Math 2011-Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (Edited by Dr.
Hon-Ming HO)
Practice Exercises 5: Vector Functions, Ideal Projectile Motions
Exercise 1:
Let 𝑟⃑(𝑡) be the position of a moving particle in 3-space at time 𝑡 . Find the particle’s velocity and acceleration vectors. Write the
particle’s velocity at the given time as the product of its speed and direction.
4𝑡 𝜋
1. ⃑⃑ ; 𝑡 =
𝑟⃑(𝑡) = (sec 𝑡)𝑖⃑ + (tan 𝑡)𝑗⃑ + ( ) 𝑘 .
3 6
2. ⃑⃑ ; 𝑡 = 0 .
𝑟⃑(𝑡) = (𝑒 −𝑡 )𝑖⃑ + (2 cos(3𝑡))𝑗⃑ + (2 sin(3𝑡))𝑘
Solution to Exercise 1:
𝑑𝑟⃑ 4
Part 1. We note that the velocity function of the moving particle is given by 𝑣⃑(𝑡) = ⃑⃑ which
= (sec 𝑡)(tan 𝑡)𝑖⃑ + (𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑡)𝑗⃑ + ( ) 𝑘
𝑑𝑡 3
𝑑𝑣⃑⃑ 𝑑 2 𝑟⃑
implies that 𝑎⃑(𝑡) = = = (sec 𝑡 tan 𝑡 + 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑡)𝑖⃑ +2 3 (2𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 ⃑⃑ . Thus the speed at time 𝑡 = 𝜋 is given by
𝑡 tan 𝑡 )𝑗⃑ + (0)𝑘
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2 6
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 4
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 2 𝜋 2 4 2 𝑣⃑ ( ) (sec tan ) 𝑖⃑ + (𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 ) 𝑗⃑ + ( ) 𝑘⃑⃑ 1 2 2
|𝑣⃑ ( )| = √(sec tan ) + (𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 ) + ( ) = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 direction ∶ 6 = 6 6 6 3 = 𝑖⃑ + 𝑗⃑ + 𝑘⃑⃑ .
6 6 6 6 3 𝜋 2 3 3 3
|𝑣⃑ ( )|
6
𝜋
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝑣⃑⃑( 6 ) 1 2 2
Thus the velocity at time 𝑡 = is given by 𝑣⃑ ( ) = |𝑣⃑ ( )| ∙ 𝜋 = 2 ( 𝑖⃑ + 𝑗⃑ + 𝑘⃑⃑) .
6 6 6 |𝑣⃑⃑( )| 3 3 3
6
𝑑𝑟⃑
Part 2. We note that the velocity function if the moving particle is given by 𝑣⃑(𝑡) = ⃑⃑
= (−𝑒 −𝑡 )𝑖⃑ + (−6 sin(3𝑡))𝑗⃑ + (6 cos(3𝑡))𝑘
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑣⃑⃑ 𝑑 2 𝑟⃑
which implies that 𝑎⃑(𝑡) = = ⃑⃑ . The speed at time 𝑡 = 0 is given by
= (𝑒 −𝑡 )𝑖⃑ + (−18 cos(3𝑡))𝑗⃑ + (−18 sin(3𝑡))𝑘
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2
𝑣⃑(0) (−𝑒 −0 )𝑖⃑ + (−6 sin(0))𝑗⃑ + (6 cos(0))𝑘⃑⃑
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑0)| = √(−𝑒 −0 )2 + (−6 sin(0))2 + (6 cos(0))2 = √37 and direction:
|𝑣( =
|𝑣⃑(0)| √37
−1 6
= 𝑖⃑ + 𝑘⃑⃑ .
√37 √37
𝑣⃑⃑(0) −1 6
Thus velocity at time 𝑡 = 0 is given by 𝑣⃑(0) = |𝑣⃑(0)| ∙ |𝑣⃑⃑(0)| = √37 ( ⃑𝑖 + ⃑𝑘⃑) .
√37 √37
Exercise 2:
⃑⃑ be the position of a moving particle in 3-space at time 𝑡 . Find the angle
Let 𝑟⃑(𝑡) = (ln |1 + 𝑡 2 |)𝑖⃑ + (tan−1 𝑡)𝑗⃑ + (√𝑡 2 + 1)𝑘
between the velocity and acceleration vectors at time 𝑡 = 0 .
