Vectors, velocity in terms of unit vectors

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle moving in the xy plane with given velocity components in the x and y directions. Participants are tasked with integrating these components to find displacement, expressing velocity and acceleration in terms of unit vectors, and exploring the relationship between velocity and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to integrate the velocity components to find displacement but expresses uncertainty about the next steps. Some participants clarify the representation of velocity as a vector and suggest taking derivatives to find acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on expressing velocity and acceleration. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's integration work, but no consensus has been reached on the subsequent steps or the overall approach.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of confidence in their understanding of the problem, which may affect their approach to the subsequent parts of the question.

Vandella
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Homework Statement



A particle moving in xy plane has velocity components in x and y directions
Dx/dt = b1+c1t and dy/dt = b2+c2t

A) integrate above equations to give displacement components x and y as functions of time
B) write the velocity (v) of the particle at time t in terms of initial vectors I and j
C) find acceleration a of the particle in terms of unit vectors I and j
D) write an expression for magnitude of acceleration
E) find an expression for the time at which v and a are perpendicular

I have integrated the equations to give x=b1t+(c1t^2)/2+ constant (x0)
And y=b2t+(c2t^2)/2+ constant (y0)

Do not know what to do next :/

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Welcome to PF, Vandella! :smile:

The velocity is the vector (dx/dt, dy/dt), or written with i and j:
v=(dx/dt)i + (dy/dt)j.

To find the acceleration vector, you need to take the derivative.
 
Thanks for the welcome :) and for the reply

I had written exactly what you had posted but had talked myself out of thinking it was correct and must be much more difficult
 
I have to admit at being surprised that you could integrate the expressions and then not set up the vector for the velocity. :wink:

And as Occam's razor states: "The simplest explanation that fits all the facts is usually the right one!" :smile:
 

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