This page covers the basics of working with the position, velocity and acceleration vector functions. The acceleration vector that you learn about on this page can be expressed in terms of the unit tangent vector and the principal unit normal vector, which you can find on the acceleration vector components page.
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Calculating The Velocity and Acceleration
Projectile motion using vector functions works just as you would expect. The following table lists the equations. If \(\vec{r}(t)\) is a vector function describing the position of a projectile, the velocity is \(\vec{v}(t)=\vec{r}'(t)\) and the acceleration is \(\vec{a}(t)=\vec{v}'(t)=\vec{r}''(t)\).
Position |
\(\vec{r}(t) =x(t)\vhat{i}+y(t)\vhat{j}+z(t)\vhat{k}\) |
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Velocity |
\(\vec{v}(t)=x'(t)\vhat{i}+y'(t)\vhat{j}+z'(t)\vhat{k}\) \(=\vec{r}'(t) \) |
Speed |
\(\| \vec{v}(t) \|\) |
Acceleration |
\(\vec{a}(t)=x''(t)\vhat{i}+y''(t)\vhat{j}+z''(t)\vhat{k}\) \(=\vec{v}'(t)\) \(=\vec{r}''(t)\) |
There are really no surprises here. Notice that the speed is just the magnitude of the velocity and so it's value is always a positive scalar. Some instructors use the terms speed and velocity interchangeably but they actually refer to different things.
Calculating The Position Vector
Sometimes we are given the acceleration vector or the velocity vector and asked to calculate the position vector. In those cases we use integration. As you would expect, to get the velocity vector from the acceleration vector, we use these equations.
Acceleration |
\(\vec{a}(t)=a_x(t)\vhat{i}+a_y(t)\vhat{j}+a_z(t)\vhat{k}\) |
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Velocity |
\(\vec{v}(t)=\int{a_x(t)~dt}\vhat{i} + \int{a_y(t)~dt}\vhat{j} + \int{a_z(t)~dt}\vhat{k} + \vec{C} =\) \(\int{\vec{a}(t)~dt} + \vec{C}\) |
Note - - In the equation for the velocity vector, the vector \(\vec{C}\) is the constant vector that we get when we do integration. The velocity vector could also be written
\(\vec{v}(t)=\left[ \int{a_x(t)~dt} + C_x \right] \vhat{i} +
\left[ \int{a_y(t)~dt} + C_y \right] \vhat{j} +
\left[ \int{a_z(t)~dt} + C_z \right] \vhat{k} \)
where \(\vec{C} = C_x\vhat{i} + C_y\vhat{j} + C_z\vhat{k}\).
Once we have the velocity vector (or if we are given the velocity vector), we can calculate the position vector. For the equations below, we assume the velocity vector is in the form \(\vec{v}(t) = v_x\vhat{i} + v_y\vhat{j} + v_z\vhat{k}\).
Velocity |
\(\vec{v}(t) = v_x\vhat{i} + v_y\vhat{j} + v_z\vhat{k}\) |
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Position |
\(\vec{r}(t) = \int{v_x~dt}\vhat{i} + \int{v_y~dt}\vhat{j} + \int{v_z~dt}\vhat{k} + \vec{K}\) |
In each of the above equations we end up with general constants, in our case \(\vec{C}\) and \(\vec{K}\). You will probably run across problems that give you information that you can use to find the actual values of these constants. Most of the time the information is given in the form of initial conditions, i.e. values of velocity and/or position at time \(t=0\). However, values at any other time will also allow you to find the constants. To do this, you substitute the value for time into the final equation and evaluate. Some practice problems demonstrate how to do this.
Acceleration Vector Components
The acceleration vector \(\vec{a}(t)= x''(t)\vhat{i}+y''(t)\vhat{j}+z''(t)\vhat{k}\) can be expressed in terms of two other unit vectors, the unit tangent vector and the principal unit normal vector. After working some practice problems, you need to learn how to calculate the other two unit vectors before learning how to write the acceleration using them.
