Work done along a quarter circle path

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by a force along a quarter circle path, specifically addressing the mathematical representation of coordinates in polar form and the integration process involved in the calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the transformation of Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates for the work integral, questioning the reasoning behind different representations of x and y in different quadrants. There is also a discussion on the necessity of integration in this context.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the integration process and the importance of consistency in measuring angles. Some guidance has been offered regarding the mathematical transformations, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a pre-existing solution in the literature, but the original poster expresses confusion about specific parts of the problem. The discussion includes varying interpretations of the angle measurement and its implications for the integration process.

esradw
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I wasnt really sure if I should post that question here since I actually didnt understand its math part.
this question actually already has its solution but I didnt understand this part, when I want to find the work done by a force along a quarter circle path, I define x and y with r and angle and which is for the first quarter of circle is x= r.cos(teta) and y=r.sin(teta) when it is the second quarter of the circle why the book took the x=rsin(teta) and y=r(1-cos(teta)) ?
do you have any idea?
 
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The second x and y you wrote look like changes in x and y positions after integrating something over a quarter circle. Do you have any ideas why someone would do an integration for this kind of problem?
 
actually I have my force F=(y,2x) and I need to find the Work done along that curve so I need to integrate F.dr so it becomes integral ydx + 2xdy and I need to turn x,dx,y and dy into (r) and (theta)
there is something here but I can't see it :((
 
you can measure theta from the positive-x axis, or from the positive y-axis
(or anywhere else for that matter), but you have to be consistent throughout the entire solution.
In any case, the 2x.dy results in r^2 2.sin^2(t) or r^2 2.cos^2(t).
books will replace that 2.sin^2(t) = 1 - cos(2t) = 1 - cos^2(t) + sin^2(t) , or 2.cos^2(t) = 1 + cos(2t) ... maybe that's what they intended.
but YOU should do the integral in a way you're comfortable with!
 
you can measure theta from the positive-x axis, or from the positive y-axis
(or anywhere else for that matter), but you have to be consistent throughout the entire solution.
In any case, the 2x.dy results in r^2 2.sin^2(t) or r^2 2.cos^2(t).
books will replace that 2.sin^2(t) = 1 - cos(2t) = 1 - cos^2(t) + sin^2(t) , or 2.cos^2(t) = 1 + cos(2t) ... maybe that's what they intended.
but YOU should do the integral in a way you're comfortable with!
 

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