Difficult integral - Falling mass

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation related to the motion of a falling mass, specifically focusing on the equation dt/dv = 1/g (1/(1-a^2*v^2)), where a is defined as (k/mg)^(1/2). Participants are attempting to derive a solution for velocity as a function of time.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring integration techniques and questioning the application of integration laws. There are discussions about the correct interpretation of the differential equation and its solution. Some participants express confusion over the derivatives involved and the use of logarithmic functions.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and clarifications on the integration process. Some have suggested using partial fractions to simplify the integral, while others are still grappling with the correct application of differentiation rules. There is no explicit consensus on the solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted the importance of using proper notation and formatting in their posts. There is also a mention of the need to clarify assumptions and definitions related to the variables involved in the differential equation.

Cincin
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Homework Statement


Solve the differential equation, dt/dv= 1/g (1/1-a^2*v^2) where a = (k/mg)^1/2 to yield v= 1/a(1-e^-2agt/1+e^-2agt).

Homework Equations


F=ma
Newton's 2nd Law
Integration Laws

The Attempt at a Solution


See image. I think I'm getting messed up on the integration laws.
 

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Please post threads in the proper forum by subject.

Solving differential equations and calculating integrals are by nature calculus problems, not pre-calculus.
 
Cincin said:

Homework Statement


Solve the differential equation, dt/dv= 1/g (1/1-a^2*v^2) where a = (k/mg)^1/2 to yield v= 1/a(1-e^-2agt/1+e^-2agt).

Homework Equations


F=ma
Newton's 2nd Law
Integration Laws

The Attempt at a Solution


See image. I think I'm getting messed up on the integration laws.

Your differential equation
\frac{dt}{dv} = \frac{1}{g} \left( \frac{1}{1} - a^2 v^2 \right) = \frac{1}{g} ( 1 - a^2 v^2)
(which is what you wrote) does not have the solution
v = \frac{1}{a} \left( 1 - e^{-2} \frac{agt}{1} + e^{-2} agt \right)
which is what you wrote. If these are not what you mean, you need to start using parentheses.

I did not look at the attached image; I look only at typed work, which is the preferred format in this Forum.
 
Ray Vickson said:
Your differential equation
\frac{dt}{dv} = \frac{1}{g} \left( \frac{1}{1} - a^2 v^2 \right) = \frac{1}{g} ( 1 - a^2 v^2)
(which is what you wrote) does not have the solution
v = \frac{1}{a} \left( 1 - e^{-2} \frac{agt}{1} + e^{-2} agt \right)
which is what you wrote. If these are not what you mean, you need to start using parentheses.

I did not look at the attached image; I look only at typed work, which is the preferred format in this Forum.

Sorry for the misconception. I meant to write:
dt/dv = 1/g ((1)/(1-a^2v^2))
V = 1/a ((1-e^(-2agt))/(1+e^(-2agt)))

Hopefully this is clearer.
 
Cincin said:
Sorry for the misconception. I meant to write:
dt/dv = 1/g ((1)/(1-a^2v^2))
V = 1/a ((1-e^(-2agt))/(1+e^(-2agt)))

Hopefully this is clearer.
Try to use LaTeX (https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/ )
Do you mean:
##\displaystyle \frac{dt}{dv}= \frac{1}{g}\frac{1}{1-a²v²}##
##\displaystyle v=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1-e^{-2agt}}{1+e^{-2agt}}##?
 
\frac{dt} {dv} = \frac{1} {g} ( \frac{1} {1 - a^2 v^2} )

v = \frac{1} {a} ( \frac{1 - e^(-2agt)} {1 + e^(-2agt)} )

The (-2agt) is to the power of e
e^(-2agt)
Sorry for the confusion guys! :(
 
Samy_A said:
Try to use LaTeX (https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/ )
Do you mean:
##\displaystyle \frac{dt}{dv}= \frac{1}{g}\frac{1}{1-a²v²}##
##\displaystyle v=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1-e^{-2agt}}{1+e^{-2agt}}##?

\frac{dt} {dv} = \frac{1} {g} ( \frac{1} {1 - a^2 v^2} )

v = \frac{1} {a} ( \frac{1 - e^{-2agt}} {1 + e^{-2agt}} )

This is what I mean to write.
Sorry for the confusion guys! :(
 
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Great!

Now back to the exercise:

integral.jpg


Something went wrong in the part I circled in red.
The derivative of ##\log (1-a²v²)## is ##\frac{-2av}{1-a²v²}##.

EDIT: To fix the error above: the derivative of ##\log (1-a²v²)## is ##\frac{-2a²v}{1-a²v²}##.
 
Last edited:
Samy_A said:
Great!

Now back to the exercise:

View attachment 98245

Something went wrong in the part I circled in red.
The derivative of ##\log (1-a²v²)## is ##\frac{-2av}{1-a²v²}##.

Yeh, I know there is probably an issue here in my work, but I wrote: ##\ln (1 - a^2 v^2)## when derived, this gives ##\frac{1}{1-a^2 v^2}## doesn't it?
 
  • #10
Cincin said:
Yeh, I know there is probably an issue here in my work, but I wrote: ##\ln (1 - a^2 v^2)## when derived, this gives ##\frac{1}{1-a^2 v^2}## doesn't it?
No, it gives ##\frac{-2a²v}{1-a^2 v^2}## (I forgot the a² in my previous post).

You have to apply the chain rule.
If ##f(x)=\ln g(x)##, then ##f'(x)=\frac{g'(x)}{g(x)}##.
 
  • #11
Samy_A said:
No, it gives ##\frac{-2a²v}{1-a^2 v^2}## (I forgot the a² in my previous post).

You have to apply the chain rule.
If ##f(x)=\ln g(x)##, then ##f'(x)=\frac{g'(x)}{g(x)}##.
Yeahh I'm really stuck on this one. I don't know how I can get my ##g'(x) = 1## whilst the bottom ##= 1 - a^2 v^2##??
 
  • #13
  • #14
So now you can solve that to get v in function of t.
Remember that ##\ln \frac{b}{c}=\ln b -\ln c##.
 
  • #15
Hi Cincin, Nice to see you are working on your assignment.
 

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