MHB Acceleration @ $\dfrac{5\pi}{4}: \sqrt{2}$

  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acceleration
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the acceleration of a particle at the point where its velocity first equals zero, given the velocity function \( v(t) = \sin t - \cos t \). The first instance where \( v(t) = 0 \) occurs at \( t = \frac{5\pi}{4} \). There is a debate about the correct expression for the position function, with some participants arguing over the transition from \( x(t) \) to \( v(t) \). The correct acceleration at this point is calculated to be \( \sqrt{2} \). The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining consistent notation throughout the problem-solving process.
karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\tiny{299}$
For $t \ge 0$ the position of a particle moving along the x-axis is given by $v(t)=\sin t—\cos t$ What is the acceleration of the particle at the point where the velocity is first equal to 0?
$a. \sqrt{2}$
$b. \, —1$
$c. \, 0$
$d. \, 1$
$e. —\sqrt{2}$Ok well originally it was given as $x(t)$ but I changed it to $v(t)$
So via W|A $v(t)=0$ at
$t = 1/4 (4 π n + π), n \in Z$So the first 0 would be $\dfrac{5\pi}{4}$Hopefully so far 🕶
 
Physics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\tiny{299}$
For $t \ge 0$ the position of a particle moving along the x-axis is given by $v(t)=\sin t—\cos t$ What is the acceleration of the particle at the point where the velocity is first equal to 0?
$a. \sqrt{2}$
$b. \, —1$
$c. \, 0$
$d. \, 1$
$e. —\sqrt{2}$Ok well originally it was given as $x(t)$ but I changed it to $v(t)$
So via W|A $v(t)=0$ at
$t = 1/4 (4 π n + π), n \in Z$So the first 0 would be $\dfrac{5\pi}{4}$Hopefully so far 🕶
Wait! What do you mean by you changed it to v(t)? The particle's position is x(t) = sin(t) - cos(t) means that v = [math]\dfrac{dx}{dt}[/math]. You can't just change that in the middle of the problem!

[math]x(t) = cos(t) - sin(t)[/math]

[math]v(t) = -sin(t) - cos(t)[/math]

So
[math]v(t_0) = -sin(t_0) - cos(t_0) = 0 \implies sin(t_0) = -cos(t_0) \implies tan(t_0) = -1[/math]
which first happens at [math]t_0 = \dfrac{5 \pi }{4}[/math] as you stated.

(You don't need W|A for this. Put away the toys.)

So what's a(t)?

-Dan
 
karush said:
$\tiny{299}$
For $t \ge 0$ the position of a particle moving along the x-axis is given by $v(t)=\sin t—\cos t$ What is the acceleration of the particle at the point where the velocity is first equal to 0?
$a. \sqrt{2}$
$b. \, —1$
$c. \, 0$
$d. \, 1$
$e. —\sqrt{2}$Ok well originally it was given as $x(t)$ but I changed it to $v(t)$
So via W|A $v(t)=0$ at
$t = 1/4 (4 π n + π), n \in Z$So the first 0 would be $\dfrac{5\pi}{4}$

why did you do that? ...

... if originally, $x = \sin{t}-\cos{t}$, then $v = \cos{t} + \sin{t} = 0 \implies t = \dfrac{3\pi}{4}$
 
skeeter said:
<font color="#ff0000">why did you do that? ... </font>... if originally, $x = \sin{t}-\cos{t}$, then $v = \cos{t} + \sin{t} = 0 \implies t = \dfrac{3\pi}{4}$
Sorry I'm late but my favorite WiFi Hangouts told me to leave.So $a(t)=\sin{t}-\cos(t)$ .
Then plug in
$a\left( \dfrac{3\pi}{4}\right)
=\sin{ \dfrac{3\pi}{4}}-\cos \dfrac{3\pi}{4}=\sqrt{2}$
 
Last edited:
karush said:
Sorry I'm late but my favorite WiFi Hangouts told me to leave.So $a(t)=\sin{t}-\cos(t)$ .
Then plug in
$a\left( \dfrac{3\pi}{4}\right)
=\sin{ \dfrac{3\pi}{4}}-\cos \dfrac{3\pi}{4}=\sqrt{2}$

$v(t) = \cos{t}+\sin{t} \implies a(t) = \cos{t}-\sin{t} \implies a\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{4}\right) = -\sqrt{2}$