciate the help.