Calculating Particle Position with Constant Acceleration

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The discussion centers on calculating the position of a particle under constant acceleration defined by a(t) = 3.0t m/s², with initial conditions of v=2.0 m/s and x=0 at t=0. Participants attempted to derive the position function by integrating the acceleration and velocity but found discrepancies with the provided answer choices. The answers listed included two identical options, which raised questions about their validity. Ultimately, it was concluded that the professor likely made an error in the problem set.
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Homework Statement



A particle is accelerated according to a(t) = 3.0t m/s^2. What is the position of the particle if it starts out with v=2.0 m/s and x = 0 at t = 0.

Homework Equations



s(t)=1/2at^2 + vot + xo

The Attempt at a Solution



I took the integral of a(t) to get my v(t), and then took the integral of v(t) to get my x(t). None of my answers match with the given choices.

The possible answers according to this sheet are:

(a). x(t) = 3.0t^2 + 2.0t m
(b). x(t) = 3.0t^3 + 2.0t m
(c). x(t) = t^3 +2.0t m
 
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There being no difference whatsoever between answer a and answer b ?

By the way: what does your answer look like ?
 
Rybka said:

Homework Equations



s(t)=1/2at^2 + vot + xo

Note that this equation is not relevant to this problem since the acceleration is not constant in this problem.

The Attempt at a Solution



I took the integral of a(t) to get my v(t), and then took the integral of v(t) to get my x(t).

That sounds good.

None of my answers match with the given choices.

The possible answers according to this sheet are:

(a). x(t) = 3.0t^2 + 2.0t m
(b). x(t) = 3.0t^2 + 2.0t m
(c). x(t) = t^3 +2.0t m

I agree that none of these answers is correct.
 
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BvU said:
There being no difference whatsoever between answer a and answer b ?

Yeah, sorry. I fixed that.

Nonetheless, the professor seems to have made a mistake on this problem set.

Thanks guys!
 
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