Deriving v and a from a x(t)-function

  • Thread starter Thread starter astenroo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    deriving
AI Thread Summary
The position function of a particle is given by x(t) = A + Bt + Ct² + Dt³, with constants A=4.0, B=2.0, C=-3, and D=1.0. The units of the constants are determined to be [A]=m, [B]=ms⁻¹, [C]=ms⁻², and [D]=ms⁻³. The velocity expression derived is v(t) = 3t² - 6t + 2, with an instantaneous velocity of 11 m/s at t=3s and an acceleration of 12 m/s² at that time. The acceleration at t=1s is calculated to be 0 m/s², confirmed through both graphical analysis and limit evaluation. The calculations and interpretations presented appear to be correct.
astenroo
Messages
47
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Hi again folks! I just need confirmation on this, since I'm quite sure I've got it right. Anyway here it goes.

The position of a particle is given by the function x(t)= A + Bt + Ct² + Dt³. The values of the constants are the following: A= 4,0; B=2,0; C= -3 and D=1,0.
a) Give the units of the constants if [x]=m and [t]=s
b) What is the velocity and acceleration at t=3s?
c) Give an expression for the velocity v=v(t) and make a sketch for the time interval 0 to 3s
d) From the graph, give the acceleration at t=1s
e) Compute the acceleration at t=1s by examining the quota delta t / delta v for the time intervals delta t= 1,0s; 0,5s; 0,1s and 0,001s


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


a) since [x]=m and [t]=s, then [A]=m, = ms^{-1}, [C]= ms^{-2} and [D]= ms^{-3}
b) I differentiate once to get the expression for v, v=dx/dt = 3Dt² + 2 Ct + B which gives the instantaneous velocity (perhaps speed in this case) as 11 m/s. Differentiate a second time to get a, a=d²x/dt²= 6Dt + 2C which gives the acceleration at t=3s to be 12m/s²
c) The expression of v I got to be this (taking the constants into account) v= v(t) = 3t² - 6t + 2. this gives a parabola (or part of one) with its apex at v = -1 at t=1. So, the acceleration would be 0 m/s².
d) With limiting function and the given time intervals a approaches zero as delta t approaches zero

I'd really like confirmation on this one :) Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
They look correct to me.
 
rock.freak667 said:
They look correct to me.

Thank you :)
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top