Trajectory
A curve which cuts every member of a given family of curves in accordance with some given law, is called trajectory of the given family of curves.
Orthogonal Trajectory
If a cuts every member of given family of curves at right angle it is called orthogonal trajectory.
As an example y = mx and are respectively the family of straight line and family of circles with centre or origin and radius a.
Every line y = mx cut each member of family of circles at right angle.
So y = mx is orthogonal trajectory of
Determination of orthogonal trajectories in cartesian
coordinates
Working Rule.
1. Differentiate the given equation of family of curves. Eliminate the parameters between the derived equation and given equation of the family. It will give the differential equation of given family of curve.
2. Replace dy/dx (slope of tangent) by –dx/dy (slope of orthogonal family) in the above differential equation in step 1.
3. Obtain the general solution of differential equation in step 2.
Self orthogonal family of Curves
If each member of a given family of curves intersects all other members orthogonally, then given family of curves is said to be self orthogonal.
Let the equation of given family of curves be f(x, y, c) = 0 …(1)
Differentiate (1) w.r.t x and eliminate c between (1) and derived equation
We shall arrive at the differential equation of given family as F(x, y, dy/dx) = 0 …(2)
Let be the angle, which the tangent at P to the member PQ with x axis.
Then …(3)
Let (X, Y) be the current coordinates of any point of a trajectory. At point of intersection P of any members of (2) with the trajectory , let
be the angle which the tangent
to the trajectory makes with x axis.
So, …(4)
Let PT and PT’ intersect at 90°.
So
At the point of intersection x = X and y = Y
So , is the required family of trajectories.
Determination of orthogonal trajectories in polar
coordinate system
Let the equation of given family of curves be in polar form …(1)
Where c is a parameter
Differentiate (1) w.r.t and eliminating c between (1) and derived equation. We get the differential
equation of the given family of curves.
Let be that differential equation …(2)
Let be the angle between the tangent PT to a member PQ of the given family of curves and radius vector OP at any point
.
then …(3)
Let be the current coordinates of any point of a trajectory. At point of intersection P of any member of (2) with the trajectory PQ’, let
be the angle which the tangent PT’ to the trajectory makes with the common radius vector OP.
Then
Let PT and PT’ intersect at 90°
Then
So using (3) and (4)
At the point of intersection r = r’ and
So is the required orthogonal trajectory.
Determination of Orthogonal trajectories in Polar
Coordinates
Working Rule :
1. Differentiate the given equation of family of curves w.r.t (generally take logarithm). Eliminate the parameter.
2. Replace by
and obtain the differential equation of orthogonal trajectories
3. Obtain the general solution of differential equation obtained above.