Practice
Find velocity and acceleration vectors when \(t = 0\) for \( \vec{r}(t) = e^{2t}\hat{i} + e^{-t}\hat{j} \)
Problem Statement |
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Find velocity and acceleration vectors when \(t = 0\) for \( \vec{r}(t) = e^{2t}\hat{i} + e^{-t}\hat{j} \)
Final Answer |
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velocity | \( \vec{v}(0) = \vec{r}'(0) = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(0) = \vec{r}''(0) = 4\hat{i} + \hat{j} \) |
Problem Statement
Find velocity and acceleration vectors when \(t = 0\) for \( \vec{r}(t) = e^{2t}\hat{i} + e^{-t}\hat{j} \)
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
velocity | \( \vec{v}(0) = \vec{r}'(0) = 2\hat{i} - \hat{j} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(0) = \vec{r}''(0) = 4\hat{i} + \hat{j} \) |
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Find velocity and acceleration at \( t=3/4 \) for \( \vec{r}(t) = 3\cos(2\pi t)\hat{i} + \) \( 3\sin(2\pi t)\hat{j} \)
Problem Statement |
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Find velocity and acceleration at \( t=3/4 \) for \( \vec{r}(t) = 3\cos(2\pi t)\hat{i} + \) \( 3\sin(2\pi t)\hat{j} \)
Final Answer |
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velocity | \( \vec{r}'(3/4) = 6\pi \hat{i} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{r}''(3/4) = 12\pi^2\hat{j} \) |
Problem Statement
Find velocity and acceleration at \( t=3/4 \) for \( \vec{r}(t) = 3\cos(2\pi t)\hat{i} + \) \( 3\sin(2\pi t)\hat{j} \)
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
velocity | \( \vec{r}'(3/4) = 6\pi \hat{i} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{r}''(3/4) = 12\pi^2\hat{j} \) |
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As time \(t>0\) increases, a particle travels along the curve \( \mathcal{C} \) with position parameterized by \( \vec{r}(t) = 2(\cos t+t\sin t)\hat{i} + \) \( 2(\sin t-t\cos t)\hat{j} \). For each \(t>0\), compute the tangent (velocity) vector and the speed. What is the length of the curve which the particle travels over between \(t=0\) and \(t=4\pi\)?
Problem Statement |
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As time \(t>0\) increases, a particle travels along the curve \( \mathcal{C} \) with position parameterized by \( \vec{r}(t) = 2(\cos t+t\sin t)\hat{i} + \) \( 2(\sin t-t\cos t)\hat{j} \). For each \(t>0\), compute the tangent (velocity) vector and the speed. What is the length of the curve which the particle travels over between \(t=0\) and \(t=4\pi\)?
Hint |
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For the length of the curve, use the equation \( L = \int_{a}^{b}{ \sqrt{x'(t)^2 + y'(t)^2 } ~dt } \). See the vector functions arc length page for details.
Problem Statement
As time \(t>0\) increases, a particle travels along the curve \( \mathcal{C} \) with position parameterized by \( \vec{r}(t) = 2(\cos t+t\sin t)\hat{i} + \) \( 2(\sin t-t\cos t)\hat{j} \). For each \(t>0\), compute the tangent (velocity) vector and the speed. What is the length of the curve which the particle travels over between \(t=0\) and \(t=4\pi\)?
Hint
For the length of the curve, use the equation \( L = \int_{a}^{b}{ \sqrt{x'(t)^2 + y'(t)^2 } ~dt } \). See the vector functions arc length page for details.
Solution
In the middle of the video solution for this problem is a part that you were not asked to do in the problem statement, from about 8 minutes to about 10 and a half minutes in the video.
video by Dr Chris Tisdell |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i} + t^2\hat{j} + t^3\hat{k}\).
Problem Statement |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i} + t^2\hat{j} + t^3\hat{k}\).
Final Answer |
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velocity | \(\vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = \hat{i} + 2t\hat{j} + 3t^2\hat{k}\) |
acceleration | \(\vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = 2\hat{j} + 6t\hat{k}\) |
speed | \(\| \vec{v}(t) \| = \sqrt{1+4t^2+9t^4}\) |
Problem Statement
Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i} + t^2\hat{j} + t^3\hat{k}\).
