Maybe some examples will make it more clear.
Take a particular solution for undamped 1-D harmonic motion about the origin:
x = sin(t)
v = cos(t)
a = -sin(t)
Let's try some things!
Does v = dx / dt?
Yes. the representation x(t) = sin(t) is a function of t alone, so we take the ordinary derivative yielding dx/dt = cos(t) = v
What about the representation x(t, v) = sin(t)? This is a function of both t and v so we have to apply the chain rule:
dx / dt = @x / @t * dt / dt + @x / @v * dv / dt
= cos(t) * 1 + 0 * dv / dt = cos(t) = v
It still works! What about a more complicated example that actually involves v in the expression?
x(t, v) = tan(t) * v
(of course when you plug in that v = cos(t) this equation reduces to x(t, v) = sin(t), so this equation is correct)
Well, let's apply the chain rule here:
dx / dt = @x / @t * dt / dt + @x / @v * dv / dt
= (sec(t)^2 * v) * 1 + tan(t) * dv / dt
This looks like something totally different! But it's not, remember that v = cos(t) and dv / dt = a by definition and a = -sin(t):
dx / dt = (sec(t)^2 * v) * 1 + tan(t) * dv / dt
= sec(t)^2 * cos(t) + tan(t) * (-sin(t))
= sec(t) - tan(t) * sin(t)
= (1 / cos(t)) - (sin(t) / cos(t)) * sin(t)
= (1 - sin(t)^2) / cos(t) = cos(t)^2 / cos(t) = cos(t)
Whaddya know, dx / dt = cos(t) = v yet again!
What about "dv=(@v/@t)dt+(@v/@a)da" (which is the chain rule for v a function of t and a)?
Well, using v(t, a) = cos(t) and a = -sin(t), this yields:
dv = (-sin(t)) * dt+ 0 * da = -sin(t) * dt = a dt
Wow, the equation worked! What about something more complicated? Try: v(t, x, a) = cos(t) + x + a
dv = @v/@t dt + @v/@x dx + @v/@a da
= -sin(t) dt + 1 dx + 1 da
Remember that x(t) = sin(t), so dx = cos(t) dt.
Also, da = -sin(t) so da = -cos(t) dt
dv = -sin(t) dt + cos(t) dt - cos(t) dt = -sin(t) dt = a dt
Whaddya know, it still works.
dv=(@v/@t)dt+(@v/@a)da
now equalize the coeficients in front every d(something).
You
can't naively equalize the coefficients because dv, dt, and da are not independant. da depends on dt just like dv depends on dt. To give another example of why your operation here is absurd, suppose x = y. Then:
2x = x + x = x + y
therefore 2x = x + y
equalizing coefficients yields (<------ this is the bad step)
2x = x & y = 0
therefore x = 0 and y = 0
The flaw was assuming x and y are independant variables. They are not independant (in fact, x = y), so equalizing coefficients is not a valid operation.
the pair of quantity and quality accepted as singular is counterpart.
Ok that definition is clear. But counterparts are not constant things like you implied in a previous post.
on the contrary it means just that. later the trajectory is subset of this general set.
Yes, the trajectory is a subset of your general set. Your general set, however, is
not a trajectory. And beyond that, only zero acceleration trajectories belong to your general set defined by x = v t.
it can be also
single position and time for any given velocity
or
single velocity and time for any given position
No it cannot. Trajectories can, for example, occupy the same position at different times, and can have the same velocity at different positions.
X-x=v(T-t)=(dx/dt)(T-t)
this equation indeed represents straith line called tangent in point (t, x).
That equation is indeed a tangent line. Not a trajectory, not a velocty, a tangent line.
You'll rather be wrong then allow your self to admit the error.
Right back at ya.
Hurkyl