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Q3.16(b):
Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons, if it is true or false : (b) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of the particle at that point

Solution :

Statement Analysis

The statement is: "The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of the particle at that point."

Verdict: True.

Theoretical Justification

By the definition of instantaneous velocity $\vec{v}$, the velocity is the limit of the average velocity as the time interval $\Delta t$ approaches zero [Per the definition of the derivative in kinematics]:

$$\vec{v} = \lim_{\Delta t \to 0} \frac{\Delta \vec{r}}{\Delta t} = \frac{d\vec{r}}{dt}$$

Where $\Delta \vec{r}$ is the displacement vector between two points $P$ and $Q$ on the path. As $\Delta t \to 0$, point $Q$ approaches point $P$. The direction of the displacement vector $\Delta \vec{r}$ (the secant line) converges to the direction of the tangent at point $P$.

Geometrical Illustration

P v

Logical Derivation

  • Step 1: Define the position vector $\vec{r}(t)$ at time $t$ and $\vec{r}(t + \Delta t)$ at $t + \Delta t$.
  • Step 2: The displacement vector $\Delta \vec{r} = \vec{r}(t + \Delta t) - \vec{r}(t)$ represents the chord connecting two points on the trajectory.
  • Step 3: As the interval $\Delta t \to 0$, the ratio $\frac{\Delta \vec{r}}{\Delta t}$ approaches the derivative $\frac{d\vec{r}}{dt}$, which geometrically defines the slope of the curve at point $P$.
  • Step 4: Because the derivative of the position vector with respect to time represents the instantaneous rate of change, its direction must be collinear with the line segment formed in the limit, which is the tangent line [By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus in vector kinematics].

Conclusion

The velocity vector is defined as the time derivative of the position vector. Geometrically, the limit of the displacement vector as $\Delta t$ approaches zero is the tangent vector at that point on the trajectory. Thus, the direction of motion is always tangential to the path at any given instant.

Final Solution: The statement is True, because the instantaneous velocity is defined as the derivative of the position vector $d\vec{r}/dt$, which by geometric construction is the tangent to the path at that coordinate.


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