Motion in two dimensions, in a plane
can be studied by expressing position,
velocity and acceleration as vectors in
Cartesian co-ordinates A^→ = A_x i^∧ + A_y j^∧
where i^∧ and j^∧ are unit vector along x
and y directions, respectively and A_x
and A_y are corresponding components
of A^→ (Figure). Motion can also be
studied by expressing vectors in circular
polar co-ordinates as A^→ = A_r r^∧ + A_θ θ^∧
where r^∧ = (r^→ /r) = cos θ i^∧ + sin θ j^∧ and θ^∧ =
−sin θ i^∧ + cos θ j^∧ are unit vectors along
direction in which ′r′ and ′θ′ are
increasing.
(a) Express i^∧ and j^∧ in terms of r^∧ and θ^∧
(b) Show that both r^∧ and θ^∧ are unit
vectors and are perpendicular to each
other.
(c) Show that (d/dt)(r^∧ ) = ωθ^∧ where
ω = (dθ/dt) and (d/dt)(θ^∧ ) = −ωr^∧
(d) For a particle moving along a spiral
given by r^→ = αθr^∧ , where α = 1 (unit),
find dimensions of ′α′.
(e) Find velocity and acceleration in
polar vector representation for particle
moving along spiral described in (d)
above.
|