A particle moves in space so that its position at time seconds is given by the…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics C: Mechanics · Kinematics · Kinematics

Problem

A particle moves in space so that its position at time tt seconds is given by the vector-valued function r(t)=3 m(cos⁡(t)sin⁡(t)43t)\boldsymbol{r}(t)=3\,\text{m}\begin{pmatrix} \cos(t)\\ \sin(t)\\ \frac{4}{3}t \end{pmatrix} where the horizontal components are measured in metres and t≥0t\ge 0. (1) Part 1: (a) Calculate the particle’s velocity vector v(t)\boldsymbol{v}(t) and acceleration vector a(t)\boldsymbol{a}(t). (2) Part 2: (b) Show that the particle’s speed is the same for all values of tt, and determine its numerical value including units. (3) Part 3: (c) Determine whether the velocity vector is perpendicular to the acceleration vector for all tt. Justify your answer with an appropriate calculation. (4) Part 4: (d) Describe the geometric shape of the path traced by r(t)\boldsymbol{r}(t) and explain how your answers to parts (b) and (c) support your description.

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