Math Problem Statement
The Moon orbits the Earth in an approximately circular path. The position of the moon as a function of time is given by: x(t) = r cos(𝜔t) y(t) = r sin(𝜔t) where r = 3.84 108 m and 𝜔 = 2.46 10-6 radians/s. What is the average velocity of the Moon measured over the interval from t = 0 to t = 6.9 days? Find its magnitude and direction, given as an angle measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. magnitude m/s direction ° counterclockwise from the +x-axis
Solution
The position of the Moon as a function of time is given by the parametric equations:
Where:
Step 1: Convert the time interval to seconds
The given time interval is . We first need to convert this into seconds:
Step 2: Determine the positions at and days
At , the position of the Moon is:
At , the position of the Moon is: Substitute .
Step 3: Calculate the displacement vector
The displacement vector over the time interval is:
Step 4: Compute the average velocity
The average velocity magnitude is given by:
Where converted to seconds.
Step 5: Direction of the average velocity
The direction is the angle of the displacement vector relative to the positive x-axis:
Let me calculate these values for you.It looks like I made an error in applying trigonometric functions. I will correct this by using the correct syntax for cosine and sine. Let me recalculate the values.It seems like I can’t do more advanced data analysis right now. Please try again later.
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Here are 5 relative questions to expand this concept:
- How does the angular velocity affect the Moon's orbital period?
- What is the formula for instantaneous velocity in circular motion?
- How can we calculate the centripetal acceleration of the Moon given the parameters?
- What role does the gravitational force play in maintaining the Moon's orbit?
- How can we estimate the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full orbit?
Tip: The direction of velocity in circular motion is always tangent to the orbit at any given point.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Trigonometry
Circular Motion
Angular Velocity
Displacement
Average Velocity
Formulas
x(t) = r cos(𝜔t)
y(t) = r sin(𝜔t)
Average velocity magnitude = √(Δx^2 + Δy^2) / Δt
Direction of velocity θ = tan^-1(Δy / Δx)
Theorems
Pythagorean theorem for distance calculation
Trigonometric identities for circular motion
Suitable Grade Level
Undergraduate level or advanced high school physics (Grades 11-12)
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