Equation of Motion for a Projectile Under Quadratic Air Resistance

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the equation of motion for a projectile under the influence of gravity and quadratic air resistance. The participants clarify that both forces oppose the projectile's motion, leading to the equation ma = -mg - cv² for upward motion and ma = -mg + cv² for downward motion. They emphasize the need to solve the differential equation mdv/dt = -mg - cv² and utilize integration techniques, particularly substitution and arctan, to express velocity as a function of time. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding integration methods to solve complex motion equations.

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  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Familiarity with differential equations
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, particularly substitution
  • Basic concepts of quadratic air resistance
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  • Study the derivation of the equation of motion under quadratic air resistance
  • Learn about integration techniques, specifically integration by substitution
  • Explore the application of arctan in solving integrals
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  • #91
I realized that after I wrote it.

so subbing u back in I get...

-sqrt[m/gc]arctan [sqrt[c/mg] xv
 
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  • #92
Oblio said:
I realized that after I wrote it.

so subbing u back in I get...

-sqrt[m/gc]arctan [sqrt[c/mg] xv

yes...but you need a constant so:

t = -\sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v) + C

we can solve for C by subsituting in t = 0, v = v0

so C = \sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v0)

So t = -\sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v) + \sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v0)
 
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  • #93
Ok, and somehow my two square roots will boil down to v(ter)/g and vo/v(ter) ?
 
  • #94
EDIT:

actually no... you don't need to do this... sorry about that...

you can solve for vter... at the terminal velocity the net force is 0...

mg = cv^2

vter = sqrt(mg/c)

that should work...
 
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  • #95
I only need the time to the top of the trajectory though?
Are you sure I need to find the time for down?
 
  • #96
Oblio said:
I only need the time to the top of the trajectory though?
Are you sure I need to find the time for down?

yeah you're right. you don't need that part. I think you're almost done.
 
  • #97
learningphysics said:
yeah you're right. you don't need that part. I think you're almost done.


lol phew I was worried for a sec.

have I already defined the relation that will give me

t(top) = \frac{v(ter)}{g}arctan(\frac{vo}{v(ter)}) ?
 
  • #98
Oblio said:
lol phew I was worried for a sec.

have I already defined the relation that will give me

t(top) = \frac{v(ter)}{g}arctan(\frac{vo}{v(ter)}) ?

yeah, look at post #92, with the constant evaluated... you want the time when v = 0. What time do you get? Try to sub in vter...
 
  • #99
Ok, one sec. But vter is when v=0 ?
 
  • #100
just C?
 
  • #101
Oblio said:
Ok, one sec. But vter is when v=0 ?

No. look at post #94 for vter.
 
  • #102
Oblio said:
Ok, one sec. But vter is when v=0 ?

v=0 is at the top of the trajectory.
 
  • #103
learningphysics said:
No. look at post #94 for vter.



Ok I thought you were saying that :P
 
  • #104
I got t=c for v=0
 
  • #105
and vter = sqrt[mg/c]
 
  • #106
Oblio said:
I got t=c for v=0

yes. And I've calculated C in post #92.
 
  • #107
I can manipulate the right to get the correct v/vter, but not the left yet. I need g in the denominator, but I also need it for vter...
 
  • #108
Oblio said:
I can manipulate the right to get the correct v/vter, but not the left yet. I need g in the denominator, but I also need it for vter...

vter = sqrt(mg/c)

what is vter/g ?
 
  • #109
sqrt[m/c]

but now with all the stuff C brought in I don't have the equation I'm after anymore
 
  • #110
Oblio said:
sqrt[m/c]

No, vter/g = sqrt(m/cg)

but now with all the stuff C brought in I don't have the equation I'm after anymore

I don't understand... you need to get the time to the top of the trajectory right?

time to the top of the trajectory = C.
 
  • #111
Oblio said:
lol phew I was worried for a sec.

have I already defined the relation that will give me

t(top) = \frac{v(ter)}{g}arctan(\frac{vo}{v(ter)}) ?


Yeah, the question said to solve it to this:

which I have withOUT c.. lol.. I don't get it
 
  • #112
it's the exact same thing though..
whats that mean?
 
  • #113
Oblio said:
it's the exact same thing though..
whats that mean?

t = -\sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v) + \sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v0)

you need t when v = 0,

t_{top} = \sqrt{\frac{m}{gc}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{c}{mg}}*v0)

And this equals: \frac{vter}{g}arctan(\frac{v0}{vter})
 
  • #114
Your right. I get it!
 
  • #115
when you do

sqrt[mg/c] /g

=sqrt[mg/c] x 1/g
=sqrt[mg/cg]

Now I know this is wrong, but...why?
 
  • #116
Oblio said:
when you do

sqrt[mg/c] /g

=sqrt[mg/c] x 1/g
=sqrt[mg/cg]

Now I know this is wrong, but...why?

when you bring the g under the square root... you need to square it... g = sqrt(g^2)

so your last step would be

=sqrt[mg/(cg^2)]
 
  • #117
*high school flash back*

Right!
 
  • #118
with gravity, wouldn't this give me negative time values?
 

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