# How do I find velocity when force is not a constant?

how can i find velocity if force is not constant, but a function of distance. I tried integrating the equation for the force, but that doesn't account for the mass of the object.

the given equation for the force is F(x)=2.5-x^2, where x is distance and since F=ma I have
a=(2.5-x^2)/m.

When I tried integrating it I got velocity= -1/3x^3+2.5x which does not account for mass

Is there a quotient rule for integration?

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Welcome to PF, DBaima22
how can i find velocity if force is not constant, but a function of distance. I tried integrating the equation for the force, but that doesn't account for the mass of the object.

the given equation for the force is F(x)=2.5-x^2, where x is distance and since F=ma I have
a=(2.5-x^2)/m.

When I tried integrating it I got velocity= -1/3x^3+2.5x which does not account for mass

Is there a quotient rule for integration?

It's completely reasonable to assume that the mass of the object is constant. Therefore, this becomes trivial. You can use the relevant integration property, namely that if g(x) = f(x)/a where a = const. then:

$$\int g(x)\,dx = \int \frac{f(x)}{a}\,dx = \frac{1}{a}\int f(x)\,dx$$

If something is constant (i.e. it has no dependence on the integration variable), then it can be brought outside the integral.

So, just to be clear, if acceleration is (2.5-x^2)/m. I can write velocity as
v= -1/3x^3+2.5x/mass?

cepheid
Staff Emeritus