What are the particle's position and velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle with an initial velocity and a time-dependent acceleration. The task is to determine the particle's position and velocity after a specified time, starting from the origin.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the non-uniform acceleration indicated by the powers of time in the acceleration equation. Some suggest integrating the acceleration to find velocity and position, while others express confusion about the meaning of the higher powers of time.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of how to approach the problem, with some participants providing guidance on integration and the separation of components. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the powers in the acceleration equation are necessary for dimensional consistency and may cause confusion. There is also mention of the need to consider units carefully if using different time systems.

brad sue
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I have no idea how to find a solution forthis exercice:

A particle moving with an initial velocity v=(30m/s)j undergoes an acceleration of
a=[3.5m/s2 +(0.7m/s5)t3]i+[2m/s2-(0.3m/s4)t2]j.

what are the particle's position and velocity after 30s assuming that it starts at the origin?

i am confused by the powers 4 and 5 in a . please give me some hints to answer the problem.

Brad
 
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These powers of t shows that the motion is not uniformally accelerated and so you can't use equations of motion.

integrate the acceleration to get velocity and then for position.
 
a_x gets quicker and quicker as time goes by ...
by t=2s, a_x = (3.5 + 5.6)m/s^2 , a_y = (2-1.2)m/s^2 .

v(t) = v_o + integral of a(t)dt ... x(t) = integral of v(t)dt
they're just powers, but I'd do j and i separately.
 
The extra "powers" are the correct units of the constants that are given. the constants are part of a formula that gives an acceleration, the constant is multiplied a time (in seconds) squared or cubed, so to generate the acceleration in m/s/s the constants must be defined in m/s/s/s/s and m/s/s/s/s/s. If someone wished to do this sort of thing in a different unit of time then they would have to convert the constants into the new system of units.

but as has already been stated you really don't need to worry about them.
 
brad sue said:
A particle moving with an initial velocity v=(30m/s)j undergoes an acceleration of
a=[3.5m/s2 +(0.7m/s5)t3]i+[2m/s2-(0.3m/s4)t2]j.
Writing the units in the equation makes it look more confusing than it is. You can rewrite it like this using standard units (distance in m; time in s; acceleration in m/s^2):
a=[3.5 + 0.7t3]i+[2 - 0.3t2]j
 

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