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
velocity | \(\vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = \hat{i} + 2t\hat{j} + 3t^2\hat{k}\) |
acceleration | \(\vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = 2\hat{j} + 6t\hat{k}\) |
speed | \(\| \vec{v}(t) \| = \sqrt{1+4t^2+9t^4}\) |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i}+3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k}\).
Problem Statement |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i}+3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k}\).
Final Answer |
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velocity | \( \vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = \hat{i} + 3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = 3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k} \) |
speed | \( \| \vec{v}(t) \| = \sqrt{1+25e^{2t}} \) |
Problem Statement
Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \(\vec{r}(t) = t\hat{i}+3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k}\).
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
velocity | \( \vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = \hat{i} + 3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = 3e^t\hat{j} + 4e^t\hat{k} \) |
speed | \( \| \vec{v}(t) \| = \sqrt{1+25e^{2t}} \) |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \( \vec{r}(t) = (3\cos t)\hat{i} + \) \( (3\sin t)\hat{j} - 4t\hat{k} \).
Problem Statement |
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Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \( \vec{r}(t) = (3\cos t)\hat{i} + \) \( (3\sin t)\hat{j} - 4t\hat{k} \).
Final Answer |
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velocity | \( \vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = (-3\sin t)\hat{i} + (3\cos t)\hat{j} - 4\hat{k} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = (-3\cos t)\hat{i} - 3 \sin t \hat{j} \) |
speed | \( \| \vec{v}(t) \| = 5 \) |
Problem Statement
Find velocity, acceleration and speed for the position function \( \vec{r}(t) = (3\cos t)\hat{i} + \) \( (3\sin t)\hat{j} - 4t\hat{k} \).
Solution
video by Krista King Math |
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Final Answer
velocity | \( \vec{v}(t) = \vec{r}'(t) = (-3\sin t)\hat{i} + (3\cos t)\hat{j} - 4\hat{k} \) |
acceleration | \( \vec{a}(t) = \vec{r}''(t) = (-3\cos t)\hat{i} - 3 \sin t \hat{j} \) |
speed | \( \| \vec{v}(t) \| = 5 \) |
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For the position function \(\vec{r}(t)=\langle t-\sin t,1-\cos t\rangle\), find the velocity and acceleration vectors at the point \((\pi,2)\).
Problem Statement |
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For the position function \(\vec{r}(t)=\langle t-\sin t,1-\cos t\rangle\), find the velocity and acceleration vectors at the point \((\pi,2)\).
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{v}(\pi) = \langle 2,0\rangle \); \( \vec{a}(\pi) = \langle 0,-1 \rangle \)
Problem Statement
For the position function \(\vec{r}(t)=\langle t-\sin t,1-\cos t\rangle\), find the velocity and acceleration vectors at the point \((\pi,2)\).
Solution
The equations we need are \(\vec{v}(t)=\vec{r}'(t)\) and \(\vec{a}(t)=\vec{v}'(t)\). So the velocity vector is \(\vec{v}(t)=\langle 1-\cos t, \sin t\rangle\).
Now we need to find t. We are given the point \((\pi,2)\) on the position vector. So we have two equations we can use to find t,
\(t-\sin t=\pi\) and \(1-\cos t=2\). The second one is easier to solve for t, so we have
\(1-\cos t=2 \to \) \(\cos t=-1 \to \) \(t=\pi\)
Just to double-check, if we let \(t=\pi\) in the equation \(t-\sin t=\pi\), the answer checks.
So \(\vec{v}(\pi)=\langle 1-\cos \pi, \sin\pi\rangle\) giving us \(\vec{v}(\pi)=\langle 2,0 \rangle\).
To get the acceleration vector, we take the derivative of the velocity vector, i.e. \(\vec{a}(t)=\vec{v}'(t)\). So \(\vec{a}(t)=\langle \sin t, \cos t\rangle\) and at the point \((\pi,2)\) the acceleration vector is \(\vec{a}(\pi)=\langle 0,-1\rangle\).
