Anyone explaining 'position equation'?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the 'position equation' or 'position function' in physics. Participants seek clarification on its significance, context, and derivation, particularly in relation to motion equations and Newton's laws.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the term 'position equation' and request clarification on its meaning and context.
  • Others suggest that providing the source or context where the term was found would aid in understanding its significance.
  • A participant references a specific equation, ##16t^2 + 100##, and questions the origin of the term ##16t^2##, linking it to motion equations.
  • Another participant relates the term to Newton's second law, indicating that integrating the law leads to a position equation, and provides a formula involving force and mass.
  • There is mention of gravitational acceleration and its relation to the derived position equation, with specific values provided.
  • One participant notes their background in a non-physics field and expresses a desire to understand the topic better.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not agree on the meaning of 'position equation' and its context, with multiple competing views and a lack of consensus on its significance and derivation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of context in understanding the term 'position equation', indicating that different sources may use the term differently. There are also unresolved questions regarding the derivation of specific terms in the equations discussed.

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Anyone explaining 'position equation'?
 
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text said:
Anyone explaining 'position equation'?
What form are you talking about? Have you done any research to find the answer?
 
IF this is from a textbook or homework please give us the whole problem or discussion. We have no way to give you a good answer the way the question was question.
 
I have no clue as to the 'significance' of the word in question. I googled for it but no use. What in the world is the 'position equation',
aka 'position function'? Please bear with my ignorance, and enlighten me about it. tia. text
 
text said:
I have no clue as to the 'significance' of the word in question. I googled for it but no use. What in the world is the 'position equation',
aka 'position function'? Please bear with my ignorance, and enlighten me about it. tia. text
Please re-read post #3. You are not giving enough information.
 
If you saw 'position equation' on a web page, it would help us a lot if you link to the page so we can see how it is used. If it's in a book, you can copy the paragraph that it appears in.

Words and phrases can have different meanings depending on the context. It would not help you at all if we make a guess and it turns out your source means something different.
 
http://tinyurl.com/hbyfu9x
Actually, I failed to locate the exact location where I've found the citation
with regard to the question I've raised. Instead, I cite the link above
which will lead to where 's=16t2 + 100...', the same equation I've misplaced.
My question is where 16t2 came from. All the best, text
PS: Specifically, you may find the question in question at page 105, which will open before you.
 
##-16t^2## corresponds to the term ##-\frac{1}{2}gt^{2}## in the law for accelerate motion, here the constant ##g## is not the same of the usual ##9,81 m/s^{2}## but is another ...
 
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Newtons second law: z'' = F/m. This gives the acceleration. Integrate twice to get "position equation".

This gives you: z(t) = \frac{1}{2} \frac{F}{m} t^2 + z'(0)t +z(0)

Edit: This gives the same result as Ssnow, assuming F=-mg which is the case for gravitation.

g \approx 32 ft/s^2, so you can see this means the first term is -16. No t term means no initial velocity, and the last term of 100 is the initial height
 
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  • #10
maka89 said:
Newtons second law: z'' = F/m. This gives the acceleration. Integrate twice to get "position equation".

This gives you: z(t) = \frac{1}{2} \frac{F}{m} t^2 + z'(0)t +z(0)

Edit: This gives the same result as Ssnow, assuming F=-mg which is the case for gravitation.

g \approx 32 ft/s^2, so you can see this means the first term is -16. No t term means no initial velocity, and the last term of 100 is the initial height

I missed the secondary education, although I have a college degree in Japanese studies. I am moving forward albeit at a snail pace
to make up for the lost time. Somewhere and somehow I remember seeing the explanation kindly given to me, so that I had an inkling
of the question being related to physics, which has been confirmed.
 

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