University of Halabja

Department of Civil Engineering

2nd Stage; 1st Semester

Subject: Mathematics III

Lecturer's name: Dr. Nasih Habeeb Askandar

Academic Year: 2020/2021

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Lecture 2 / Position, velocity, acceleration and speed:

Scalar and Vector:

• Quantities which have only magnitude and no
Scalar
direction. For example: Distance, Mass, Speed.

Vector • Quantities which have magnitude and direction.

For example: Displacement, Weight, Velocity.

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 Vector:

The velocity vector of a particle moving along a path (a) in the plane (b) in space. The arrowhead on the path
indicates the direction of motion of the particle.
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 A vector 𝑃𝑄 in standard position has its initial

point at the origin. The directed line segments

𝑃𝑄 and v are parallel and have the same

length.

We call the scalar (or number) 𝑣1 the i-component of

the vector 𝒗 , 𝑣2 the j-component, and 𝑣3 the

k-component. In component form, the vector from

𝑃1 𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 to 𝑃2 𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 is

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A curve in space can also be represented in vector form. When we have a particle
moves through space during a time. The vector or the curve in space that we call the
particle’s path is:

r(t) = x(t)i + y(t)j + z(t)k

From the origin to the particle’s position x(t), y(t), z(t)) at time t is the particle’s
position vector, We think of the particle’s path as the curve traced by r during the
time interval.
𝒅𝒓
=𝒗 is the velocity of a moving body or the particle’s velocity vector, tangent to
𝒅𝒕
𝒅𝟐 𝒓 𝒅𝒗
the curve. = =a is the acceleration.
𝒅𝒕𝟐 𝒅𝒕

𝒗 : length of the velocity vector is the particle’s speed .

𝒗
: direction of velocity vector(direction of motion at time t).
𝒗

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Example/ Find the velocity, speed, and acceleration of a particle whose motion in space is given
by the position vector r( t) = 2 cos t i + 2 sin t j + 5 cos 2t k. Find the speed at t = 7𝜋/4.

Solution The velocity and acceleration vectors at time t are:

and the speed is

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H.W.: A person on a hang glider is spiraling upward due

to rapidly rising air on a path having position vector

R(t) = (3 cos t)i+(3 sin t)j +𝑡 2 k

The path is similar to that of a helix (although it’s not a helix)

For 0≤ 𝑡 ≤ 4𝜋.

Find:

(a) the velocity and acceleration vectors,

(b) the glider’s speed at any time t, and at 𝑡 = 2𝜋

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 Than you for your attention

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