Differential equations question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation related to the motion of a rock falling through water, where the acceleration decreases with velocity. The initial attempt at solving the equation led to an expression for acceleration that included an incorrect factor of 2 in the exponential term. Participants clarified that the correct form of the acceleration should not include this factor, as it arises from a misunderstanding of the integration process. The second method presented was deemed incorrect because it assumed a known function for velocity, which was not established. Ultimately, the conversation emphasized the importance of correctly identifying the functional relationships in differential equations.
Spoti112
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I saw this problem and solved it but still I had one question...

Homework Statement


A rock falls through water with a continuously decreasing acceleration. Assume that the rock’s acceleration as a function of velocity has the form ay = g - bvy where b is a positive constant. (The +y direction is directly downward.) Prove mathematically that if the rock is released from rest at time t=0, the acceleration will depend exponentially on time according to ay(t) = g*e-2bt.

ay = g - bVy , b>0 , b=const
t=0 → V0=0 m/s

Homework Equations


dVy/dt = ay
Vy = ∫aydt

The Attempt at a Solution


ay = g - bVy
dVy/dt = g - bVy
dVy / (g - bVy) = dt ⇒ t = -(1/b)*ln(g - bVy) + c
0=-(1/b)*ln(g - bVy) + c ⇒ c = (ln(g)) / b
⇒ bt = ln(g) - ln(ay) ⇒ ay(t) = g*e-2bt

BUT... when i do it this way it doesn't i get this: (this was my first try)
Vy = ∫aydt = gt - bVyt + c
t=0 → V0=0 ⇒ c=0
Vy = gt - bVyt ⇒ Vy * (1+bt) = gt
ay = dVy/dt = (d/dt) * ( gt/(1+bt) ) = g/(bt+1)2 → ?

is this second answer correct?
 
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Spoti112 said:
I saw this problem and solved it but still I had one question...

Homework Statement


A rock falls through water with a continuously decreasing acceleration. Assume that the rock’s acceleration as a function of velocity has the form ay = g - bvy where b is a positive constant. (The +y direction is directly downward.) Prove mathematically that if the rock is released from rest at time t=0, the acceleration will depend exponentially on time according to ay(t) = g*e-2bt.

ay = g - bVy , b>0 , b=const
t=0 → V0=0 m/s

Homework Equations


dVy/dt = ay
Vy = ∫aydt

The Attempt at a Solution


ay = g - bVy
dVy/dt = g - bVy
dVy / (g - bVy) = dt ⇒ t = -(1/b)*ln(g - bVy) + c
0=-(1/b)*ln(g - bVy) + c ⇒ c = (ln(g)) / b
⇒ bt = ln(g) - ln(ay) ⇒ ay(t) = g*e-2bt

BUT... when i do it this way it doesn't i get this: (this was my first try)
Vy = ∫aydt = gt - bVyt + c
t=0 → V0=0 ⇒ c=0
Vy = gt - bVyt ⇒ Vy * (1+bt) = gt
ay = dVy/dt = (d/dt) * ( gt/(1+bt) ) = g/(bt+1)2 → ?

is this second answer correct?
Where does the 2 come from in the exponential in your first answer? I believe there should not be any 2 there. ## \\ ## For this problem, I like to write the equation ## \frac{dv}{dt}=g-bv ## as a differential equation ## \frac{dv}{dt}+bv=g ## and then find the homogeneous solution, along with the particular solution for ## v ##. Taking ## a=\frac{dv}{dt} ## gives the final result. I got the same answer in that manner, but again, without a 2 in the exponential. ## \\ ## For your second method, you don't know what the function ## v=v(t) ## looks like, so you can't integrate ## \int bv \, dt ##. The result you give for the integral is incorrect, and really undetermined, until you know what ## v=v(t) ## is.
 
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sorry there is no 2. I have made a mistake when i was writing this post... and i copied it everywhere...
 
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Charles Link said:
For your second method, you don't know what the function v=v(t)v=v(t) v=v(t) looks like, so you can't integrate ∫bvdt∫bvdt \int bv \, dt . The result you give for the integral is incorrect, and really undetermined, until you know what v=v(t)v=v(t) v=v(t) is.
don`t i know the function from the V(t=0)=0 and the differential equation that i get from the integral Vy = ∫aydt (here i integrate a known function) ?
i mean aren't these two thing enough?
 
Spoti112 said:
don`t i know the function from the V(t=0)=0 and the differential equation that i get from the integral Vy = ∫aydt (here i integrate a known function) ?
i mean aren't these two thing enough?
The statement ## v=\int\limits_{0}^{t} a \, dt +v_o ## is correct, but when you put in the form ## a=g-bv ## , you are now working with ## v=v(t) ## in the integral. ## v ## is not a constant in this integrand, and you do not know its functional form ## v=v(t) ##.
 
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GOT it! thank you very much!
 
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