Chapter 2: Problem 61
Find the derivatives of u(t), u?(t), u?(t)×u(t), u(t)×u?(t), and u(t)?u?(t). Find the unit tangent vector. $$ \mathbf{u}(t)=\left\langle e^{t}, e^{-t}\right\rangle $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The unit tangent vector is \( \langle \frac{e^t}{\sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}}}, \frac{-e^{-t}}{\sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}}} \rangle \).
Step by step solution
01
Differentiate u(t)
To find the derivative of \( \mathbf{u}(t) = \langle e^t, e^{-t} \rangle \), we differentiate each component with respect to \( t \). \( e^t \) differentiates to \( e^t \) and \( e^{-t} \) differentiates to \( -e^{-t} \). Thus, \( \mathbf{u}'(t) = \langle e^t, -e^{-t} \rangle \).
02
Differentiate u?(t)
Since \( \mathbf{u}?(t) \) simply refers to \( \mathbf{u}'(t) \), we've already computed this in Step 1. So, \( \mathbf{u}?(t) = \langle e^t, -e^{-t} \rangle \).
03
Compute u?(t)×u(t)
In two dimensions, the cross product \( \mathbf{u}'(t) \times \mathbf{u}(t) \) is scalar, calculated as \( e^t \, e^{-t} - (-e^{-t}) \, e^t = 1 + e^{2t} \).
04
Compute u(t)×u?(t)
The expression \( \mathbf{u}(t) \times \mathbf{u}'(t) \) is the negative of \( \mathbf{u}'(t) \times \mathbf{u}(t) \) in two dimensions, thus \( \mathbf{u}(t) \times \mathbf{u}'(t) = -\left( 1 + e^{2t} \right) \).
05
Compute u(t)?u?(t)
The dot product \( \mathbf{u}(t) \, \cdot \, \mathbf{u}'(t) \) is calculated as \( e^t \, e^t + e^{-t} \, (-e^{-t}) = \left( e^{2t} - 1 \right) \).
06
Normalize the Tangent Vector
The unit tangent vector is found by normalizing \( \mathbf{u}'(t) = \langle e^t, -e^{-t} \rangle \). Compute the magnitude: \( \|\mathbf{u}'(t)\| = \sqrt{(e^t)^2 + (-e^{-t})^2} = \sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}} \). Thus, the unit tangent vector is \( \langle \frac{e^t}{\sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}}}, \frac{-e^{-t}}{\sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}}} \rangle \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative
The derivative of a vector function, like the one in our exercise, is found by differentiating each of its components individually. This results in a new vector function, made up of the derivatives of the original components. For example, when finding the derivative of \( \mathbf{u}(t) = \langle e^t, e^{-t} \rangle \), you treat \( e^t \) and \( e^{-t} \) as separate entities.
- To differentiate \( e^t \), recognize that it remains \( e^t \), because the derivative of an exponential function with base \( e \) is the function itself.
- \( e^{-t} \) differentiates according to the chain rule, resulting in \( -e^{-t} \).
Cross Product
The cross product is an operation commonly used to calculate a vector that is orthogonal to two given vectors in three-dimensional space. However, when dealing with two-dimensional vectors, the cross product is scalar. The unique property holds significance in physics and engineering, where the computation of rotational effects is important.
- For two vectors \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{b} = \langle b_1, b_2 \rangle \) in the plane, their cross product \( \mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b} \) simplifies to a scalar: \( a_1b_2 - a_2b_1 \).
Dot Product
The dot product is an operation that takes two equal-length sequences of numbers and returns a single number. This operation is particularly significant in measuring the angle between two vectors, as it can reveal orthogonality when the product is zero.
- For two vectors \( \mathbf{a} = \langle a_1, a_2 \rangle \) and \( \mathbf{b} = \langle b_1, b_2 \rangle \), their dot product is computed as: \( a_1b_1 + a_2b_2 \).
Unit Tangent Vector
To understand the direction in which a vector is pointing, we often normalize it. This results in a unit vector, a vector with a magnitude of 1, pointing in the same direction as the original vector. This is particularly useful in physics, helping us focus solely on direction while disregarding magnitude.
- To find the unit tangent vector of \( \mathbf{u}'(t) \), first determine its magnitude: \( \|\mathbf{u}'(t)\| = \sqrt{(e^t)^2 + (-e^{-t})^2} = \sqrt{e^{2t} + e^{-2t}} \).
- Scale \( \mathbf{u}'(t) \) by dividing each of its components by this magnitude.