Help Solve Differentiation Problem to Slow Boat Speed to 45 km/h

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a differentiation problem related to a boat's deceleration due to friction. The boat, initially traveling at 90 km/h (25 m/s), experiences a frictional force proportional to its speed, described by the equation fk = 70v. The correct method involves recognizing that the acceleration is not constant, leading to the differential equation dv/dt = -kv/m. By integrating this equation, the solution for the time required to slow the boat to 45 km/h (12.5 m/s) is derived, resulting in a time of approximately 9.9 seconds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, particularly differentiation and integration.
  • Familiarity with Newton's Second Law of Motion.
  • Knowledge of natural logarithms and their properties.
  • Ability to convert units between kilometers per hour and meters per second.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of differential equations in physics, particularly in motion problems.
  • Learn about integrating factors and their use in solving first-order differential equations.
  • Explore the concept of variable acceleration and its implications in real-world scenarios.
  • Practice problems involving frictional forces and their impact on motion dynamics.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus and physics, particularly those interested in applying differentiation to real-world motion problems, as well as educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods in these subjects.

Saladsamurai
Messages
3,009
Reaction score
7
So I posted this earlier and it got to a point where differentiation is necessary. I am a little familiar with differentiation, but not to the point where I know how to apply the concepts I have recently learned in Calculus. i would greatly appreciate somebody walking me through the process...it should be fairly simple in this particular problem. Again, this problem is for my own personal practice, not for a class, and I am very interested in finding out how to apply these concepts.
Thanks~Casey

Original Post:

Homework Statement


A 1000kg Boat is traveling 90km/h when its engine is cut. The magnitude of the frictional force fk is proportional to the boat's speed v: fk=70v, where v is in m/s and fk is in Newtons. Find the time required for the boat to slow to 45 km/h.



Homework Equations


Newton's Second
V^2=Vo^2+2a(X-Xo)
X-Xo=volt+1/2at^2
V=Vo+aT

The Attempt at a Solution


Vo=25m/s
V=12.5m/s
fk=70v=1750N

I drew a FBD and it seems that since the engine was cut, there is only fk in the x direction. Thus, fk=ma--->1750=-1000a-->a=-1.75
Then I used V=Vo+at---> t=(V-Vo)/a
-->t=(12.5-25)/-1.75=7.1
But this is not correct...9.9seconds is the correct solution.
Any advice is appreciated.
~Casey

...It was pointed out that "a" is not constant. But I am not sure where to go from here as I have only dealt with problems dealing with constant acceleration...what am I differentiating? I am not sure of the equation...or how to derive one. hollah.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yeah. The retardation is not constant since the magnitude of the frictional force depends on the speed of the boat.

So, at a particular instant of time, assume the speed to be v. At that moment, the force acting on it is kv in the -x direction (k=70). Which means that the instantaneous acceleration is v(k/m).

This means, \frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{kv}{m}
Integrating this equation, you get the expression, ln(v)=\frac{kt}{m}+c where c is the constant of integration.

Now, at t=0, the engine was cut and the boat had a speed of 90km/h.
Putting that into the equation, you get c=ln(90).
So, your final expression is:
ln(v)=\frac{kt}{m}+ln(90), where ln is natural logarithm.

Using this, put v=45 and solve for t to get the time required.
 

Similar threads

Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K