How to Integrate a Function to Solve Air Resistance Equations?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating a function to solve air resistance equations as presented in "Elementary Differential Equations" by Edwards and Penney. Participants explore the integration process, the derivation of equations, and the challenges faced in isolating variables and constants.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in integrating the function to derive the air resistance equations and seeks assistance.
  • Another participant provides a detailed integration process, presenting equations and transformations, but does not clarify all intermediate steps.
  • Questions arise regarding the manipulation of constants in the equations, particularly in the transition from one equation to another.
  • A participant mentions using a specific calculator model, indicating a potential limitation in computational tools available to them.
  • Further clarification is requested on the integration steps and the isolation of the variable "v".
  • One participant suggests that constants can be absorbed into arbitrary constants during the integration process, which may help simplify the equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the integration steps and the handling of constants. Multiple viewpoints and questions remain unresolved, indicating ongoing uncertainty and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note missing intermediate steps in the integration process, and there is uncertainty about the treatment of constants in the equations. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with the mathematical concepts involved.

Us477
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I have been unable to solve this problem featured in "Elementary Differential Equations" by Edwards and Penney. The problem is this: I do not know how to integrate the function, and get the desired result. I would very much appreciated any help and instructions on how to get the two air resistance equations by integrating the function.

Thanks

Søren, Denmark

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U477 said:
I have been unable to solve this problem featured in "Elementary Differential Equations" by Edwards and Penney. The problem is this: I do not know how to integrate the function, and get the desired result. I would very much appreciated any help and instructions on how to get the two air resistance equations by integrating the function.

Thanks

Søren, Denmark

View attachment 615

The ODE can be written with the variables v and t separated as...

$\displaystyle \frac{d v}{1 - \frac{k}{m g}\ v^{2}} = g\ d t$ (1)

... and remembering that is...

$\displaystyle \int \frac{d u}{1-a\ u^{2}} = \frac{\tanh^{-1} (\sqrt{a}\ u)}{\sqrt{a}} + c$ (2)

... You obtain...$\displaystyle \tanh^{-1} (\sqrt{\frac{k}{m\ g}}\ v) = \sqrt{\frac{k\ g}{m}}\ t + c $ (3)

... and from (3)...

$\displaystyle v = \sqrt{\frac{m\ g}{k}} \tanh (\sqrt{\frac{k\ g}{m}}\ t + c)$ (4)

Now You can proceed if You are able to find the constant c and that is possible if the initial speed v(0) is given... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Thanks for your help.

I have a few questions for your solution -

1) Why are the position of the constants changed inside the radical in (3) – I am thinking they should be the same.

2) When I try to isolate ”v” I end up with a fraction - how did you go from (3) to (4)

I'm still new to all this thanks for helping me out
 
U477 said:
Thanks for your help.

I have a few questions for your solution -

1) Why are the position of the constants changed inside the radical in (3) – I am thinking they should be the same.

2) When I try to isolate ”v” I end up with a fraction - how did you go from (3) to (4)

I'm still new to all this thanks for helping me out

I apologize to have omitted some intermediate stage and I suggest You, as useful exercise, to try Yourself to complete my work...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Yeah, I tried that but couldn't come up with your result. For your information, I use a N-spire calculator.
 
Last edited:
U477 said:
...for your information, I use a N-spire calculator...

Unfortunately I don't have available such a powerful math tool...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
So you have
$$\frac{1}{g} \, \frac{dv}{dt}=1- \frac{k}{mg}\,v^{2}$$
$$\int \frac{dv}{1- \frac{k}{mg} \,v^{2}}=g \int dt$$
$$ \frac{ \tanh^{-1} \left( \sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}} \, v \right)}{ \sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}} }=gt+c$$
$$\tanh^{-1} \left( \sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}} \, v \right)= \sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}}\, (gt+c)$$
$$\tanh^{-1} \left( \sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}} \, v \right)= \sqrt{ \frac{k g^{2}}{mg}}\,t+\sqrt{ \frac{k}{mg}} \, c= \sqrt{ \frac{kg}{m}}\,t+c'.$$
Can you continue from here? Note that a constant times an arbitrary constant is just another arbitrary constant - in DE's, you often absorb known constants into arbitrary constants, and relabel as the original arbitrary constant. So the $c'$ above becomes $c$ again.
 
Last edited:
Thank you very very much you have been a great help!
 

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