Calculating velocity and position from time variating force

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating velocity and position from a time-varying force, specifically using the relationships between force, mass, acceleration, velocity, and position. The original poster presents equations related to these concepts and seeks clarification on handling integration constants.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of acceleration to find velocity and position, questioning how to handle integration constants. Some suggest using initial conditions to eliminate these constants, while others consider the implications of assuming initial velocity values.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different assumptions regarding initial conditions and their impact on the resulting equations. There is no explicit consensus on the initial velocity, but several approaches are being considered.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of information regarding the initial velocity, which affects the integration process. Participants are navigating the implications of this missing data while adhering to the constraints of the homework problem.

jeremyskate
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Homework Statement


Capture.PNG

2. Homework Equations [/B]
v(t)=∫a(t)dt
r(t)=∫v(t)dt

The Attempt at a Solution


f=ma
a(t)=f/m
a(t)=(4/5t^2i-3/5tj)
(integrate)
v(t)=4/5i(t^3/3+c1)-3/5j(t^2/2+c2)
how can i get rid of the c1 c2?
 
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You use initial conditions to get rid of them.
One condition is that initial position is the origin.
Another initial condition is the initial velocity, which is not stated, but needs to be. Since they haven't stated it, the simplest approach is to assume it is zero.
 
v(0)=0 would make the most sense but since it isn't mentioned I also thought of leaving the constants and integrating them as well to get the position function, but the end result would have way too much undefined variables...
 
If you assume that the initial velocity is ##v_1\mathbf{i}+v_2\mathbf{j}## then you will get rid of c1 and c2 and instead have ##v_1,v_2## in all your answers. That shouldn't be too onerous.
 
erroneous?
 

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