A particle moves so that its position vector is given by r = t x + t y, where is a constant. Which of the following is true?
- Velocity is perpendicular to r and acceleration is directed towards the origin.
- Velocity is perpendicular to r and acceleration is directed away from the origin.
- Velocity and acceleration both are perpendicular to r
- Velocity and acceleration both are parallel to r
Answer
(1) Velocity is perpendicular to r and acceleration is directed towards the origin.
Solution
v = d rdt = (- t x + t y)
v r = (- t t + t t) = 0 ⇒ v r
a = d vdt = - 2( t x + t y) = - 2 r
∴ Acceleration is opposite to r, i.e. directed towards the origin (centripetal).
Answer: (1)