What are the equations of motion for uniform and accelerated motion?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equations of motion for uniform and accelerated motion, focusing on the derivation and understanding of these equations through differential equations and integration. Participants explore both the theoretical aspects and the mathematical foundations involved in these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents equations for uniform motion and uniform accelerated motion, questioning the steps involving integration.
  • Another participant suggests that the initial equations are derived from differential equations, noting a common misuse of notation.
  • Several participants express confusion about the integration process and seek clarification on how to derive the position from velocity.
  • One participant attempts to provide a step-by-step explanation of the integration process, emphasizing the equality of integrals.
  • Another participant mentions that differential equations are typically taught after differentiation, indicating a gap in the current syllabus for some learners.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of integrals, with one participant confirming that the integral of dx equals x plus a constant.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude after receiving a clearer explanation, indicating that they have gained understanding from the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express confusion and seek clarification on the integration process and the relationship between differentiation and differential equations. There is no consensus on the understanding of the equations or the integration steps, as some participants challenge the correctness of others' statements.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate that they have not yet covered differential equations in their syllabus, which may limit their understanding of the topic. There are references to varying levels of mathematical background among participants, affecting their ability to engage with the material.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students studying physics or mathematics, particularly those grappling with the concepts of motion, integration, and differential equations.

Fritz
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Uniform motion:

dv/dt = 0

ds/dt = v (a constant)

integral(dx) = v. integral(dt) => x = x(subsript 0) +vt ?

Uniform accelerated motion: dv/dt = constant

Equations of motion are:

dv/dt = a => v = v(subscript 0) + a.t ?

dx/dt = v => x = x(subscript 0) + v(subscript 0).t + 1/2.a.t^2 ?

v.dv/dt = a => v^2 = v(subscript 0)^2 + 2.a.(x-x(subcript 0)) ?

I don't understand the lines with question marks next to them.
 
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They've just got an integral equation, from a differential equation, and solved it, albeit with the standard abuse of notation.
 
I still don't understand.

How do you get from ds/dt = v (a constant) to integral(dx) = v. integral(dt) to x = x(subsript 0) +vt?
 
Can you explain it step by step?
 
Please spoon-feed me.
 
Have you not done basic differential equations (linear first order)? Sorry, I'm not the best person to spoon feed answers to anyone, least of all on a subject like this. Good luck finding yourself a teacher, but it ain't going to be me.
 
ds/dt = v,

=> dx = vdt,

=> integral between x and x(subscript 0) of dx =v. integral of dt between x and x(subscript 0)

=> x = x(subscript 0) + vt

Is this correct?
 
No, I mean differential equations. Linear first order. Look it up on the web, get an A-level textbook out of the library, if you're not from the UK, then I don't know what level you meet it at or what you'd call it - calc 101 perhaps. Latexing up notes for you is more effort than it merits, sorry, but _you_ should put the effort in on this one.
 
  • #10
And no that last post of yours isn't correct.
 
  • #11
does the integral of dx = x?
 
  • #12
Seeing as you're making the effort:

the *indefinite* integral of 1 dx (with respect to x) is x+k where k is a constant.
 
  • #13
I'm a bit confused. Here's our syllabus:

FUNCTIONS OF ONE REAL VARIABLE (five lectures)
Definition, domain, range; odd, even, periodic; polynomials,
factorisation; rational functions, partial fractions; exponential and
logarithmic functions; circular and hyperbolic functions; inverse function;
limits and continuity; composite functions.

DIFFERENTIATION (six lectures)
Definition, chain rule, implicit, parametric, product rule; stationary
values, points of inflection, curve sketching; Maclaurin and Taylor
expansions, polynomial approximation; l’Hopital’s rule.

FUNCTIONS OF TWO REAL VARIABLES (three lectures)
Definition, partial differentiation, total derivative.

COMPLEX NUMBERS (three lectures)
Definition, conjugate, representation; roots of complex numbers, de
Moivre’s theorem.

How do they expect us to understand this stuff when we haven't even done differential equations?
 
  • #14
We don't do differential equations until the next symester. I'll be back tomorrow to check this thread (I have to go home now).
 
  • #15
differential equations come *after* differentiation.
 
  • #16
Okay, I'll do a bit of spoon-feeding.
1)Suppose the velocity of an object is constant, that is:
[tex]\frac{dx}{dt}=v[/tex]
Here, v is a constant, wheras the function x(t) is the position of the object as a function of time.
2. If we integrate both sides of an equality in the same way, we still have an equality:
[tex]\int_{0}^{T}\frac{dx}{dt}dt=\int_{0}^{T}vdt[/tex]
Here, we perform the integration over the interval [tex]0\leq{t}\leq{T}[/tex]
where T is some arbitrarily chosen instant.
3. Left-hand side:
[tex]\int_{0}^{T}\frac{dx}{dt}dt=x(T)-x(0)[/tex]
(Why is this true?)
4. Right-hand side:
[tex]\int_{0}^{T}vdt=vT-v*0=vT[/tex]
(Why is this true?)
5. Equating the results from 3. and 4., we gain:
[tex]x(T)-x(0)=vT[/tex]
or, since T is arbitrary, we might as well call it "t":
[tex]x(t)=x(0)+vt[/tex]
The last step could also have been reached by introducing a dummy variable [tex]\tau[/tex] and performed the integration:
[tex]\int_{0}^{t}\frac{dx}{d\tau}d\tau=\int_{0}^{t}vd\tau[/tex]
 
  • #17
Thank you my friend. I get it now.
 

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