Deriving the Gravitational Jerk Equation and Solving for Time and Position

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving a function that expresses position in terms of time under the influence of gravitational acceleration. The original poster references the Gravitational Jerk Equation and attempts to manipulate it to solve for time and position.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive a time function based on gravitational acceleration and expresses uncertainty in solving for position. Some participants question the derivation process and suggest methods for manipulating equations, while others express their own challenges with the mathematical concepts involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their derivations and seeking feedback. Some guidance has been offered regarding mathematical techniques, and there is an acknowledgment of varying levels of understanding among participants.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints related to their mathematical abilities and the complexity of the equations involved, including references to quadratic and cubic equations that arise during the derivation process.

MCarroll
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Is anyone aware of a function expressesing position (separation) in terms of time, s=f(x), given only acceleration due to the force of gravity.

I am aware of the Gravitational Jerk Equation

J= [tex]\frac{2Gm}{s^{3}}[/tex] [tex]\frac{ds}{dt}[/tex]

where

m=mass of attracting object
G = gravitational constant

But I can't resolve this for t.

Although I have derived an equation giving dt = f(s) as

t = - [tex]\sqrt{\frac{2}{Gm}}[/tex] * s *[tex]\sqrt{s_{0}-s}[/tex]

given v(o) = 0 (start at rest)

where

s = instantaneous separation
s(o) = orignal separation

which for a given mass of attractor m simplifies to

t = - K * s *[tex]\sqrt{s_{0}-s}[/tex]

I don't know how to solve this for s. Any thoughts?
 
Last edited:
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you don't know how to take the square of both sides? :confused:

although i don't understand how you derived that equation
 
I got some help on the Math forum so I think I am ok but I was not aware of the resolvant quadratic necessary to solve the cubic of s that results from squaring both sides. I should have mentioned my limited math ability in the first place.

I'll show my derivation of t = f(s) when I have some more time, welcoming all criticism.
 
Last edited:
EDIT/

here is what I have

s = s(o) - (at^2)/2 where v(0) = 0 and movement is in the negative direction with respect to scalar s(o).

2*[tex](s_{0}-s)[/tex] = - at[tex]^{2}[/tex]

or

2*[tex](s_{0}-s)[/tex] = at[tex]^{2}[/tex]

[tex]\sqrt{2*(s_{0}-s)}[/tex] = t * [tex]\sqrt{a}[/tex]

t = [tex]\sqrt{2*(s_{0}-s)/a}[/tex]

but a = - Gm/(s^2), so

t = - [tex]\sqrt{\frac{2}{Gm}}[/tex] * s *[tex]\sqrt{s_{0}-s}[/tex]

please criticize.
 
Last edited:

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