Although the problem statement did not ask for a graph, here is a graph of the position function, the velocity vector and the acceleration vector.
Final Answer
\( \vec{v}(\pi) = \langle 2,0\rangle \); \( \vec{a}(\pi) = \langle 0,-1 \rangle \)
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Find the position vector function \(\vec{r}(t)\) for a particle with acceleration \(\vec{a}(t) = \langle 2t,2\sin(t),\cos(4t)\rangle\), initial velocity \(\vec{v}(0)=\langle 1,-3,2\rangle\) and initial position \(\vec{r}(0)=\langle 2,4,-1\rangle\).
Problem Statement |
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Find the position vector function \(\vec{r}(t)\) for a particle with acceleration \(\vec{a}(t) = \langle 2t,2\sin(t),\cos(4t)\rangle\), initial velocity \(\vec{v}(0)=\langle 1,-3,2\rangle\) and initial position \(\vec{r}(0)=\langle 2,4,-1\rangle\).
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle (1/3)t^3+t+2, \) \( -2\sin(t)-t+4, \) \( (-1/16)\cos(4t)+2t-15/16\rangle \)
Problem Statement
Find the position vector function \(\vec{r}(t)\) for a particle with acceleration \(\vec{a}(t) = \langle 2t,2\sin(t),\cos(4t)\rangle\), initial velocity \(\vec{v}(0)=\langle 1,-3,2\rangle\) and initial position \(\vec{r}(0)=\langle 2,4,-1\rangle\).
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( \vec{r}(t) = \langle (1/3)t^3+t+2, \) \( -2\sin(t)-t+4, \) \( (-1/16)\cos(4t)+2t-15/16\rangle \)
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Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=1\) given by the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = t\vhat{i} + (-0.5t^2+4)\vhat{j} \).
Problem Statement |
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Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=1\) given by the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = t\vhat{i} + (-0.5t^2+4)\vhat{j} \).
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{v}(1)=\langle 1,-1 \rangle\), speed=\(\sqrt{2} \), \( \vec{a}(1)=\langle 0,-1 \rangle \)
Problem Statement
Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=1\) given by the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = t\vhat{i} + (-0.5t^2+4)\vhat{j} \).
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( \vec{v}(1)=\langle 1,-1 \rangle\), speed=\(\sqrt{2} \), \( \vec{a}(1)=\langle 0,-1 \rangle \)
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Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=2\) for the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = \cos(\pi t)\vhat{i} + \sin(\pi t)\vhat{j} + \) \( (t^2/2)\vhat{k} \)
Problem Statement |
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Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=2\) for the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = \cos(\pi t)\vhat{i} + \sin(\pi t)\vhat{j} + \) \( (t^2/2)\vhat{k} \)
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{v}(2) = \langle 0,\pi,2 \rangle \), speed = \( \sqrt{\pi^2+4} \), \( \vec{a}(2) = \langle -\pi^2,0,1 \rangle \)
Problem Statement
Determine the velocity vector, speed and acceleration vector of an object when \(t=2\) for the position vector \( \vec{r}(t) = \cos(\pi t)\vhat{i} + \sin(\pi t)\vhat{j} + \) \( (t^2/2)\vhat{k} \)
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( \vec{v}(2) = \langle 0,\pi,2 \rangle \), speed = \( \sqrt{\pi^2+4} \), \( \vec{a}(2) = \langle -\pi^2,0,1 \rangle \)
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Find the velocity and acceleration vectors and speed of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t,-3t^2,4t^4+3 \rangle \) at \(t=1\).
Problem Statement |
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Find the velocity and acceleration vectors and speed of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t,-3t^2,4t^4+3 \rangle \) at \(t=1\).
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{v}(t) = \langle -5,-6,16\rangle\), \( \vec{a}(t) = \langle 0,-6,48 \rangle \), speed = \( \sqrt{317} \)
Problem Statement
Find the velocity and acceleration vectors and speed of the vector function \( \vec{r}(t) = \langle -5t,-3t^2,4t^4+3 \rangle \) at \(t=1\).
