Finding Displacement through integration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the displacement of a particle P, whose acceleration is inversely proportional to (t+1)³. The user initially calculates the velocity and displacement but encounters discrepancies with the book's answer. They realize that the constant of integration for velocity should not be zero, as the particle starts from rest at t=0. After recognizing this oversight, they acknowledge the importance of stepping away from the problem to gain clarity. The conversation highlights the challenges of integrating motion equations and the value of reflection in problem-solving.
GregA
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I'm having trouble with the following question:

at any time t, the acceleration of a particle P, traveling in a straight line, is inversely proportional to (t+1)3. Initially, when t = 0, P is at rest at a point O, and 3 seconds later it has a speed 2ms-1. Find in terms of t the displacement of P from O at any time.

My working (using u = t+1):

a=\frac{k}{(t+1)^3}
v=\int\frac{k}{(t+1)^3}dt = \frac{-k}{2(t+1)^2}+C

Now as the particle starts from rest at t= 0, C = 0, and when t =3, v = 2 such that

2 = \frac{-k}{2(3+1)^2} and so K= -64 giving v = \frac{32}{(t+1)^2}

I should now integrate this again to find s...
s=\int\frac{32}{(t+1)^2}dt = \frac{32}{t+1}+C
again, I can lose the constant because when t = 0 P is at the origin so that
s=\frac{32}{t+1}

problem is...the books answer is s=\frac{32t^2}{15(t+1)} and even worse...by differentiating this I find that v does indeed = 2 when t = 3. I am stumped as to how I should derive this though :frown: ... what am I doing wrong? :confused:
 
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If v is given by

\frac{-k}{2(t+1)^2}+C

and v = 0 at t = 0, then this would mean,

C = \frac{k}{2(0+1)^2} = \frac{k}{2},

not that C = 0.

Then one needs the intial dispacement at t=0
 
agh...just kept overlooking that screw up in my working :redface: ...Thanks astronuc :smile:
 
I've done the same :biggrin:

Sometimes, one has to just walk away and not think about it, and that's usually when one has an "Aha!" moment. :cool:
 
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