Integral with initial conditions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation related to motion, specifically involving the relationship between velocity, displacement, and time under the influence of gravity. The original poster attempts to derive expressions for velocity and displacement using integration and initial conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various equations relating velocity and displacement, questioning the dimensional consistency of the original equations. Some express confusion about the dependence of certain variables on time versus displacement, while others attempt to clarify the integration process involved in the problem.

Discussion Status

There has been a progression in the discussion, with some participants providing corrections and clarifications regarding the equations used. A few have successfully derived expressions for displacement, but questions remain about the proper integration techniques and the role of initial conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note issues with the initial equations provided, including dimensional analysis and the need for integration constants. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions made regarding the relationships between variables.

Karol
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


$$\frac{dy}{dx}=f(x)~\rightarrow~dy=f(x)dx~\rightarrow~y=\int f(x)dx$$
$$F=ma,~a=\frac{dv}{dt}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


$$-\frac{mgR}{s^2}=mv\left( \frac{dv}{ds} \right)\rightarrow~v^2=\frac{2gR}{s}+C$$
$$v_0(s=R)=\sqrt{2gR}\rightarrow~C=2g(R-1)$$
$$v^2=\frac{2gR}{s}+2g(R-1)$$
Not good
 
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The link to the image for the start of the question does not work for me.
Your very first equation looks dimensionally wrong. If s is a displacement then gR/s2 has dimension T-2.

Edit. On reloading the page the first link works, and I see that the incorrect equation is provided. It should be mgR2/s2.
 
Last edited:
$$v=\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{2gR}\rightarrow~s=\int v_0\sqrt{2gR} \,dt$$
But that is a function of s, not t. nowhere there is t, nor in ##~a=v\frac{dv}{ds}## nor in ##~v=v_0\sqrt{2gR}##
 
Karol said:
$$v=\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{2gR}\rightarrow~s=\int v_0\sqrt{2gR} \,dt$$
But that is a function of s, not t. nowhere there is t, nor in ##~a=v\frac{dv}{ds}## nor in ##~v=v_0\sqrt{2gR}##
I have no idea what you are doing there. v is not v0√(2gR). Where did that come from?
 
$$\left\{ \begin{array}{l} v^2=\frac{2gR^2}{s}+C \\ v_0(s=R)=\sqrt{2gR} \end{array} \right. \rightarrow~C=0$$
$$v^2=\frac{2gR^2}{s} \rightarrow~v=R\sqrt{\frac{2g}{s}}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}$$
 
Karol said:
$$\left\{ \begin{array}{l} v^2=\frac{2gR^2}{s}+C \\ v_0(s=R)=\sqrt{2gR} \end{array} \right. \rightarrow~C=0$$
$$v^2=\frac{2gR^2}{s} \rightarrow~v=R\sqrt{\frac{2g}{s}}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}$$
Yes.
 
So now i return to my question in post #3:
Karol said:
But that is a function of s, not t. nowhere there is t, nor in ##~a=v\frac{dv}{ds}## nor in ##~v=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}##
 
Karol said:
So now i return to my question in post #3:
v=ds/dt.
 
$$v=\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}\rightarrow~s=\int v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}} \,dt$$
 
  • #10
Karol said:
$$v=\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}\rightarrow~s=\int v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}} \,dt$$
It does not go anywhere. You have a separable differential equation, you can integral a function of s with respect to s. and a function of t with respect to t.
 
  • #11
$$\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}\rightarrow~\sqrt{s}\,ds=v_0\sqrt{R}\,dt$$
$$s\sqrt{s}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t \rightarrow~\sqrt{s^3}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t$$
It isn't ##~\sqrt{s^3}=R^{3/2}[ 1+(3v_0t/2R) ]##
 
  • #12
Karol said:
$$\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}\rightarrow~\sqrt{s}\,ds=v_0\sqrt{R}\,dt$$
$$s\sqrt{s}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t \rightarrow~\sqrt{s^3}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t$$
It isn't ##~\sqrt{s^3}=R^{3/2}[ 1+(3v_0t/2R) ]##
Did you forget how to integrate a power function? And you also omitted the integration constant.
 
  • #13
$$\frac{ds}{dt}=v_0\sqrt{\frac{R}{s}}\rightarrow~\int \sqrt{s}\,ds=\int v_0\sqrt{R}\,dt$$
$$\frac{2}{3}s^{3/2}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t+C$$
$$s_0(t=0)=R\rightarrow~C=\frac{2}{3}R^{3/2}$$
$$\frac{2}{3}s^{3/2}=v_0\sqrt{R}\cdot t+\frac{2}{3}R^{3/2}$$
$$\rightarrow~~\sqrt{s^3}=R^{3/2}[ 1+(3v_0t/2R) ]$$
 
  • #14
Correct, at last.
 
  • #15
Thank you ehild and Haruspex
 

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