Velocity of a particle GIVEN position vector

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the velocity and speed of a particle given its position vector r = (4t, 3, t^3). Participants clarify that velocity is the derivative of the position vector with respect to time, resulting in v = (4, 0, 3t^2). At t=1, the velocity vector simplifies to v = (4, 0, 3) and the speed, calculated as the magnitude of this vector, is determined to be 5. Confusion arises regarding the differentiation process, particularly with the t^3 term, but it is confirmed that the correct approach is to differentiate and evaluate at the specified time. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that speed is the magnitude of the velocity vector at a given time.
vorcil
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A [article follows the path given by the position vector
r= (4t , 3 , t^3)

what's its' speed at t=1?

no idea how to solve this
i know velocity is the derivative of the position with respect to time

do i just solve, 4, 0, 3t^2, then stick it in?
4 + 3 = 7m/s??
 
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Velocity is a vector quantity. The particle's velocity at time t is v = (4,0,3t^2). At time t=1, the velocity of the particle is v = (4,0,3). It's speed at time t=1 is \sqrt{4^{2}+0^{2}+3^{2}} = 5.
 
Random Variable said:
Velocity is a vector. The particles vecolocty at time t is v = (4,0,3t^2). At time t=1, the veclocity of the particle is v = (4,0,3). It's speed at time t=1 is \sqrt{4^{2}+0^{2}+3^{2}} = 5.


oh so it's just the magnitude of the differentiated vector?

this was the original equation
r= (4t , 3 , t^3)

so i'd differnetiate it,

(4 , 0 , 3t^2)
and find the |r| or the magnitude of it?
 
EDIT: You want the magnitude of v, not r.
 
Random Variable said:
Yes. Speed is a scalar.

I find it strange to differentiate the position vector

what happened to the square on the t^3, 3t^2, it became 4,0,3?
what about the t^2? or is the ^2 part of the t, and we forget the t's?
 
You wanted the speed at time t=1.
 
You're given the particle's postion as a function of time. If you differentiate, then you know the rate and direction at which the particle's position is changing.
 
Random Variable said:
You wanted the speed at time t=1.

so how do i make r= (4t , 3 , t^3) become 4,0,3?
4*1t , 3*0t, 1*1^3?

i thought differentiating r= (4t , 3 , t^3) 4t -> 4 ,3 -> 0, t^3 -> 3t^2
then substituting in 1 for t, you get the velocity vector, 4,0,3?
then i'd just get |(4,0,3)|
 
v = dr/dt = (4, 0, 3t2)

speed = |v| = \sqrt{4^2 + 0^2 + 9t^4 }
The speed at t = 1 is the value of the radical above at t=1.
 
  • #10
vorcil said:
so how do i make r= (4t , 3 , t^3) become 4,0,3?
4*1t , 3*0t, 1*1^3?

i thought differentiating r= (4t , 3 , t^3) 4t -> 4 ,3 -> 0, t^3 -> 3t^2
then substituting in 1 for t, you get the velocity vector, 4,0,3?
then i'd just get |(4,0,3)|

(4,0,3) is a vector with magnitude 5.
 
  • #11
Random Variable said:
(4,0,3) is a vector with magnitude 5.
yeah thanks i know that, but how did you get (4,0,3) from r= (4t , 3 , t^3)?
 
  • #12
Random Variable said:
Velocity is a vector quantity. The particle's velocity at time t is v = (4,0,3t^2). At time t=1, the velocity of the particle is v = (4,0,3). It's speed at time t=1 is \sqrt{4^{2}+0^{2}+3^{2}} = 5.


OH RIGHT,
thanks Random variable, XD XD XD :smile:

Just to confirm, i differentiate r= (4t , 3 , t^3)?
 
  • #13
vorcil said:
OH RIGHT,
thanks Random variable, XD XD XD :smile:

Just to confirm, i differentiate r= (4t , 3 , t^3)?


Hasn't this been answered in post 9?
 

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