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Zman
Jul3-09, 06:46 AM
Is it possible to differentiate a function with respect to acceleration where the function is expressed in terms of velocity?

\frac{dy}{da} = \frac{d}{da}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}}

arildno
Jul3-09, 07:23 AM
Well, if say the acceleration/time-relationship is invertible, so that time may be regarded as a function of the acceleration, we would have:
\frac{dv}{da}=\frac{dv}{dt}\frac{dt}{da}=a\frac{dt }{da}=\frac{a}{\frac{da}{dt}}

Thus, the derivative of velocity wrt. to acceleration is the fraction between the acceleration itself and its rate of change.

Zman
Jul3-09, 08:17 AM
Thanks for your reply.
I tried to keep my question simple but I think that that was a mistake. My maths is extremely rusty and I definitely feel uncomfortable with it.

The situation that I am dealing with is the relationship between the energy of a body and its acceleration.

I want to determine the relationship dE/da (E is energy, a is acceleration)
I have arrived at the expression;
\frac{dE}{da} = \frac{d}{da}{mc^2\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}}

and I am not sure how to proceed from this point.

HallsofIvy
Jul3-09, 08:25 AM
Thanks for your reply.
I tried to keep my question simple but I think that that was a mistake. My maths is extremely rusty and I definitely feel uncomfortable with it.

The situation that I am dealing with is the relationship between the energy of a body and its acceleration.

I want to determine the relationship dE/da (E is energy, a is acceleration)
I have arrived at the expression;
\frac{dE}{da} = \frac{d}{da}{mc^2\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}}

and I am not sure how to proceed from this point.

mc^2(1- v^2/c^2)^{-1/2}
Now use the chain rule.

Zman
Jul3-09, 08:36 AM
The velocity v is the only variable in the equation. Surely I need to express v in terms of acceleration ‘a’ before I can differentiate the expression using the chain rule?

If I was resolving dE/dv, I believe that I could go ahead and differentiate the expression using the chain rule but I am trying to resolve dE/da.

Office_Shredder
Jul3-09, 08:09 PM
dE/da = dE/dv*dv/da

aka the chain rule. Go for it