Expression of Acceleration and velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding expressions for velocity and acceleration from a given position function of an object with mass m. The context includes discussions around the differentiation of vector functions and the application of kinematic equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss differentiating the position function to find velocity and acceleration, with some questioning the need for magnitude calculations. There are attempts to clarify the differentiation process and the treatment of constants in derivatives.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on each other's attempts. Some guidance has been offered regarding differentiation rules and the treatment of constants, but confusion remains about specific calculations and concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of vector calculus, including the differentiation of constant terms and the application of product and chain rules. There is an emphasis on understanding the definitions and properties of constants in the context of derivatives.

ibysaiyan
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Homework Statement


The position of an object of mass m is given by:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/20110920161443.jpg/
Find expression for the velocity and the acceleration and deduce the force components acting on the particle.

Homework Equations


W = vr, v = u+at , f = ma
v = d/t

The Attempt at a Solution


I was thinking of finding out the magnitude of the position (by squaring them followed by square root),so then I could divide position by time to get velocity then use SUVAT equation but so far I have achieved nothing sensible.. I would like to know am I on the right track ?
 
Last edited:
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ibysaiyan said:

Homework Statement


The position of an object of mass m is given by:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/20110920161443.jpg/
Find expression for the velocity and the acceleration and deduce the force components acting on the particle.

Homework Equations


W = vr, v = u+at , f = ma
v = d/t

The Attempt at a Solution


I was thinking of finding out the magnitude of the position (by squaring them followed by square root),so then I could divide position by time to get velocity then use SUVAT equation but so far I have achieved nothing sensible.. I would like to know am I on the right track ?
I don't think so.

You have r as a (vector) function of t. v is defined as dr/dt, and a is defined as dv/dt.
 
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you can just differentiate the components to find the velocity (once) and acceleration (twice) components

I see no need for taking the magnitude, unless it asks for one

deduce the force using f=ma in component form
 
Thanks for your replies everyone!
Hm.. if I have understood the above posts correct then is this working of mine , right ?
r = (at+bt^2) i +4j + (Ce^-4t sin wt) k

Right, so by differentiating each components separately once i.e the first derivative should give me vector function of velocity.

component z becomes (at+bt^2) becomes: (t +2t) , 4J becomes J , and for the last component I use chain rule (un sure , I don't think product rule is appropriate)
(ce^-4t sinwt) k = (-4te^-4t cos w ) k Am I right? I am slightly confused about the 'constants' ...
hmm
 
ibysaiyan said:
Thanks for your replies everyone!
Hm.. if I have understood the above posts correct then is this working of mine , right ?
r = (at+bt^2) i +4j + (Ce^-4t sin wt) k

Right, so by differentiating each components separately once i.e the first derivative should give me vector function of velocity.

component z becomes (at+bt^2) becomes: (t +2t) , 4J becomes J , and for the last component I use chain rule (un sure , I don't think product rule is appropriate)
(ce^-4t sinwt) k = (-4te^-4t cos w ) k


Am I right? I am slightly confused about the 'constants' ...
hmm
Most of what you wrote is incorrect.
For the x (not z) component, d/dt(at + bt2) \neq t + 2t.
For the y component, d/dt(4) \neq 1.
For the z component, you need to find d/dt(Ce-4tsin(wt)). To do that, you will need to use the product rule, and then the chain rule (twice).
 
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Mark44 said:
Most of what you wrote is incorrect.
For the x (not z) component, d/dt(at + bt2) \neq t + 2t.
For the y component, d/dt(4) \neq 1.
For the z component, you need to find d/dt(Ce-4tsin(wt)). To do that, you will need to use the product rule, and then the chain rule (twice).

Thanks for the reply, could you tell me what exactly happens to the constants ?
 
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d/dt(K) = 0 and d/dt(a*f(t)) = a * f'(t)
 
Mark44 said:
d/dt(K) = 0 and d/dt(a*f(t)) = a * f'(t)

Sorry but I am further lost with the above expression.
Oh as for the derivative of 4j goes.. wouldn't that be 4 and a+2bt for i , so do the constants stay as they are ?
I think that makes sense since a 'constant' is any integer... for example if a was replaced by 3t then the derivative of that in respect to time would have been 3.
 
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Mark44 said:
d/dt(K) = 0 and d/dt(a*f(t)) = a * f'(t)

The first one says that the derivative of a constant is zero.

The second one says that the derivative of a constant times a function is the constant times the derivative of the function.

If you are finding derivatives of vector-valued functions, and you don't know these differentiation rules, you are in big trouble!

ibysaiyan said:
Sorry but I am further lost with the above expression.
Oh as for the derivative of 4j goes.. wouldn't that be 4 and a+2bt for i , so do the constants stay as they are ?

Look in your book at some examples of differentiating vector-valued functions. You don't actually differentiate the unit vectors i, j, and k. d/dt(4) \neq 4. For the other one, yes, d/dt(at + bt2) = a + 2bt
 
  • #10
ibysaiyan said:
I think that makes sense since a 'constant' is any integer
No, a constant is a fixed number. It could be an integer, but it doesn't have to be. For example, in the expression \pi x, \pi is a constant, but it isn't an integer.
ibysaiyan said:
... for example if a was replaced by 3t then the derivative of that in respect to time would have been 3.
But a is a constant, so it doesn't depend on any variable. That's why it's constant.
 
  • #11
Mark44 said:
The first one says that the derivative of a constant is zero.

The second one says that the derivative of a constant times a function is the constant times the derivative of the function.

If you are finding derivatives of vector-valued functions, and you don't know these differentiation rules, you are in big trouble!
Look in your book at some examples of differentiating vector-valued functions. You don't actually differentiate the unit vectors i, j, and k. d/dt(4) \neq 4. For the other one, yes, d/dt(at + bt2) = a + 2bt
Thanks that makes much sense now.. sorry , I thought f and a above were force and acceleration.
Mark44 said:
No, a constant is a fixed number. It could be an integer, but it doesn't have to be. For example, in the expression \pi x, \pi is a constant, but it isn't an integer.
But a is a constant, so it doesn't depend on any variable. That's why it's constant.

Oh I see.. yea how stupid can I be... ijk denote Axis... That was very sloppy of me...
 

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