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Example 1: Movement Around the Unit Circle

Find the vector equation for a particle which moves counterclockwise around the unit circle, and is at the point (1,0) at time t = 0, shown in Figure 10.6.1.

10_vectors-205.gif

Figure 10.6.1

The motion is given by the parametric equations

x = cos t, y = sin t,

and the vector equation

X = cos ti + sin tj.


Last Update: 2006-11-15