How to solve this differential equation?

In summary: If you had a course in differential equations, didn't they teach you how to solve an n'th order linear ordinary differential equation with constant coefficients?Perhaps the differential equation is ##m\dot{v_y}=-b(v_y-v_{ter})##? if yes then what you doing seems correct except from the last integration step which should be$$m(\ln|v_y-v_{ter}|-\ln|v_{y_0}-v_{ter}|)=-bt$$This after some algebraic manipulation I believe it agrees with your equation (2.30).Otherwise if the ODE is exactly as you write at OP then as @Chestermiller notes, you
  • #1
SpaceIsCool
6
1

Homework Statement



We solved the differential equation (2.29),
3jQQorlME_t__2tW6a8kcnYMlu3IQt04D8vDrtjBPfupq1HsNrmZUl4xD1bMqDKY3ssnC-gk-e0sg9TyVu5zgFWU6VsDs5dw.png
, for the velocity of an object falling through air, by inspection---a most respectable way of solving differential equations. Nevertheless, one would sometimes like a more systematic method, and here is one. Rewrite the equation in the “separated” form

XX1f9LT1V4iwLFhOj0k17drHhyTjkFlbPurmlbw2iveZyOY70N-4lnsJ8nUSC3cy-BfGiq8hJ43C7kc4ynZMgcGMLMb88cfc.png


and integrate both sides from time 0 to
hFE8d86mE5qF60vFSYngvVUpWFO68N1uVz5xGeu-sdHjYX8yyDs4qyalPiGohlD-DzZB5cO0NK1No--OW9J5HFcXei2jS3kR.png
to find
G2YEY28crCFfirUT4r7rOHNBaqxt3skHs4ekGyy7QIkYNYJMb9qQRwnt8Y4FDIwi7g143bzRjZdRbStBbwEfDVbrHMPtZ2wq.png
as a function of
8O4uKQnrmKWgR9UXYtK_PW1xcKLsdhnUg2degFW--u1CO84TGSRm2KcGLfcbAWyOdelH6M3yuu9tGdKH2IV5ExkbePnjzWzD.png
. Compare with (2.30).

Homework Equations



XX1f9LT1V4iwLFhOj0k17drHhyTjkFlbPurmlbw2iveZyOY70N-4lnsJ8nUSC3cy-BfGiq8hJ43C7kc4ynZMgcGMLMb88cfc.png
[/B], equation to integrate/solve.

5QaZ9UrgA6wAB6mhn4OqOWzSES5iMKWq5HeIyNUGso3ndh-iMCdNLtkStb_BTCMFG1FJftZiANbli2Zo348uSWuMx19EXBa9.png
, answer should like this.

The Attempt at a Solution



Integrate both sides of the separated form of the differential equation from time 0 to t and then write
FNV42vu_LJT7kC0fuNcaHis6ixZXlVrOAWtlALmrPOaeDAfRi_eI6YIiiGtmYj4_vUbVjdFCqhOINDnhpPXX6F29AvH3d_5M.png
. After this, I will compare my answer to equation 2.30 which is
5QaZ9UrgA6wAB6mhn4OqOWzSES5iMKWq5HeIyNUGso3ndh-iMCdNLtkStb_BTCMFG1FJftZiANbli2Zo348uSWuMx19EXBa9.png
.

AATrdWCxsgaZiMrK_EVvJA8r04k2mPrRD1RkRyOQjLMBfO8Jfd-cB-T9FosAtd6RnF_lwC5ufVhlxA1bD43bwv94WCNop01A.png
. This gives
uVh4fi89LFMNhydQFiEj8Zqg5PcabxW1p9-KV6nFoYOPqGd4OFBd8OASdAY4nJzF3TsXecQhJvXOE85om7SsDJ8T7SuvcY7F.png
. This is as far as I could get. I don't know how to get it into the form v_y(t).
 

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  • #3
DrClaude said:
@SpaceIsCool In case you don’t understand that, your first relavent equation will look like:
$$(md\upsilon_y) / (\upsilon_y - \upsilon_{ter}) = -bdt$$

The code is:
Code:
(md\upsilon_y) / (\upsilon_y - \upsilon_{ter}) = -bdt
 
  • #4
Young physicist said:
@SpaceIsCool In case you don’t understand that, your first relavent equation will look like:
$$(md\upsilon_y) / (\upsilon_y - \upsilon_{ter}) = -bdt$$

The code is:
Code:
(md\upsilon_y) / (\upsilon_y - \upsilon_{ter}) = -bdt
Hello,

I'm not asking about latex help. Do I need to fix this before this question can be answered? I'm kinda new to using the forum.
 
  • #5
SpaceIsCool said:
I'm not asking about latex help. Do I need to fix this before this question can be answered? I'm kinda new to using the forum.
You can leave it as is for now, but please write the equations directly in the post instead of inserting them as figures. It makes the post harder to read and difficult to quote.
 
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  • #6
DrClaude said:
You can leave it as is for now, but please write the equations directly in the post instead of inserting them as figures. It makes the post harder to read and difficult to quote.

Okay. I understand. Thanks!
 
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  • #7
##v''=\frac{d^2v}{dt^2}##, not ##\frac{dv}{dy}##. So your whole methodology from step 1 is incorrect.

If you had a course in differential equations, didn't they teach you how to solve an n'th order linear ordinary differential equation with constant coefficients?
 
  • #8
Perhaps the differential equation is ##m\dot{v_y}=-b(v_y-v_{ter})##? if yes then what you doing seems correct except from the last integration step which should be

$$m(\ln|v_y-v_{ter}|-\ln|v_{y_0}-v_{ter}|)=-bt$$
This after some algebraic manipulation I believe it agrees with your equation (2.30).Otherwise if the ODE is exactly as you write at OP then as @Chestermiller notes, you go wrong from the first step cause it is ##\ddot{v_y}=\frac{d^2v_y}{dt^2}## and its NOT ##\ddot{v_y}=\frac{dv_y}{dt}## which you seem to use in order to do separation of variables.
 
Last edited:

1. What is a differential equation?

A differential equation is a mathematical equation that relates a function with its derivatives. It describes the rate of change of a system over time.

2. How do I solve a differential equation?

To solve a differential equation, you need to find a function that satisfies the equation. This can be done by using various techniques such as separation of variables, substitution, or using an integrating factor.

3. What are the different types of differential equations?

There are several types of differential equations, including ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, linear and nonlinear differential equations, and first-order and higher-order differential equations.

4. What are initial and boundary conditions in differential equations?

Initial conditions are values of the dependent variable and its derivatives at a specific initial point, while boundary conditions are values of the dependent variable at specific boundary points. Both are necessary to find a unique solution to a differential equation.

5. Can differential equations be solved analytically?

Some differential equations can be solved analytically, meaning a closed-form solution can be found. However, for many complex differential equations, an analytical solution may not exist, and numerical methods must be used to approximate the solution.

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