Integrating Height as a Function of Time: Help Needed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating a function to determine height as a function of time. The original poster is attempting to solve an integral that involves variables such as height, time, and constants related to fluid dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of the integral and the variables involved, questioning the integration limits and the notation used. There is an exploration of how time relates to the integration process and the definition of constants versus variables.

Discussion Status

The conversation has progressed with participants clarifying the integral's structure and the relationships between the variables. Some guidance has been provided regarding the correct formulation of the integral, and there is an acknowledgment of the need for an implicit expression for height as a function of time.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding notation and the integration process, as well as the need for clarity on the roles of different variables in the equation. The original poster expresses uncertainty about the mathematical concepts involved.

sicjeff
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I am having difficulty in integrating this one. My objective is to find height as a function of time; however each time I actually do the integration, I end up with being able to find height as a function of both time and height. I have attempted using Maple to find a unique solution but it produces a (Lambar delta) (possible spelling error). Here is my integration.

int(t)=int([8(mu)(h)]/[2(sigma)(g)(r)-(rho)(g)(h)(r^2)] dh

I keep getting non real answers when I plug in values. Sigma is a surface tension but it keeps getting caught into natural logs with a negative value(impossible)

Any help would be quite appreciated.
 
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What are you trying to do here??
Is it to find the anti-derivative:
[tex]I=\int\frac{8\mu{h}}{2\sigma{gr}-\rho{gh}r^{2}}dh[/tex]
If so, what are constants, and what is variable quantities with respect to which variables?
 
the only variables are time and height. The others are constants.
 
What is r?
 
a non changing radius.
I will define all variables
t=time
h=height
r=radius
mu= fluid viscocity
sigma=surface tension
g=gravitational force
rho= density
 
Well, and how does t enter the picture.

Whatever do you mean by int(t)??
 
the integral of t from t=0 to t so basically the left hand side of the equation reduces to t.
 
The expression [itex]\int_{0}^{t}tdt[/itex]?
First of all, your notation is a meaningless conjunction of integration variable and limit of integration, nor would it in this abuse of notation equal t.

Are you sure your left-hand side shouldn't be [itex]\int_{0}^{t}d\tau=t[/itex]?
 
right I forgot to say with what respect I was integrating the left hand side, but I am sure that the left hand side reduces to t.

I agree with the first equation that you posted except the left hand side should be t instead of I. the limits of integration from the right side are h= 0 to h=h(final)
 
  • #10
Okay, so what your ACTUAL equation should be is:
[tex]t=\int_{0}^{h(t)}\frac{8\mu{H}}{2\sigma{gr}-\rho{gH}r^{2}}dH[/tex]

That, at the very least, is a mathematically meaningful expression.
Is that what you meant?
 
  • #11
yes. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to use the equation editor
 
  • #12
Now, you may rewrite your right-hand side as:
[tex]t=K\int_{0}^{h(t)}\frac{h}{1-CH}dH[/tex]
for suitable constants K, C.
Can you perform that integration?
 
  • #13
I'm sorry I don't guess I follow you. That isn't something that I have seen in my undergraduate mathematics.
 
  • #14
Sorry, it should have been:

[tex]t=K\int_{0}^{h(t)}\frac{H}{1-CH}dH[/tex]
for suitable constants K, C.

That's just algebra.
 
  • #15
okay, now I see. Thanks. I can do that integration quite easily.
 
  • #16
You'll get an implicit expression for h(t).
 

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