Vector of a particle moving in space help

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the position vector of a particle moving in space, expressed in terms of trigonometric functions and time. Participants are tasked with finding the position vector and amplitude of the particle in a different reference frame, as well as determining the relationship between the line of simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.) and a specified vector.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the position vector and its components, attempting to differentiate to find velocity and maximum values. Questions arise regarding the correctness of formulas and the interpretation of amplitude and direction of S.H.M.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the components of the position vector and the conditions for maximum velocity. Some participants have offered corrections and clarifications regarding the formulas used, while others are questioning the assumptions about the direction of S.H.M. and how to derive it from the position vector.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential errors in their calculations and interpretations, with some expressing uncertainty about the implications of their findings. The discussion reflects a mix of attempts to clarify the mathematical relationships and the physical interpretations of the motion described.

zorro
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Homework Statement



The position vector of a particle moving in space is given by
[tex]\vec{r}[/tex]=[tex](1+cos2wt)[/tex][tex]\hat{i}[/tex] [tex]+[/tex] [tex]3sin^{2}wt[/tex][tex]\hat{j}[/tex][tex]+[/tex][tex]3t[/tex][tex]\hat{k}[/tex]
in the ground frame. All the units are in SI. Find the position vector and amplitude of the particle in a frame S moving along the positive z-axis with a velocity 3m/s. Is the line of S.H.M. of the particle parallel to [tex]4/5[/tex][tex]\hat{i}-3/5[/tex][tex]\hat{j}[/tex]?

Attempt:

The P.V. of the frame S at any time t is 3t [tex]\hat{k}[/tex].
From this we can find out the P.V. of the particle w.r.t. the frame S.

I differentiated it w.r.t. time to find out the velocity vector and found Vmax, which is 5w.
Vmax=Aw
so A=5m

Unfortunately, I got both of them incorrect :/
 
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Is it the formula?

[tex]\vec {r}=(1+\cos(2\omega t)\hat {i }+3\sin^2(\omega t)\hat {j}+3t\hat{k}[/tex],

(click on it and see the Latex code).

How did you get the result vmax=5w?

The amplitude can be found without the velocity. Find the direction of the SHM and write it along this direction as A(cos2wt)*(unit vector). ehild
 
Last edited:


Correction- The component of the P.V. along x-axis is 1+2cos2wt.
First I found out the velocity, then differentiated it to find the condition of Vmax and got wt = pi/4 (one of the solutions)
Subsitituting the value of wt in the equation for velocity, I found out the magnitude of Vmax as 5w.

How to find out the direction of SHM?
 


The velocity is a vector. Only the magnitude of a vector has maximum or minimum.
A simple harmonic motion always happens along a certain direction. On a table, it is horizontal, a body suspended on a spring oscillates vertically, a body on a slope, connected to a spring oscillates along the slope. The amplitude includes information about the direction of oscillation. In general, it is a vector. Think of the polarization of electromagnetic waves.

Collect the cosine terms: you get a cosine multiplied by a vector: it is the vector amplitude.

ehild
 


ehild said:
The velocity is a vector. Only the magnitude of a vector has maximum or minimum.

Magnitude of the vector has max/min when each of its component has max/min. That happens when wt=pi/4.

ehild said:
Collect the cosine terms: you get a cosine multiplied by a vector: it is the vector amplitude.

ehild
I understand that there is a line of motion of any S.H.M. How do I 'collect' the cosine terms? I don't get your point here.
 


Abdul Quadeer said:
Magnitude of the vector has max/min when each of its component has max/min. That happens when wt=pi/4.
Think it over.
Abdul Quadeer said:
I understand that there is a line of motion of any S.H.M. How do I 'collect' the cosine terms? I don't get your point here.
Edit: As sin2(ωt)=0.5(1-cos(2ωt)) both components of the position vector have a time-dependent cos(2ωt) term. Factoring this out, you have the sum of a constant vector and an oscillating one.

ehild
 
Last edited:


ehild said:
Think it over.

I was wrong :redface:


ehild said:
As sin2(ωt)=1-cos(2ωt) both components of the position vector have a time-dependent cos(2ωt) term. Factoring this out, you have the sum of a constant vector and an oscillating one.

ehild

I got the oscillating term as (i-3j/2)cos2wt
So the amplitude is (13)1/2/2.
But this is not correct.
 


Well, i made a mistake in the previous post: sin2(ωt)=0.5(1-cos(2ωt)).
You have corrected the first formula in your second post : "Correction- The component of the P.V. along x-axis is 1+2cos2wt."

So the position vector is

(i+3/2j)+(2i+3/2 j) cos(2ωt)

at the end, and the magnitude |(2i+3/2 j)|=5/2.

ehild
 


ok, so the line of SHM of particle is 2i + 3/2j which is not parallel to the vector given in the question.

Thanks!
 
  • #10


Abdul Quadeer said:
ok, so the line of SHM of particle is 2i + 3/2j which is not parallel to the vector given in the question.

Thanks!

Oh my! one more mistake. I am tired of gardening :) It is

2i -3/2j. It is parallel with the given vector.

ehild
 

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