Kinematics of a point in rectilinear motion

AI Thread Summary
A point Q in rectilinear motion accelerates at 6 ft/s² to the right for the first 5 seconds, then at 12t ft/s² to the left for the next 2 seconds. The challenge is to determine the initial velocity at t=0, given that Q is 13 feet to the right of the origin at t=7 seconds. The calculations involve integrating the acceleration to find velocity and position, but confusion arises from using the same constants of integration across different time intervals. Correctly applying separate constants for each segment of motion is crucial to arriving at the accurate initial velocity, which the book states is +2 ft/s.
xzibition8612
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Homework Statement


A point Q in rectilinear motion passes through the origin at t=0, and from then until 5 seconds have passed, the acceleration of Q is 6 ft/s^2 to the right. Beginning at t = 5s, the acceleration of Q is 12t ft/s^2 to the left. If after 2 more seconds point Q is 13 feet to the right of the origin, what was the velocity of Q at t=0?


Homework Equations


x''=a
x'=at+c1
x=(a/2)t^2+(c1)(t)+c2


The Attempt at a Solution



At t=0:
x''=6
x'=6t+v0
x=3t^2+(v0)(t)

At t=5:
x''=-12t
x'=-6t^2+v1
x=-2t^3+(v1)(t)+x1

At t=7:
x''=-12t
x'=-6t^2+v1
13=-2t^3+(v1)(t)+x1

Now plug in t=5 s into the first set of equations and get:
75+(5)(v0)=x1
30+v0=v1

Plug these two equations into 13=-2t^3+(v1)(t)+x1
As for t in this equation, plug in 2 seconds because this new equation started at t=5 (and hence assume that to be the new starting point, thus 7-5=2).

I get v0 = -15 m/s
The book says the answer is +2. Obviously something went very wrong. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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xzibition8612 said:
Now plug in t=5 s into the first set of equations and get:
75+(5)(v0)=x1
30+v0=v1

How did you get the highlighted equation ?
 
plug t=5 into x'=6t+v0
Then knowing the fact that at t=5 the velocity is described by x'=-6t^2+v1, I set t=0 at this instant and thus 30+v0 = v1
 
you are using same constants on integration in different equations. the motion from t=5 to t=7
should have separate constants of integration from the motion t=7 onwards. that's why you are
mixing equations and got the wrong answer
 
But according to the problem, the motion at t=7s follows the same equation as the motion at t=5s (x''=-12), so shouldn't it be the same equations? Can you show me the correct equation? Because from the way I'm reading the problem my way to me is correct, when in fact it's not. I can't see it.
 
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