Can speed be a imaginary number validity of work energy theoram in 1D

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the validity of the work-energy theorem in one-dimensional motion, specifically exploring the concept of speed potentially being an imaginary number. Participants examine the implications of this idea within the context of gravitational forces and escape velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a derivation involving two masses and their position vectors, suggesting that speed can be imaginary under certain conditions.
  • Another participant challenges the notion of imaginary speed, suggesting that there may be errors in the calculations, such as a missing minus sign.
  • Some participants discuss the assumptions made regarding the relationship between the position vectors and the implications for the work-energy theorem.
  • Concerns are raised about the interpretation of gravitational force, with one participant noting that the force presented appears to be repulsive rather than attractive, which contradicts conventional understanding.
  • A later reply corrects an earlier assumption about the relationship between the position vectors, stating that the correct assumption should be the opposite of what was initially proposed.
  • One participant asserts that the magnitude of the force vector is always positive, regardless of whether the force is attractive or repulsive.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of imaginary speed and the assumptions made in the derivation. There is no consensus on whether speed can be imaginary, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of the calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the assumptions made about the position vectors and the nature of the gravitational force, which may affect the validity of the conclusions drawn in the discussion.

ManishR
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Consider mass m_{1}and m_{2}with position vector (from an inertial frame) \overrightarrow{x_{1}} and \overrightarrow{x_{2}} respectively and distance between them be x_{0}.

m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{1}}=\overrightarrow{F}

\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}(\overrightarrow{x_{2}}-\overrightarrow{x_{0}})=\overrightarrow{F} because its assumed that \overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}

\Rightarrow-\overrightarrow{F}\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}}+m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{0}}=\overrightarrow{F} because m_{2}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=-\overrightarrow{F}

\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{0}}=\overrightarrow{F}(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}})

\Rightarrow\left(m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{0}\right)\hat{x_{0}}=\overrightarrow{F}(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}}) because its assumed that \frac{d\hat{x_{0}}}{dt}=0

\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{0}=F(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}}) because \overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}\Leftrightarrow\hat{x_{0}}=\hat{F}, F = Gravitational Force

\Rightarrow m_{1}\int_{x_{i}}^{x_{f}}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{0}dx_{0}=(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}})\int_{x_{i}}^{x_{f}}Fdx_{0} because normally we have F as F(x_{0}).

\Rightarrow\left.\frac{1}{2}m_{1}v^{2}\right|_{v=v_{i}}^{v=v_{f}}=(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}})\int_{x_{i}}^{x_{f}}Fdx_{0} because \overrightarrow{v_{0}}=\overrightarrow{v},\left|\overrightarrow{v_{0}}\right|^{2}=(\frac{dx_{0}}{dt})^{2}

in Earth and an object case, let m_{1}=m, m_{2}=m_{e},x_{i}=x_{e} and F=G\frac{mm_{e}}{x_{0}^{2}}.

\Rightarrow\left.\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\right|_{v=v_{i}}^{v=v_{f}}=\left.-G\frac{m(m+m_{e})}{x_{0}}\right|_{x_{0}=x_{i}}^{x_{0}=x_{f}}

Escape Velocity = v_{i} when v_{f}=0 and x_{f}\rightarrow\infty.

\Rightarrow-\frac{1}{2}mv_{i}^{2}=G\frac{m(m+m_{e})}{x_{e}}

\Rightarrow\frac{1}{2}mv_{i}^{2}=-G\frac{m(m+m_{e})}{x_{e}}

\Rightarrow v_{initial}=i\left(G\frac{m+m_{e}}{x_{e}}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}

\RightarrowI don't understand how much speed is this.

Its not just escape velocity, if we don't include imaginery number domian in speed then it implies that if v(x_{f})>v(x_{i}) then x_{f}>x_{i} which is also incorrect.

so question is, can speed be a imaginary number ? How do i give imaginary escape speed to an object?
 
