Acceleration, velocity and position vectors

multivariable-calculus

Given a vector parametrization that describes the position of a particle $\vec{r}(t)$, is it valid to say that $\vec{r} (t)$ is perpendicular to $\vec{r'} (t)$ through the following:
$$
\frac{\mathrm{d}(\vec{r}(t) \cdot \vec{r}(t))}{\mathrm{d}t} = 0
$$

so through the product rule
$$
\frac{\mathrm{d}\vec{r}(t)}{\mathrm{d}t} \cdot \vec{r}(t) + \vec{r}(t) \cdot \frac{\mathrm{d}\vec{r}(t)}{\mathrm{d}t} = 0
$$

which means
$$
2\frac{\mathrm{d}\vec{r}(t)}{\mathrm{d}t} \cdot \vec{r}(t) = 0
$$

so $\vec{r}(t) \cdot \vec{r'}(t) = 0$, meaning that they are perpendicular to each other? Whenever I draw a curve, if I draw a position vector to a minima in that curve and then the velocity vector, they are not perpendicular to each other.

I feel like I'm making a very simple mistake.

Best Answer

The first step is already wrong. $\vec r(t)\cdot\vec r(t)$ is the squared length of $\vec r(t)$, which can vary arbitrarily with time.

And so from this incorrect premise, absurd things may be proven, like you just did.