Higher Derivatives - Acceleration help

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the motion of a particle along the x-axis, where its position is defined by a given function of time. The goal is to determine the times at which the acceleration of the particle is zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the second derivative of the position function to find the acceleration. There are attempts to set the second derivative equal to zero to solve for time, with various expressions for the second derivative being proposed and corrected.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple participants questioning the accuracy of the derivatives calculated. Some guidance has been offered regarding the approach to finding when acceleration equals zero, but there is no consensus on the correct form of the second derivative yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about their algebraic manipulations and the correctness of their derivatives. There is a focus on ensuring the calculations are accurate before proceeding to solve for the times when acceleration is zero.

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Homework Statement


A particle moves along the x-axis, its position at time t is given by
$\displaystyle \Large x(t)=\frac{7 t}{6+5 t^2}, \ t\geq 0,$
where t is measured in seconds and x is in meters. The acceleration of the particle equals 0 at time t = ____ and ____ seconds.

Homework Equations


$\displaystyle \Large x(t)=\frac{7 t}{6+5 t^2}, \ t\geq 0,$
v(t) = x'(t)
a(t)=v'(t)=x''(t)

The Attempt at a Solution


once i find a(t), which is the 2nd derivative of the original function, i get:
$\displaystyle \Large a(t)=\frac{7t-7}{2t(6+5t^2)}

so when acceleration=0, $\displaystyle \Large a(t)=\frac{7t-7}{2t(6+5t^2)}=0
t=1
but what the other value?
 
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You solved the derivatives incorrectly
 
zcd said:
You solved the derivatives incorrectly

oh my bad. it should be:
-440t / (6+5t^2)

now what?
 
Last edited:
someone?
 
You still do not have the correct second derivative. (I think).
 
ok.. i give up. my algebra is good but i have no idea where to go.
this is what i got for the second derivative after doing it 20 times to make sure i didnt make mistakes:
$\displaystyle \Large x''(t)=\frac{ -70t(6+5t^2)-20t(42-35t^2) }{(6+5t^2)^2} \ $$\displaystyle \Large =\frac{ -1260t-1050t^3 }{(6+5t^2)^2} \ $

maybe I am stuck on the factoring of (42-35t^2)... but i just don't know aaaah
 
If that is the correct second derivative - and I have not checked - you are now looking for the points at which acceleration equals zero. So you set the second derivative equal to zero and solve for t.
 
2nd derivative is still wrong
\frac{dx}{dt}=-7\frac{5t^{2}-6}{(5t^{2}+6)^{2}}
\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}=-7\frac{10t(5t^{2}+6)^{2}-20t(5t^{2}+6)(5t^{2}-6)}{(5t^{2}+6)^{4}}=-70t\frac{(5t^{2}+6)-2(5t^{2}-6)}{(5t^{2}+6)^{3}}=-70t\frac{5t^{2}-18}{(5t^{2}+6)^{3}}
 
zcd said:
2nd derivative is still wrong
\frac{dx}{dt}=-7\frac{5t^{2}-6}{(5t^{2}+6)^{2}}
\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}=-7\frac{10t(5t^{2}+6)^{2}-20t(5t^{2}+6)(5t^{2}-6)}{(5t^{2}+6)^{4}}=-70t\frac{(5t^{2}+6)-2(5t^{2}-6)}{(5t^{2}+6)^{3}}=-70t\frac{5t^{2}-18}{(5t^{2}+6)^{3}}

oh so the only thing i did wrong is including the 7 in my calculations all the time.. hh tnx man!

David Gould - yeah i know that but the thing is i got 0 all the time and i needed another value so here i got it.. tnx
 

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