197k views
4 votes
Let ( (r, theta) ) be the standard polar coordinates in 2D and let the unit vectors ( mathbf{e}_{r} ) and ( mathbf{e}_{theta} ) be defined in the usual way. A particle of mass ( m\ is att

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The angle between the position vector and velocity vector can be determined using polar coordinates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The angle between the position vector and the velocity vector of a particle moving along a path can be determined using polar coordinates. In a polar coordinate system, the position vector is represented as (r, theta), where r is the radius and theta is the angle of rotation.

The unit vectors in the polar coordinate system are defined as er and etheta. The er vector points in the direction of increasing radius, while the etheta vector points in the direction of increasing angle.

When calculating angular momentum, you need to choose a coordinate system and write down the radius vector to the point particle in unit vector notation.

User Davin Studer
by
7.2k points