More Help yet again with Solving differential equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation related to air resistance, specifically where the resistance is proportional to the square of the speed. The original poster presents the equation dv/dt -(k/m)v^2 = g and expresses difficulty in finding a solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the separability of the equation and suggest that it can be reduced to indefinite integration. There are mentions of integrating specific forms and transforming the equation to find velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the separability of the equation and the integration process. There is an acknowledgment of the need to integrate to find distance from the velocity, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that their data readings are distances at given times, which adds complexity to the integration process. There is also a mention of the original poster's previous attempts to solve similar equations, suggesting a continuity in their learning process.

$id
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Hi i posted last time about solving an equation regarding air resistance being proportional to the speed

This time i need it to be proportional to the speed squared

I have managed to get an equation but haven't managed to solve it yet

dv/dt -(k/m)v^2 = g


Any ideas on how to solve this. I have tried all the methods i know, I think i need to substitute in. I will need more than just a hint here guys

Thanks a lot

sid
 
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The equation is seperable (you can separate v and t). Any first order seperable equation can be reduced to a problem of indefinite integration:

[tex]\int \frac{dv}{g - \frac{k}{m} v^2} = t + Const.[/tex]
 
[tex]v^\prime = g + \frac{k}{m}v^2 \Longrightarrow \frac{v^\prime}{\frac{k}{m}v^2 + g} = 1[/tex]

[tex]\Longrightarrow \int \frac{dv}{\frac{k}{m}v^2 + g} = \frac{m}{k} \int \frac{dv}{v^2 + \frac{gm}{k}} = \sqrt{\frac{m}{kg}} \arctan \left(v \sqrt{\frac{k}{mg} \right) = t + C[/tex]

[tex]\Longrightarrow \arctan \left(v \sqrt{\frac{k}{mg}} \right) = \sqrt{\frac{kg}{m}}(t+C) \Longrightarrow v \sqrt{\frac{k}{mg}} = \tan \left( \sqrt{\frac{kg}{m}}(t+C)\right)[/tex]

[tex]\Longrightarrow v = \sqrt{\frac{mg}{k}} \tan \left( \sqrt{\frac{kg}{m}}(t+C)\right)[/tex]
 
$id said:
Hi i posted last time about solving an equation regarding air resistance being proportional to the speed

This time i need it to be proportional to the speed squared

I have managed to get an equation but haven't managed to solve it yet

dv/dt -(k/m)v^2 = g


Any ideas on how to solve this. I have tried all the methods i know, I think i need to substitute in. I will need more than just a hint here guys

Thanks a lot

sid


A bit weird not to include among "all the methods" the separation of variables,which is the simplest possible. :rolleyes:

Anyway,i hope you understood the solution Data gave you.

Daniel.
 
Hmm i can follow Data logic despite never have seen anything like that before,

I guess now the main problem is that equation gives me the velocity. for the model i am making the data readings are distances at a given time. Hence I will most probably to integrate that beast.

All i know is that integral of tanx = - ln(cos x) + c or - ln (sec^2 x) or something like that

sid
 
[tex]\int \tan x \ dx=-\ln|\cos x|+C[/tex] it can be proven using the definition of tangent & the substitution [itex]\cos x=u[/itex].

Daniel.
 

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