Exercise · ZW-PHASE-PLANE-010 · ★★★ Advanced

In \(x'=y,\ y'=-x\), in which sense are the circular trajectories traversed?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. Clockwise

Explanation

At \((1,0)\) the velocity is \((x',y')=(0,-1)\): it points down, and to the right of the origin that is clockwise. In general \(xy'-yx'=-(x^2+y^2)<0\).

Study Differential equations in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Phase plane

Coordinate plane \((x,y)\) of an autonomous system whose velocities \(f\) and \(g\) do not depend on \(t\); each solution is drawn there as a curve, its trajectory.

\[x'=f(x,y),\quad y'=g(x,y)\;\Longrightarrow\;\dfrac{dy}{dx}=\dfrac{g(x,y)}{f(x,y)}\quad(f\neq0)\]

More practice problems: phase plane

← ZW-PHASE-PLANE-009