Vector notation and force and force Help- test this morning

In summary, the problem involves a time dependent force acting along the positive y-axis on a 4.00kg object with an initial velocity given in vector notation. The task is to find the velocity and position of the object as a function of time, as well as its speed at a specific time. Using the given information, the acceleration is found to be 5t \hat{j} m/s^2. Integrating this twice gives the velocity and position equations, which are used to find the speed of the object at a specific time. The final solution is (t) i + ((2.5/3)t^3 -t) j for the position as a function of time.
  • #1
~christina~
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[SOLVED] vector notation and force and force Help- test this morning..

Homework Statement


A time dependent force F(t)= 20t N/s acts along the possitive y-axis on a 4.00kg object. The object starts at the origin with the initial velocity

[tex]\vec{}v(0)= (1.00m/s)) \hat{}i-(1.00m/s) \hat{}j[/tex].

a) find the velocity of the object as a function of time.
b) find the position of the object as a function of time
c) what is the speed of the object at time t?

Homework Equations


?? the ones given?



The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea where to start..it seems simple enough..


can someone please please please help me out?
by this morning to be exact..(I have a test)
 
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  • #2
You have the force and the mass, thus you can figure out the acceleration. Given the acceleration as a function of time, how would you find the velocity as a function of time? And then the position? (Hint: Only one component is accelerated. Hint2: A bit of calculus is required.)
 
  • #3
Hm..
so ..acceleration...

F(t)= 20 t N/s
a= ?
m= 4.0kg

F= ma (not sure how t would get into that unless I plug in 20 t N/s... (I think the

notation is confusing me)

(20t N/s)/ 4.0kg= a

a= 5 t m/s ?? (not sure about the notation once again...)

I guess if this is correct that I would just do integration to find the v and then the x

however why was the initial velocity given in the form of vector notation ?

I was thinking of using that...

thanks
 
  • #4
~christina~ said:
Hm..
so ..acceleration...

F(t)= 20 t N/s
a= ?
m= 4.0kg

F= ma (not sure how t would get into that unless I plug in 20 t N/s... (I think the

notation is confusing me)

(20t N/s)/ 4.0kg= a

a= 5 t m/s ?? (not sure about the notation once again...)
The acceleration is 5t m/s^2. But in what direction? They tell you: "acts along the positive y axis". That means the acceleration should be written as [itex]5 t \hat{j}[/itex] m/s^2.

I guess if this is correct that I would just do integration to find the v and then the x
Yes.

however why was the initial velocity given in the form of vector notation ?
Because direction matters!
 
  • #5
Because direction matters!

so I don't actually use that equation?

anyways...

a(t)= 5tj m/s^2

v(t)= 2.5tj^2 + t

x(t)= .83 tj^3 + 1/2 t^2 + t

Is this how it's supposed to look?

(Once again the units are getting to me...couldn't figure out the units for the v but technically it should be m/s and x should be in m)

Am I supposed to have anymore j's in the equations??
 
  • #6
Seems like the j notation is messing you up a bit.
~christina~ said:
a(t)= 5tj m/s^2
a(t)y = 5t (direction: +y axis (a.k.a j); units: m/s^2)
v(t)= 2.5tj^2 + t
Integrate a(t) once to get v(t):
v(t)y = 2.5t^2 + C (y-component of velocity)

Use the given initial velocity to find the integration constant C:
v(t)y = 2.5t^2 - 1 (y-component only)

The complete v(t) is:
v(t) = (1) i + (2.5t^2 -1) j


x(t)= .83 tj^3 + 1/2 t^2 + t
Integrate v(t) to get the y-component of position:
y(t) = (2.5/3)t^3 -t + C

Use the given info to find the integration constant:
y(t) = (2.5/3)t^3 -t

The x-axis motion is just constant speed:
x(t) = (1)t = t

In vector notation, the position as a function of time would be:
(t) i + ((2.5/3)t^3 -t) j
 
  • #7
good grief...I wasn't even close... it was more complicated than I thought it would be

for part c where I have to find the speed of the object at time t

wouldn't I take the

v(t) = (1) i + (2.5t^2 -1) j

and then find the V from the x and y component's i and j ?

rad ( 1^2 + (2.5t^2 -1)^2) = ...

technically that's what I would think but that looks well...complicated...

Is that correct?

Thanks alot
 
  • #8
Yes, that's correct.
 
  • #9
Thank you Doc Al
 

1. What is vector notation?

Vector notation is a mathematical way of representing both the direction and magnitude of a vector using symbols and coordinates. It is commonly used in physics and engineering to describe the forces acting on an object.

2. How do you write a vector in notation form?

A vector can be written in notation form by using an arrow symbol above the variable representing the vector, such as v for a velocity vector. The length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector and the direction of the arrow represents the direction of the vector.

3. What is the difference between a scalar and a vector?

A scalar is a quantity that only has magnitude, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. For example, speed is a scalar quantity because it only describes the magnitude of an object's velocity, while velocity is a vector quantity because it describes both the magnitude and direction of an object's motion.

4. How is force represented in vector notation?

Force is represented in vector notation by using the symbol F with an arrow above it to indicate that it is a vector. The length and direction of the arrow represent the magnitude and direction of the force, respectively.

5. How does vector notation relate to force?

Vector notation is used to accurately represent the direction and magnitude of forces acting on an object. This allows scientists and engineers to accurately calculate the net force on an object and predict its motion based on the laws of physics.

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