Solution to Exercise 2:
1) Things to do: Find the velocity vector by differentiating the position vector one time with respect to time 𝑡 . Then plug the
given time into 𝑣⃑(𝑡) . In this example, we obtain
𝑑𝑟⃑ 2𝑡 1 𝑡
𝑣⃑(𝑡) = =( ) 𝑖⃑ + ( ) 𝑗⃑ + ( )𝑘⃑⃑ ⟹ 𝑣⃑(0) = 𝑗⃑ .
𝑑𝑡 1+𝑡 2 1+𝑡 2
√𝑡 2 + 1
2) Things to do: Find the acceleration vector by differentiating the velocity vector one time with respect to time 𝑡 . Then plug
the given time into 𝑎⃑(𝑡) . In this example, we obtain
𝑑𝑣⃑ 𝑑 2 𝑟⃑ 𝑑 2𝑡 1 𝑡 −2𝑡 2 + 2 −2𝑡 1
𝑎⃑(𝑡) = = 2 = [( ) 𝑖
⃑ + ( ) 𝑗
⃑ + ( ) ⃑⃑] = (
𝑘 ) 𝑖⃑ + ( ) 𝑗⃑ + ( 2 ⃑⃑ .
)𝑘
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 1 + 𝑡 2 1+𝑡 2
√𝑡 2 + 1
2
(1 + 𝑡 ) 2 2
(1 + 𝑡 )2 (𝑡 + 1)3/2
Thus we have 𝑎⃑(0) = 2𝑖⃑ + 𝑘 ⃑⃑ .
3) Things to do: Using dot product of 𝑣⃑(𝑡) and 𝑎⃑(𝑡) to compute the desired angle. Recall that
𝑣⃑(0) ⦁ 𝑎⃑(0) (𝑗⃑)⦁(2𝑖⃑ + 𝑘 ⃑⃑ ) 𝜋
cos 𝜃 = = =0 ⟹ 𝜃= .
|𝑣⃑(0)||𝑎⃑(0)| ⃑⃑
|𝑗⃑||2𝑖⃑ + 𝑘| 2
Practice Exercises 5-page 1
Exercise 3:
⃑⃑ be the position of a moving particle in 3-space at time 𝑡 . Find parametric
Let 𝑟⃑(𝑡) = (ln |1 + 𝑡 2 |)𝑖⃑ + (tan−1 𝑡)𝑗⃑ + (√𝑡 2 + 1)𝑘
equations of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑟⃑(𝑡) at time 𝑡 = 0 .
Solution to Exercise 3:
Notice that every line in 3-space is determined by (1) a vector which is parallel to the line, (2) a point lying on the straight line.
1) Things to do: Find a vector which is parallel to the concerned tangent line. In this example, the tangent vector 𝑟⃑ ′ (0) =
𝑑𝑟⃑ 𝑑𝑟⃑ 𝑑𝐹1 𝑑𝐹2 𝑑𝐹3 2𝑡
𝑣⃑(0) = (0) is parallel to the tangent line. By definition, we have 𝑟⃑ ′ (𝑡) = 𝑣⃑(𝑡) = ≝< , , >= ( ) 𝑖⃑ +
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 1+𝑡 2
1 𝑡
( ) 𝑗⃑ + ( ⃑⃑ . Hence
)𝑘
1+𝑡 2 √𝑡 2+1
𝑑𝑟⃑
𝑟⃑ ′ (0) = 𝑣⃑(0) =
(0) = 𝑗⃗ .
𝑑𝑡
2) Things to do: Find a point lying on the concerned tangent line. In this example, the concerned tangent line passes through
the point 𝑟⃗(0) =< 𝟎 , 𝟎 , 𝟏 > .
The vector equation of the tangent line is given by ⃑⃑⃑⃗
𝑟0 + 𝑡𝑣⃗(0) =< 𝟎 , 𝟎 , 𝟏 > +𝑡 < 𝟎 , 𝟏 , 𝟎 > . The parametric equations of the
tangent line are given by
𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝟎 +(𝟎)𝑡
𝑦 = 𝑦(𝑡) = 𝟎 +(𝟏)𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 − ∞ < 𝑡 < ∞ .
𝑧 = 𝑧(𝑡) = 𝟏 +(𝟎)𝑡
Exercise 4:
A particle moves along the top of the parabola 𝑦2 = 2𝑥 from left to right at a constant speed of 5 units per second. Find the
velocity of the particle as it moves through the point (2 ,2) .
Solution to Exercise 4:
How do we enter into vectorial perspective?