Solution
video by MIP4U |
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Final Answer
\( \vec{v}(t) = \langle -5,-6,16\rangle\), \( \vec{a}(t) = \langle 0,-6,48 \rangle \), speed = \( \sqrt{317} \)
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A car travels with a velocity vector given by \( \vec{v}(t) = \langle t^2,e^t+1 \rangle \), where t is measured in seconds and the vector components are measured in feet. If the initial position of the car is \( \vec{r}(0) = \langle 1,3 \rangle \), find the position of the car after one second.
Problem Statement |
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A car travels with a velocity vector given by \( \vec{v}(t) = \langle t^2,e^t+1 \rangle \), where t is measured in seconds and the vector components are measured in feet. If the initial position of the car is \( \vec{r}(0) = \langle 1,3 \rangle \), find the position of the car after one second.
Final Answer |
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\( \vec{r}(1) = \langle 4/3, e+3 \rangle \) feet
Problem Statement
A car travels with a velocity vector given by \( \vec{v}(t) = \langle t^2,e^t+1 \rangle \), where t is measured in seconds and the vector components are measured in feet. If the initial position of the car is \( \vec{r}(0) = \langle 1,3 \rangle \), find the position of the car after one second.
Solution
video by PatrickJMT |
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Final Answer
\( \vec{r}(1) = \langle 4/3, e+3 \rangle \) feet
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A particle moves along a curve whose parametric equations are \( x(t) = e^{-t}\), \( y(t) = 2\cos(3t) \), \( z(t) = 2\sin(3t) \). (a) Determine the velocity and acceleration vectors.
(b) Find the magnitude of the velocity (speed) and acceleration at \(t=0\).
Problem Statement |
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A particle moves along a curve whose parametric equations are \( x(t) = e^{-t}\), \( y(t) = 2\cos(3t) \), \( z(t) = 2\sin(3t) \). (a) Determine the velocity and acceleration vectors.
(b) Find the magnitude of the velocity (speed) and acceleration at \(t=0\).
Final Answer |
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(a) \( \vec{v}(t) = -e^{-t}\vhat{i} - 6\sin(3t)\vhat{j} + 6\cos(3t)\vhat{k} \); \( \vec{a}(t) = e^{-t}\vhat{i} - 18\cos(3t)\vhat{j} - 18\sin(3t)\vhat{k} \)
(b) \( \|\vec{v}(0)\| = \sqrt{37} \); \( \|\vec{a}(0)\| = 5\sqrt{13} \)
Problem Statement
A particle moves along a curve whose parametric equations are \( x(t) = e^{-t}\), \( y(t) = 2\cos(3t) \), \( z(t) = 2\sin(3t) \). (a) Determine the velocity and acceleration vectors.
(b) Find the magnitude of the velocity (speed) and acceleration at \(t=0\).
Solution
video by Dr Chris Tisdell |
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Final Answer
(a) \( \vec{v}(t) = -e^{-t}\vhat{i} - 6\sin(3t)\vhat{j} + 6\cos(3t)\vhat{k} \); \( \vec{a}(t) = e^{-t}\vhat{i} - 18\cos(3t)\vhat{j} - 18\sin(3t)\vhat{k} \)
(b) \( \|\vec{v}(0)\| = \sqrt{37} \); \( \|\vec{a}(0)\| = 5\sqrt{13} \)
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Given the velocity of a particle is given by \(\langle e^t + 2t, 3t^2+1, 2\cos(2t) \rangle\) and at time \(t=0\) the particle is at position \(\langle 2,0,-1\rangle\), then determine the position of the particle at time \(t=2\).
Problem Statement
Given the velocity of a particle is given by \(\langle e^t + 2t, 3t^2+1, 2\cos(2t) \rangle\) and at time \(t=0\) the particle is at position \(\langle 2,0,-1\rangle\), then determine the position of the particle at time \(t=2\).
Solution
video by Steve Butler |
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