Position x(t) for Particle Moving at Acceleration a(t)=6t-2

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In summary, the position of the particle moving along the x-axis at time t is given by x(t) = t^3 - t^2 + 4t + 6, where t is the time and x(t) is the position on the x-axis. This solution was found using calculus and taking into account the given initial conditions for velocity and position.
  • #1
the_d
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The acceleration of a particle moving along
the x-axis at time t is given by a(t) = 6t - 2.
If the velocity is 25 when t = 3 and the po-
sition is 10 when t = 1, then finnd the position
x(t).
 
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  • #2
Do you know calculus??Apply the definition of both acceleration wrt velocity & velocity wrt coordinate.
Take care of the conditions which will fix integration constants...

It shouldn't be 2 difficult.

Daniel.
 
  • #3
the_d said:
The acceleration of a particle moving along
the x-axis at time t is given by a(t) = 6t - 2.
If the velocity is 25 when t = 3 and the po-
sition is 10 when t = 1, then finnd the position
x(t).

Let a(t) be the acceleration defined above, v(t) the velocity, and x(t) the x-axis position. By definition:

[tex] v(t) = \int a(t) dt = \int (6t - 2) dt = 3t^2 - 2t + C_1 [/tex]
[tex] x(t) = \int v(t) dt = \int (3t^2 - 2t + C_1) dt = t^3 - t^2 + C_1*t + C_2 [/tex]

where C1 and C2 are constants. We determine the latter constants by using values given in the problem statement:

[tex] v(3) = 25 = 3*(3)^2 -2*(3) + C_1 [/tex]
[tex] C_1 = 4 [/tex]

[tex] x(1) = 10 = (1)^3 - (1)^2 + (4)*(1) + C_2 [/tex]
[tex] C_2 = 6 [/tex]

[tex] \color{red} x(t) = t^3 - t^2 + 4t + 6 [/tex]
 

1. What is the position of the particle at a specific time t?

The position x(t) of the particle can be found by substituting the given time t into the equation x(t) = 3t^2 - 2t + c, where c is the initial position of the particle.

2. How do we determine the velocity of the particle?

The velocity v(t) of the particle at any time t can be found by taking the derivative of the position function x(t) with respect to time, which is v(t) = 6t - 2.

3. What is the initial position of the particle?

The initial position of the particle is represented by the constant c in the position function x(t) = 3t^2 - 2t + c. This value can be determined by knowing the initial conditions of the particle, such as its initial position or velocity at t=0.

4. How do we find the acceleration of the particle?

The acceleration a(t) of the particle can be found by taking the derivative of the velocity function v(t) with respect to time, which is a(t) = 6t. In this case, the acceleration is a constant value of 6.

5. Can we predict the future position of the particle?

Yes, we can use the position function x(t) to predict the future position of the particle by substituting a future time t into the equation. However, the accuracy of the prediction may be affected by external factors such as friction or air resistance.

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