a Little confused about the following mathematical derivation. v vector = r hat / r^2 = r vector / r^3
= (x * i hat + y * j hat)/(x^2 + y^2)^3/2

Question

a Little confused about the following mathematical derivation. v vector = r hat / r^2 = r vector / r^3 
= (x * i hat + y * j hat)/(x^2 + y^2)^3/2

anonymous · Answer

$$v \vec = r \hat / r^2 = r \vec / r^3  = (x \hat i  + y \hat j)/(x^2 + y^2)^(3/2)$$

anonymous · Answer

Maybe the reason i don't understand is because i have yet to take vector calc but i really need to understand this stuff is because i'm taking electromagnetism at University of Washington

dominusscholae · Answer

R hat is by definition a unit vector, which is just a regular vector (in this case, just R arrow) divided by its length). factoring an r arrow over r will hopefully allow you to understand why this derivation holds.