What is the direction of P relative to A?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the relationship between the velocities of points P and A in a rotating system. It emphasizes that the velocity of point P (Vp) is not tangent to its circular path, while the velocity of point A (VA) is affected by the movement of the link connecting them. When the angle (θ) is constant, the velocity of point A (VA) is not zero due to the link's motion. The participants clarify that the velocity of point P can be expressed as a vector sum of the velocities of A and the relative velocity of P with respect to A (VPA). Ultimately, it is confirmed that if point A is fixed and the link is rotating, then the velocities of P and PA are equal.
EastWindBreaks
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Homework Statement


upload_2017-10-30_4-58-35.png


Homework Equations


upload_2017-10-30_4-59-7.png


The Attempt at a Solution


does Vpa has the same direction as Vp? i thought Vp is tangent to the circular path that point P creates( perpendicular to vector Rpa) but from the figure, Vp doesn't seem to be tangent to the path, but Vpa does...
 

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I suggest that you write down expressions for ##\vec R_A## and ##\vec R_{PA}## and differentiate them with respect to time. This will give you the velocity ##\vec v_P = \dot{\vec R_{P}}##.

Also, consider the case when ##\theta## is constant. What happens to ##\vec v_{PA}## then?
 
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Orodruin said:
I suggest that you write down expressions for ##\vec R_A## and ##\vec R_{PA}## and differentiate them with respect to time. This will give you the velocity ##\vec v_P = \dot{\vec R_{P}}##.

Also, consider the case when ##\theta## is constant. What happens to ##\vec v_{PA}## then?

##\vec V_{PA}## = ##\vec ω_P## × ##\vec R_{PA}## so,when ##\theta## is a constant, ##\vec V_{PA}## = 0?
##\vec V_A## = ##\vec V_P## - ##\vec V_{PA}## = ##\vec V_P## - ##\vec ω_P## X ##\vec R_{PA}##
 
Orodruin said:
I suggest that you write down expressions for ##\vec R_A## and ##\vec R_{PA}## and differentiate them with respect to time. This will give you the velocity ##\vec v_P = \dot{\vec R_{P}}##.

Also, consider the case when ##\theta## is constant. What happens to ##\vec v_{PA}## then?
ok, so basically, ##\vec V_P## = ##\vec V_A## + ##\vec V_{PA}##, its a vector sum, so V_P is perpendicular to ##\vec R_{PA}##, and ##\vec V_{PA}## is not, but why ##\vec V_A## is not 0 since point A is fixed?
 
Last edited:
The point A is not fixed. The link is moving, as per the title of the image you attached.
 
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Orodruin said:
The point A is not fixed. The link is moving, as per the title of the image you attached.
oops, my bad, missed " translating base"... so if point A is fixed, and link AP is still rotating, then ##\vec V_P## = ##\vec V_{PA}##, correct?
 
Yes
 
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Orodruin said:
Yes
thank you
 
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