Jerk times velocity cross position

In summary, the conversation discusses the problem of proving a mathematical equation involving position, velocity, and acceleration vectors of a moving particle. The right hand side of the equation is questioned for its physical meaning and it is concluded that there is no general meaning due to the inclusion of an arbitrary origin. However, a special case is mentioned where the equation could have a more interesting physical interpretation.
  • #1
d2x
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The problem asked me to prove the following (where [itex] \vec{r}, \vec{v}, \vec{a} [/itex] are the position, velocity and acceleration vectors of a moving particle):

[itex]\frac{d}{dt} [\vec{a} \cdot (\vec{v} \times \vec{r})] = \dot{\vec{a}} \cdot (\vec{v} \times \vec{r}) [/itex]

I already did so, but my question is what does the right hand side of the equation say about the motion of the particle? What is the physical meaning of this expression?
 
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  • #2
There is NO general meaning for this - you can tell because it includes the location vector, which in general would be from an arbitrary origin. That would have arbitrary length in an arbitrary direction, so the scalar end result (even before taking the time-derivative) would be arbitrary.
Interesting special-case would be a 3-d simple pendulum (mass on a stick) at constant distance from origin.
 

Related to Jerk times velocity cross position

1. What is "jerk times velocity cross position"?

"Jerk times velocity cross position" refers to a mathematical concept that combines the rate of change of acceleration (jerk), the velocity of an object, and its position in space. It is often used in physics to describe the motion of objects and the forces acting upon them.

2. How is "jerk times velocity cross position" calculated?

The formula for calculating "jerk times velocity cross position" is J x V x P, where J represents the jerk, V represents the velocity, and P represents the position of the object.

3. What are the units of measurement for "jerk times velocity cross position"?

The units of measurement for "jerk times velocity cross position" depend on the units used for jerk, velocity, and position. For example, if jerk is measured in meters per second cubed, velocity in meters per second, and position in meters, then the unit for "jerk times velocity cross position" would be meters to the fourth power per second cubed.

4. What is the significance of "jerk times velocity cross position" in physics?

"Jerk times velocity cross position" is significant in physics because it helps describe the motion of objects in a more comprehensive way, taking into account not just their velocity and position, but also the rate at which their acceleration is changing. This allows for a better understanding of the forces acting upon objects and their resulting motion.

5. How is "jerk times velocity cross position" used in real-world applications?

"Jerk times velocity cross position" is used in various real-world applications, such as robotics, engineering, and sports. It can be used to optimize the movement of robots, design efficient machines, and analyze the performance of athletes. It is also used in physics research to study the behavior of particles and objects in motion.

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