𝒚 𝒚
(𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡))
Enter into vectorial perspective.
𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) >
𝒙 𝒙
Point (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) is the location of the moving particle Point (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) is treated as the terminal point of the
at time 𝑡 . position vector 𝑟⃑(𝑡) of the particle at time 𝑡 .
𝒚 𝒚
Curve 𝑪 Curve 𝑪
Enter into vectorial perspective. 𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) >
𝒙 𝒙
The curve 𝐶 is treated as the curve traced out by the
Curve 𝐶 above is the locus ( 軌跡 ) of the moving
position vector 𝑟⃑(𝑡) of the particle as time 𝑡 varies. The
particle as time varies. The curve 𝐶 is the top part of the
curve 𝐶 can be regarded as the graph of the vector
parabola 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 .
function 𝑟⃑(𝑡) .
Practice Exercises 5-page 2
Original Assumptions: Vectorial Assumptions:
Enter into vectorial perspective.
(1) A particle moves along the top of the parabola (1’) The position vector of the particle at time 𝑡 is given
𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) >
from ….. where both component functions 𝑥(𝑡) and 𝑦(𝑡)
2
satisfy equation (𝑦(𝑡)) = 2𝑥(𝑡) . Besides, they
are positive 𝑥(𝑡) > 0 and 𝑦(𝑡) > 0 .
Enter into vectorial perspective.
(2) ….. …..particle as it moves through the point (2 ,2) . (2') For a certain moment 𝑡 = 𝑡0 , the position vector is
given by 𝑟⃑(𝑡0 ) =< 𝑥(𝑡0 ) , 𝑦(𝑡0 ) >=< 2,2 > .
Enter into vectorial perspective. 𝑑 𝑟⃑ 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
(3) …..from left to right at a constant speed of 5 units (3') |𝑟⃑′(𝑡)| = | | = 5 and >0 , >0 .
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
per second.
Original things to find: Vectorial things to find:
Find the velocity of the particle as it moves through the Enter into vectorial perspective. Find 𝑟⃑ ′(𝑡0 ) =< 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) , 𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 ) > . Determine the values
point (2 ,2) . of both components of 𝑟⃑ ′(𝑡0 ) .
𝑑𝑟⃑
Things to do: To determine the values of both components of 𝑟⃑ ′(𝑡0 ) = (𝑡0 ) =< 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) , 𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 ) > , we need to establish
𝑑𝑡
two equations in unknowns 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) and 𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 ) . Then solve the two obtained equations. In this example, the vectorial
2 2
assumption (3’) already recorded the 1st equation √(𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 )) + (𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 )) = 5 . To obtain the 2nd equation, we use the
2
vectorial assumption (1’). We differentiate equation (𝑦(𝑡)) = 2𝑥(𝑡) on both sides and then plug 𝑡 = 𝑡0 .
𝑑 2 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
[(𝑦(𝑡)) ] = [2𝑥(𝑡)] ⟹ 2𝑦(𝑡) =2 ⟹ 𝑦(𝑡0 )𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 ) = 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) ⟹ 𝟐𝒚′ (𝒕𝟎 ) = 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) .
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Then plug the 2nd equation into the 1st equation, we have
2 2
√(𝟐𝒚′ (𝒕𝟎 )) + (𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 )) = 5 ⟹ (√5) ∙ |𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 )| = 5 ⟹ 𝑦 ′ (𝑡0 ) = √5 ⟹ 𝑥 ′ (𝑡0 ) = 2√5 .
Conclusion: the velocity vector of the particle as it moves through point (2,2) is given by 2√5 𝑖⃑ + √5𝑗⃑ .
Exercise 5:
Suppose that a very small particle is emitted from the origin at time 𝑡 = 0 . Assume that the motion of the particle is in a vertical
coordinate plane and the only force acting on the projectile during its flight is the constant force of gravity, which always points
straight down. Besides, we assume that when 𝑡 = 0 , the projectile’s launch angle is angle 𝛼 , making angle 𝛼 with the horizontal
axis. Also, the initial speed of the projectile is given by 𝑠0 . Find equations for the projectile motion.
Solution to Exercise 5:
How do we enter into vectorial perspective?
𝒚 𝒚
(𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡))
Enter into vectorial perspective.
𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) >
𝒙 𝒙
Point (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) is the location of the moving particle Point (𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡)) is treated as the terminal point of the
at time 𝑡 . position vector 𝑟⃑(𝑡) of the particle at time 𝑡 .