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A speed can't be imaginary, you must have done something wrong in your calculations (a minus sign missing somewhere or something like this). However, I would suggest that you add some comments so we can understand what is happening in your calculations. As it is now, I don't really understand what you're trying to calculate.
 
i am deriving work energy theoram in 1d and proving that speed can be imaginary.
F,x_{1},x_{2},x_{0},v,>0 as these are modulous part of vector quantities.

Consider mass m_{1}and m_{2}with position vector (from an inertial frame) \overrightarrow{x_{1}} and \overrightarrow{x_{2}} respectively and distance between them be x_{0}.
variable definations
m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{1}}=\overrightarrow{F}
this is Newton's law.
\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}(\overrightarrow{x_{2}}-\overrightarrow{x_{0}})=\overrightarrow{F} because its assumed that \overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}

either \overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}
or \overrightarrow{x_{2}}-\overrightarrow{x_{1}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}
is true. i chose first. however it does not make any difference in
the results.

\Rightarrow\left(m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{0}\right)\hat{x_{0}}=\overrightarrow{F}(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}}) because its assumed that \frac{d\hat{x_{0}}}{dt}=0
It has to be assumed that system is not rotating as it is nesscery condition for work energy theoram.

Its not just escape velocity, if we don't include imaginery number domian in speed then it implies that if v(x_{f})>v(x_{i}) then x_{f}>x_{i} which is also incorrect.

Let x_{f}>x_{i}.

Since \left.\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\right|_{v=v_{i}}^{v=v_{f}}=\left.-G\frac{m(m+m_{e})}{x_{0}}\right|_{x_{0}=x_{i}}^{x_{0}=x_{f}}

\Rightarrow v_{f}^{2}>v_{i}^{2}

\Rightarrow v_{f}>v_{i}
 
ManishR said:
m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}\overrightarrow{x_{1}}=\overrightarrow{F}

\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}(\overrightarrow{x_{2}}-\overrightarrow{x_{0}})=\overrightarrow{F} because its assumed that \overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}}

I am too lazy to check whether that matters for your calculations and whether you used the different definition all the time, but if you assume \vec{x}_1 -\vec{x}_2=\vec{x}_0
then you have to replace \vec{x}_1 by \vec{x}_2 +\vec{x}_0 instead of \vec{x}_2 -\vec{x}_0.

Also, I am puzzled what force F=G\frac{mm_{e}}{x_{0}^{2}} is supposed to be. This is a force which has the magnitude of gravity, but is repulsive instead of attractive. Gravitational force would be given by F=-G\frac{mm_{e}}{x_{0}^{2}}.

Alternatively, it would be more sensible to assume \hat{x_{0}}=-\hat{F}.
\vec{x}_0 is always the vector starting at \vec{x}_2 and pointing towards \vec{x}_1. The gravitational force on \vec{x}_1 also pointing away from \vec{x}_2 does not make much sense.
 
Last edited:
\overrightarrow{x_{1}}-\overrightarrow{x_{2}}=\overrightarrow{x_{0}} is wrong assumption.

the correct assumption is \overrightarrow{x_{2}}-\overrightarrow{x_{1}}=x_{0}\hat{F}

\Rightarrow-m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}(x_{0}\hat{F})=\overrightarrow{F}(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}})

\Rightarrow m_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{0}=-F(1+\frac{m_{1}}{m_{2}}) ..[1]

\Rightarrow\left.\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\right|_{v=v_{i}}^{v=v_{f}}=\left.G\frac{m(m+m_{e})}{x_{0}}\right|_{x_{0}=x_{i}}^{x_{0}=x_{f}}

\Rightarrow v_{esacpe}=\left(G\frac{m+m_{e}}{x_{e}}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}

ok everything is alright thanks everyone

Cthugha said:
Also, I am puzzled what force F=G\frac{mm_{e}}{x_{0}^{2}} is supposed to be. This is a force which has the magnitude of gravity, but is repulsive instead of attractive. Gravitational force would be given by F=-G\frac{mm_{e}}{x_{0}^{2}}.

F is magnitude of force vector and its always positive whether its attractive or repulsive.
 

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