Write F as a sum of an orthogonal and parallel vector

[jonroberts74]

an object is moving in the direction i + j is being acted upon by the force vector 2i + j, express this force as the sum of a force in the direction of motion and a force perpendicular to the direction of motion.

the parallel would be \hat{i}+\hat{j} and the orthogonal would be \hat{i} - \hat{j}using projection of F onto the parallel and orthogonal

\frac{<1,1>\cdot<2,1>}{||<1,1>||^2}<1,1> = <\frac{3}{2}, \frac{3}{2} >

\frac{<1,-1>\cdot<2,1>}{||<1,-1>||^2}<1,-1> = <\frac{1}{2} , \frac{-1}{2}>

\vec{F} = <\frac{3}{2}, \frac{3}{2} > + <\frac{1}{2}, \frac{-1}{2} >

= 2\hat{i} + 1\hat{j}

 

[STEMucator]

an object is moving in the direction i + j is being acted upon by the force vector 2i + j, express this force as the sum of a force in the direction of motion and a force perpendicular to the direction of motion.

Out of curiosity, what is the i+j direction? Do you mean the positive x and y directions? Where is the object exactly?

I'm assuming a few things here, but:

Place the force vector $\vec F = 2 \hat i + 1 \hat j$ at the position of the object; Then find a unit vector $\vec u$ in the direction of the object (using a position vector $\vec r$).

Use $\vec F$ and $\vec u$ to find the parallel projection $F_{||}$ (by using the dot product). Take a moment to express the parallel component in vector form, $\vec F_{||}$, by using $\vec u$.

The perpendicular component is easily obtained by geometry afterwards, i.e:

$\vec F_{\perp} = \vec F - \vec F_{||}$

 

[ehild]

an object is moving in the direction i + j is being acted upon by the force vector 2i + j, express this force as the sum of a force in the direction of motion and a force perpendicular to the direction of motion.

the parallel would be \hat{i}+\hat{j} and the orthogonal would be \hat{i} - \hat{j}

I know what you mean, but the sentence is not correct. It means as if the parallel and perpendicular components of the force vector would be i+j and i-j. You have to find the force component parallel with the direction of motion , say v and perpendicular to it. The direction of the motion is parallel to i+j and i-j is perpendicular to it.

using projection of F onto the parallel and orthogonal /onto the direction of v and onto the direction orthogonal to v

\frac{<1,1>\cdot<2,1>}{||<1,1>||^2}<1,1> = <\frac{3}{2}, \frac{3}{2} >

\frac{<1,-1>\cdot<2,1>}{||<1,-1>||^2}<1,-1> = <\frac{1}{2} , \frac{-1}{2}>

\vec{F} = <\frac{3}{2}, \frac{3}{2} > + <\frac{1}{2}, \frac{-1}{2} >

= 2\hat{i} + 1\hat{j}

The result is correct.

ehild

 

[jonroberts74]

Out of curiosity, what is the i+j direction? Do you mean the positive x and y directions? Where is the object exactly?

I'm assuming a few things here, but:

Place the force vector $\vec F = 2 \hat i + 1 \hat j$ at the position of the object; Then find a unit vector $\vec u$ in the direction of the object (using a position vector $\vec r$).

Use $\vec F$ and $\vec u$ to find the parallel projection $F_{||}$ (by using the dot product). Take a moment to express the parallel component in vector form, $\vec F_{||}$, by using $\vec u$.

The perpendicular component is easily obtained by geometry afterwards, i.e:

$\vec F_{\perp} = \vec F - \vec F_{||}$

thats the only information given. this is in a calc class not a physics class so like most math classes they give the bare minimum with physics problems

 

[jonroberts74]

I know what you mean, but the sentence is not correct. It means as if the parallel and perpendicular components of the force vector would be i+j and i-j. You have to find the force component parallel with the direction of motion , say v and perpendicular to it. The direction of the motion is parallel to i+j and i-j is perpendicular to it.



The result is correct.

ehild

yeah I typed the question word for word, not the best wording

 

[ehild]

yeah I typed the question word for word, not the best wording

The question was correct. It was the first sentence of your solution which was not.

ehild