Integrating: mg/b(1 - e^(-bt/m)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the expression mg/b(1 - e^(-bt/m)), which is related to calculus and the motion of an object experiencing air resistance. Participants are attempting to evaluate this integral and are encountering issues with their results, particularly regarding the signs and the limits of integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing various attempts to integrate the expression, with some expressing confusion over the signs of their results and the limits of integration. Questions about the setup of the problem and the consistency of units are also raised.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with multiple participants providing insights and suggestions. Some have offered guidance on integrating each term separately and checking the limits of integration, while others are still struggling to resolve their discrepancies in results.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of specific values for variables involved in the problem, as well as references to the need for a definite integral. Some participants express frustration over the integration process and the correctness of their equations, indicating a lack of clarity in the problem setup.

jmwachtel
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Homework Statement



I need help integrating: mg/b(1 - e^(-bt/m)

The Attempt at a Solution



I came up with mgt/b - mg/b(-b/m * e^(-bt/m)

It's been a while since calculus, can someone help me with this.
 
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If this is the integral you mean:

[tex]\frac{mg}{b}\int(1-e^{-bt/m})dt[/tex]

then you are correct in your integration.
 
That is it, but the numbers are coming out negative, they should be positive. Something is not right. I know I have to take it from 0 to t, but I'm not sure what to do with it. Please help.
 
Anyone else know calculus?
 
Can you give more information on the problem? It could simply be that you've take a particular direction to be positive, and the answer in the back of the book assumes the opposite direction is positive.
 
I get the integral to be

= mg/b * {[t-(m/b)exp(-bt/m)]}
= {mgt/b + [(m^2)g/(b^2)]exp(-bt/m)}
= {mgt/b + mg/b(m/b * e^(-bt/m)}

you got the exponential integration wrong:
Integral of: exp(kx)dx = {1/(dkx/dx)exp(kx)} = {(1/k)exp(kx)}
in this case k = -b/m
so integral of exp[(-b/m)t] = (-m/b).exp[(-b/m)t]

YOUR exponential is a - to start with so it becomes a plus
 
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The answer should be around .3 positive when T is equal to .05. I get a negative -.02417. The integral is still not right even with the one above, what is going on?
 
and: m = .001, g=-9.81, b=.025
 
The integral you posted first is not correct as cynapse explained, even in corrected form it's an indefinite integral with the constant of integration missing. It sounds like you need a definite integral.
Did you get the right definite integral for the limits of integration 0 and T?
The answer for the equation as you described it is -0.0084.
This leads me to believe that you don't have the correct set up for the problem.
Are the units consistent?
Do you have the correct limits of integration?
If you post the full wording of the problem as well as units of known quantity's with a more complete description of what you are doing I can try to help you more.
 
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  • #10
Everything is correct, we are setting up a spreadsheet in class. We use this for Analytical
approach. v is calculated using the equation above, so to get back to y, you have to integrate. I know what y should be which I stated above because that's through the numerical approach.
 
  • #11
It seems you're finding distance traveled while experiencing air resistance. Just do this:
[tex]\frac{mg}{b}\int(1-e^{-bt/m})dt[/tex]
Then, integrate each term in the integral separately in respect to time t (find the integral of 1 and the integral of -e^(-bt/m) individually). For the integral of -e^(-bt/m), use (-bt/m) as a function u. Then simply use the chain rule for integration to solve the problem.
 
  • #12
Here is what I have got and it's still not working, this is driving me nuts!

=(((m*g/b)*t)+((m*g/b)*((m/b)*EXP(-b*t/m))))-(m^2*g/b^2)

What am I doing wrong?
 
  • #13
That's the correct integral for the limits 0 & T.
At least I think it is. I would recommend using the forums handy mathematical formatting so the equations are easier to read.
So I still think something else is wrong here.
 
  • #14
This still not solved. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. Where is the equation formatting?
 
  • #15
[[tex]\frac{mgt}{b}[/tex] + [tex]\frac{mg}{b}[/tex] ([tex]\frac{m}{b}[/tex] e[tex]^{\frac{-bt}{m}}[/tex])] - [[tex]\frac{m^{2}g}{b^{2}}[/tex]]

This is integration I have come up with for the equation listed above that is not working! IS my integration wrong? This from 0 to t.
 
  • #16
That is the right integral for the equation G01 posted for the lower limit of 0 and an upper limit of t.
Side note: your equations will look nicer and be easier to work with if you simplify them.

[tex]\frac{mg}{b}[/tex][tex][T + \frac{m}{b}(e^\frac{-bT}{m} - 1)][/tex]
 
  • #17
Ok here is my teachers reply:

Your integration is still incorrect. See attachment for explanation. You MUST have correctly corresponding limits on the integrals. At time=0, y=yo; at time=t, y=y.

I don't understand. The attached says:

v = dy/dt

dy = vdt

[tex]\int[/tex]dy (from yintial to y) = [tex]\int[/tex]vdt (from 0 to t)
 
  • #18
Anyone understand this?
 

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