Vector Displacement Calculation for Assembly Operation | Homework Solution

[blob84]

Homework Statement

In an assembly operation illustrated in Figure P1.49, a ro-bot moves an object first straight upward and then also tothe east, around an arc forming one quarter of a circle of radius 4.80cm that lies in an east–west vertical plane. Therobot then moves the object upward and to the north,through a quarter of a circle of radius 3.70cm that lies in anorth–south vertical plane. Find (a) the magnitude of thetotal displacement of the object and (b) the angle the totaldisplacement makes with the vertical.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2459/assemplaggio.jpg

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

C_{1}/4=2πr=2π(4.80cm)/4=7.55
A^→=(7.55,0)cm
C_{2}/4=2πr=2π(3.70cm)/4=5.81
B^→=(0, 5.81)cm
R^→=A^→+B^→=(7.55, 5.81)cm
R=sqrt(7.55^2+5.81^2)=9.52cm
σ=37.6°;
the results is 10.4 cm and 35.5°.

 

[pongo38]

Your C1 and C2 appear to be curved lengths. Does Pythagoras theorem apply to curved lengths?

 

[blob84]

no, but i have no idea how to solve.

 

[dikmikkel]

How about applying a spherical polar coordinate system and integrate over a line describing the path i.e. do two separate integrations and add them up.