Acceleration and velocity involving calculus

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the motion of a rocket described by the equation x = 10 + 5t^2, focusing on finding the instantaneous speed and acceleration using calculus concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss differentiating the position function to find velocity and then differentiating velocity to find acceleration. There are questions about the correct units for speed and whether the approach taken is valid.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided guidance on differentiation and confirmed that the units for speed and acceleration are appropriate. There is a general agreement on the steps taken, though some participants seek validation of their understanding.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on using calculus to derive expressions for velocity and acceleration, and participants are verifying their calculations and units throughout the discussion.

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If the equation describing the motion of a rocket is
x = 10 + 5t^2, write an expression for the instantaneous speed of the rocket. What is the instantaneous speed at 5 s. What is the acceleration?


WHere do I begin? Do I need to take the integral anywhere?
 
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differentiate x = 10 +5t^2 with respect to t to get velocity and then differentiate your new velocity expression with respect to t to get the acceleration.

Given your expression for x your acceleration is going to be a constant.
 
Velocity
x=10+5t^2
Derivative with respect to t= 10t
Instantaneous speed of rocket=10t

Instantaneous speed at 5 s
v=10t
v=50 m/s
Would this be in the correct units?

Acceleration
a=10
 
yeah those are SI units so they are the correct units. Where the acceleration has units of [tex]\frac {m} {s^2}[/tex].
 
So if I am understanding this correctly...

The derivative of x=10+5t^2 with respect to t is the velocity
Expression for instaneous speed of rocket
V=10t

Instantaneous speed at 5 s
v=10t
v=10(5)
v=50 m/s

Acceleration is the derivative of velocity (v=10t) with respect to t
a=10
a=10 m/s^2

Look good?
 
Yup that looks fine.
 

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