If a curve has the property that the position vector

Julia White

Julia White

Answered question

2021-12-20

If a curve has the property that the position vector r(t) is always perpendicular to the tangent vector r(t), show that the curve lies on a sphere with center the origin.

Answer & Explanation

kaluitagf

kaluitagf

Beginner2021-12-21Added 38 answers

r(t)×r(t)=0 for all tR
d(r(t)×r(t)) dt =r(t)×r(t)+r(t)×r(t)=2×r(t)×r(t)=0
d(r(t)2)dt=0
⇒∥r(t)2 is constant, r(t) also a constant. Let K be the constant such that r(t)∥=K.r(t)2=K2
x, y, z are the components of vector function r(t),
x2+y2+z2=K2, a sphere centered at (0, 0, 0) and with radius K
r(t)=x(t), y(t), z(t) such that, r(t)∥=x2+y2+z2
⇒∥r(t)2=x2+y2+z2
The curve r(t) must be a sphere centered at origin.

zurilomk4

zurilomk4

Beginner2021-12-22Added 35 answers

Let r(t) be r(t)=x(t), y(t), z(t) then,
|r(t)|=x2+y2+z2
|r(t)|2=x2+y2+z2

Since the position vector r(t) is always perpendicular to the tangent vector r(t)
r(t)×r(t)=0
2×r(t)×r(t)=2×0
2×r(t)×r(t)=0
d dt (|r(t)|2)=0
d dt (|r(t)|2)=0
|r(t)|2=c
So |r(t)|=c then x2+y2+z2=c, the position vector of the curve is a constant that is the distance is same in all directions.
So, the curve lies on a sphere whose centre is origin.

nick1337

nick1337

Expert2021-12-27Added 777 answers

r(t)×r(t)=0
(r(t)×r(t))=2r(t)×r(t)=0
r(t)2=r(t)×r(t)=c
for some constant c
The curve lies on:
x2+y2+z2=c

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