Integrating with Velocity: A Question of Correctness

  • Thread starter Fallen Seraph
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In summary, the conversation discusses a procedure for finding the value of v using the equation a=-kx. The steps involve multiplying both sides by v, rearranging the equation, and integrating with respect to t. The question arises about whether or not v can be treated as a constant in the integration step. The solution is provided, using the identity \frac{1}{2} \frac{d}{dt} \left( \left(\frac{dx}{dt} \right)^2 \right) to integrate and find the final value of v.
  • #1
Fallen Seraph
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Sorry for the undescriptive title, but I couldn't think of a better one.

My question is essentially this: is the following procedure correct?


a=-kx and we want v.

Multiply both sides by v to get:

[tex] \frac {d^2x} {dt^2} * \frac {dx} {dt} = -kx *\frac {dx} {dt} [/tex]

Now, by dt, and some rearranging :

[tex] (\frac {d^2x} {dt^2} dt) * \frac {dx} {dt} = -kx *dx [/tex]

And the step which I'm not convinced can be done:


[tex]( \int \frac {d^2x} {dt^2} dt) * \frac {dx} {dt} = -k \int x *dx [/tex]


and so we end up with v^2 = -(kx^2)/2 +c which is but an errant 1/2 away from what I need.

I just don't trust integrating a wrt t, while having a v just sitting there as if it were a constant. The only reason that I haven't already disregarded it is that it checks out if you analyse the dimensions...
 
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  • #2
No, that's not right. As you mention, you're treating v as a constant, and it isn't.

You started out right, you just need to rewrite:

[tex] \frac {d^2x} {dt^2} * \frac {dx} {dt} [/tex]

as:

[tex]\frac{1}{2} \frac{d}{dt} \left( \left(\frac{dx}{dt} \right)^2 \right)[/tex],

then integrate.
 
  • #3
Wow, quite the nifty identity. Thanks a lot for that help.
 

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