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We know that the velocity of a particle is a vector tangent to the path of the particle but
that, in general, the acceleration is not tangent to the path. It is sometimes convenient to
resolve the acceleration into components directed, respectively, along the tangent and the
normal to the path of the particle.
2
lim
Thus, the vector obtained in the limit is a unit vector along the normal to the path of the
particle, in the direction toward which turns. Denoting this unit vector by , we write
= lim
=
Since the velocity v of the particle is tangent to the path, it can be expressed as the product
of the scalar and the unit vector . We have
=
To obtain the acceleration of the particle, the equation above will be differentiated with
respect to time t. Applying the rule of differentiation of the product of a scalar and a vector
function, we write
=
=
+
But
=
Recalling that = , that = , and from
elementary calculus that is equal to 1, where is
the radius of curvature of the path at P (Fig. 11.22), we have
=
Thus, we have
2
=
+
Thus the scalar components of acceleration are
=
We conclude from the above that the tangential component of the acceleration reflects a
change in the speed of the particle, while its normal component reflects a change in the
direction of motion of the particle. The acceleration of a particle will be zero only if both its
components are zero. Thus, the acceleration of a particle moving with constant speed along
a curve will not be zero unless the particle happens to pass through a point of inflection of
the curve (where the radius of curvature is infinite) or unless the curve is a straight line.
Reference:
Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R., Cornwell, (2013) P.J. Vector Mechanics For Engineers DYNAMICS.
Philippines: McGraw-Hill Education.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 17
A motorist is traveling on a curved section of highway of radius 750 m at the speed of 90
km/h. The motorist suddenly applies the brakes, causing the automobile to slow down at a
constant rate. Knowing that after 8 s the speed has been reduced to 72 km/h, determine the
acceleration of the automobile immediately after the brakes have been applied.
EXAMPLE 18
Determine the minimum radius of curvature of the trajectory in Example 13.
Example 13
A projectile is fired from the edge of a 150-m cliff with an initial velocity of 180 m/s at an
angle of 30o with the horizontal.
EXAMPLE 19
A motorist starts from rest at point A on a circular entrance ramp when t = 0, increases the
speed of her automobile at a constant rate and enters the highway at point B. Knowing that
her speed continues to increase at the same rate until it reaches 100 km/h at point C,
determine
a) the speed at point B,
b) the magnitude of the total acceleration when t = 20 s.