Vector Calculus: Find Position & Velocity Vectors

danny_manny
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Homework Statement



Use the given information to find the position and velocity
vectors of the particle.

a(t) = −cos t i − sin t j; v(0) = i; r(0) = j

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Ok first step integrate a(t).

which i get to be
-sin(t)i +cos(t)j + c

now using the initial condition v(0) = i
i get v(t) = 1-sin(t)i +cos(t)j

now integrate v(t)

= (cos(t)+t)i +sin(t)j
using initial condition r(0) = j
r(t) = (cos(t) + t)i + (sin(t)+1)j

they are my two answers in bold but the back of my book has different answers and i don't know what's going wrong.

Thanks for the assistance
 
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danny_manny said:

Homework Statement



Use the given information to find the position and velocity
vectors of the particle.

a(t) = −cos t i − sin t j; v(0) = i; r(0) = j

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Ok first step integrate a(t).

which i get to be
-sin(t)i +cos(t)j + c

now using the initial condition v(0) = i
i get v(t) = 1-sin(t)i +cos(t)j

now integrate v(t)

= (cos(t)+t)i +sin(t)j
using initial condition r(0) = j
r(t) = (cos(t) + t)i + (sin(t)+1)j

they are my two answers in bold but the back of my book has different answers and i don't know what's going wrong.

Thanks for the assistance
Your v(t) is incorrect. It gives you that v(0) = 1 + j. That's neither a vector nor a scalar. You can't add a vector & a scalar.

The constant, c, you have after integrating a(t) is a vector constant, c.
 
SammyS said:
Your v(t) is incorrect. It gives you that v(0) = 1 + j. That's neither a vector nor a scalar. You can't add a vector & a scalar.

The constant, c, you have after integrating a(t) is a vector constant, c.

so the vector constant should be equal to i no?
 
danny_manny said:
so the vector constant should be equal to i no?
No, although I see that you may have meant to have v(t) = (1-sin(t))i + cos(t)j. But that still ignores the fact that cos(0) = 1, not zero.
 
so the answer must be
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)+1)j ?

in the book however the answer is given
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)-1)j

I don't know where I'm going wrong.
Thanks again.
 
danny_manny said:
so the answer must be
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)+1)j ?

in the book however the answer is given
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)-1)j

I don't know where I'm going wrong.
Thanks again.

cos(0) - 1 = 1 - 1 =0
 
Sorry Sammy I'm still lost :(
 
danny_manny said:
so the answer must be
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)+1)j ?

in the book however the answer is given
(1-sin(t))i+(cos(t)-1)j
How did you come up with your answer? What do you get when you set t=0 in your answer?
 
v(0) = -sin(0)i +cos(0)t + c
= 0i+1j+c
 
  • #10
I don't see how you solved for c.
 
  • #11
That's the part I'm stuck at do i set the lhs equal to zero?
 
  • #12
What do the initial conditions given in the problem statement say?
 
  • #13
oh I see, thanks.
 
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