Normal and tangential vectors (blue) and radial and transverse vectors (red).

Note how the red unit radial arrow (u_r) and the unit vector u_theta perpendicular to it, changes as the red u_x slider is moved with the mouse. Motion is simulated counter clockwise by decreasing the value of u_x. Similar changes in the blue slider (u_1) effects the blue arrow referring to u_t (tangential to motion) and the unit blue vector u_n points into the circle. Note that if u_x=u_1 then the blue and red unit vectors are NOT the same. You can enlarge the circle using the slider for the parameter a.

 

jang_geogebra

 
Resource Type
Activity
Tags
coordinates  polar  radial  tangential  unit  vectors 
Target Group (Age)
3 – 19+
Language
English
 
 
 
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