Kinematics: find the particle's position as a function of time

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle moving in one dimension under the influence of a force that varies with position. The force is defined as Fx = -mω²x, where ω is a constant. The initial conditions specify that the particle starts at a position x0 greater than zero with zero velocity. The goal is to find the particle's position as a function of time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law to derive acceleration and subsequently velocity. There are attempts to integrate these functions, but confusion arises regarding the treatment of variables and constants in the integration process. Some participants question the validity of certain integration steps and the relevance of the provided hint involving a specific substitution.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's attempts. There is recognition of potential misunderstandings regarding the integration of differential equations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the substitution suggested in the hint, but no consensus on a clear path forward has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the acceleration is not constant, which complicates the use of standard motion equations. There is also mention of a hint that suggests a specific integral, which some participants find unclear in its application.

Elsewiir
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


There is a particle that moves in 1-dimension. mass is m, force on the object is given as a function of position(x), Fx= -mω2x.(ω is constant) when t=0 particle has x0>0, and velocity is zero. find the particle's position as a function of time.

Homework Equations


There is a given hint for the problem. Use z=Acosu conversion on this integral
nSdRc5I.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution


What i did so far: I used Newton's second law so that i can find accerelation. Then i integrate accerelation function and find velocity function as a function of position. Lastly i integrate velocity function and i find x= x02x3/6. From there i can't do anything. I couldn't use motion equations because accerelation is not constant. And i couldn't find how to use this integral.
 

Attachments

  • nSdRc5I.jpg
    nSdRc5I.jpg
    1.3 KB · Views: 406
Physics news on Phys.org
Elsewiir said:
What i did so far:
Please post your working, or we have little idea where you are going wrong.
(It looks like you have the wrong idea about how to solve differential eauations. You cannot integrate ∫f(x).dt as though it were ∫f(x).dx.)
 
haruspex said:
Please post your working, or we have little idea where you are going wrong.
(It looks like you have the wrong idea about how to solve differential eauations. You cannot integrate ∫f(x).dt as though it were ∫f(x).dx.)
Yes you are right. If i didn't make a mistake i find x= x02xt2/2
 
Elsewiir said:
Yes you are right. If i didn't make a mistake i find x= x02xt2/2
No, you can't do that either. That is treating x as a constant.
I don't uderstand why the hint quotes that integral, but the substitution it recommends should help. Try x=A cos(u).
 
haruspex said:
I don't uderstand why the hint quotes that integral,
I do. It is the integral you get in order to solve the separable differential equation obtained if you first multiply Newton 2 with ##\dot x## and integrate it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: haruspex

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K