Practice Exercises 5-page 3
𝒚 𝒚
Curve 𝑪 Curve 𝑪
Enter into vectorial perspective. 𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) >
𝒙 𝒙
The curve 𝐶 above is treated as the curve traced by the
Curve 𝐶 above is the locus ( 軌跡 ) of the moving
position vector 𝑟⃑(𝑡) of the moving particle as time varies.
particle as time varies.
Original Assumptions: Vectorial Assumptions:
Enter into vectorial perspective.
(1) A very small particle is emitted from the origin at (1’) The position vector of the particle at 𝑡 = 0 is given
time 𝑡 = 0 . 𝑟⃑(0) =< 𝑥(0) , 𝑦(0) >=< 0 ,0 > .
Enter into vectorial perspective.
(2) The initial speed is given by 𝑠0 . (2') When 𝑡 = 0 , we have |𝑟⃑ ′(0)| = 𝑠0 .
(3) When 𝑡 = 0 , the projectile’s launch angle is angle (3') The unit vector showing the direction of the initial
𝛼 , making angle 𝛼 with the horizontal axis. velocity of the projectile motion is given by
𝑣⃑(0) 𝑟⃑ ′(0)
= =< cos 𝛼 , sin 𝛼 > .
|𝑣⃑(0)| |𝑟⃑ ′(0)|
Enter into vectorial perspective.
(4) …..the only force acting on the projectile…..is the (4') Let 𝐹⃑ (𝑡) be the total force acting on the particle at
constant force of gravity, which always points time 𝑡 . Thus we have 𝐹⃑ (𝑡) = −𝑚𝑔 𝑗⃑ where 𝑔
straight down. stands for the gravitation constant ≈ 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 . By
the Newton’s 2nd law, the total force
𝑑 2 𝑟⃑
𝐹⃑ (𝑡) = 𝑚 2 .
𝑑𝑡
Things to do: Establish a differential equation for the unknown position vector 𝑟⃑(𝑡) =< 𝑥(𝑡) , 𝑦(𝑡) > which satisfies two
𝑑𝑟⃑
initial conditions: (1) 𝑟⃑(0) =< 0 ,0 > and (2) 𝑟⃑′ (0) = (0) = (𝑠0 cos 𝛼)𝑖⃑ + (𝑠0 sin 𝛼)𝑗⃑ .
𝑑𝑡
2
𝑑 𝑟⃑ 𝑑 2 𝑟⃑
𝑚 = ⃑ (𝑡) = −𝑚𝑔 𝑗⃑ ⟹
𝐹 = −𝑔𝑗⃑ .
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡 2
Integrate the last differential equation with respect to time 𝑡 , we obtain
𝑑𝑟⃑ 𝑑 2 𝑟⃑
𝑟⃑′ (𝑡) = = ∫ 2 𝑑𝑡 = ∫(−𝑔𝑗⃑) 𝑑𝑡 = −𝑔𝑡 𝑗⃑ + ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 𝐶1 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 𝐶1 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑟⃑′ (0) .
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Plug 𝑡 = 0 into the equation above, we obtain ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 𝐶1 = 𝑟⃑ ′ (0) = (𝑠0 cos 𝛼)𝑖⃑ + (𝑠0 sin 𝛼)𝑗⃑ .
Performing integration one more time, we obtain
𝑑𝑟⃑ −𝑔𝑡 2
𝑟⃑(𝑡) = ∫ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫(−𝑔𝑡 𝑗⃑ + 𝑟⃑ ′ (0) ) 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑗⃑ + 𝑡 𝑟⃑′ (0) + ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝐶2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 𝐶2 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 .
𝑑𝑡 2
Plug 𝑡 = 0 into the equation above, we obtain ⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ 𝐶2 = 𝑟⃑(0) = (0)𝑖⃑ + (0)𝑗⃑ . Hence the vector equation describing the
projectile motion is given by
−𝑔𝑡 2 −𝑔𝑡 2 𝑔𝑡 2
𝑟⃑(𝑡) = 𝑗⃑ + 𝑡 𝑟⃑ ′ (0) + ⃑0⃑ = 𝑗⃑ + (𝑡 𝑠0 cos 𝛼)𝑖⃑ + (𝑡 𝑠0 sin 𝛼)𝑗⃑ = (𝑡 𝑠0 cos 𝛼)𝑖⃑ + (𝑡 𝑠0 sin 𝛼 − ) 𝑗⃑ .
2 2 2
Practice Exercises 5-page 4
