Kinematics, getting position and velocity equations from an acceleration graph

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving position and velocity equations from an acceleration graph for a car subjected to varying acceleration. The car starts at rest, 2 km from a post, and experiences a variable acceleration for the first 10 seconds, followed by constant deceleration until it stops. Key equations derived include velocity functions for two time intervals: \(v(t) = \frac{t^2 m}{10 s^3}\) for \(t \leq 10\) seconds and \(v(t) = 20 \frac{m}{s} - \frac{tm}{s^2}\) for \(10 < t \leq 20\) seconds. The final position calculations reveal a discrepancy in the distance traveled before stopping, indicating a need for careful integration and evaluation of the equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematics and motion equations
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration and differentiation
  • Knowledge of graphing functions and interpreting acceleration vs. time graphs
  • Ability to analyze piecewise functions and their applications in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of kinematic equations from acceleration graphs
  • Learn about piecewise functions and their applications in physics
  • Explore the integration techniques for finding position from velocity functions
  • Review examples of constant and variable acceleration scenarios in physics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on kinematics, as well as educators looking for examples of deriving motion equations from acceleration data.

Telemachus
Messages
820
Reaction score
30

Homework Statement


I have some doubts to the next exercise. It reads:

A car that at the initial time at rest was 2 km of a post roadman is subjected to acceleration, whose tangential component during the first 10 seconds, varies with time as shown in Fig. From that moment the brakes are applied to subject the car to an acceleration whose tangential component is constant and stops the car in the first 100 meters

index.php?action=dlattach;topic=36734.png


a) Complete the graph shown qualitatively in Fig.
b) To obtain expressions in terms of time for the module of the velocity vector of the car, valid for each of the time intervals considered.
c) To obtain expressions in terms of time to measure the position of the car along the road, about the position roadman, valid for each of the time intervals considered.
d) Determine how far the post roadman stops the car.
e) Perform qualitative graphical function of time for the module of its velocity vector and its position, measured along the path, for the post runners.

The Attempt at a Solution



At first I did was plotted, as requested. Consider that the braking acceleration is constant, and therefore a constant line plot from the 10s.

Then I got the expressions for the velocity (from here m=meters, t=time in seconds):

a(t)=\displaystyle\frac{tm}{5s^3} t\leq{10}

v(t)=\displaystyle\frac{t^2m}{10s^3} t\leq{10}

v(10s)=10m/s

From here I wanted to get acceleration after ten seconds:

\displaystyle\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta v}=\Delta t\Rightarrow{\Delta t=10s}

a=\displaystyle\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}=\displaystyle\frac{-1m}{s^2}

v(t)=20\displaystyle\frac{m}{s}-\displaystyle\frac{tm}{s^2}

b) v(t)=\begin{Bmatrix} \displaystyle\frac{t^2m}{10s^3} &amp; \mbox{ si }&amp; t\leq{10}\\20m/s-tm/s^2 &amp; \mbox{si}&amp; 20s&gt;t&gt;10s\end{matrix}

c)Position x_i=2000m

Integrating I get
x(t)=2000m+t^3m/30s^3 \forall{t\in{[0,10]}}

For the initial position in the second interval I've considered the position at 10s:
x(10)=2000m+1000m/30=\displaystyle\frac{6100m}{3}\approx{2033.3m}

Then integrating:

x(t)=\begin{Bmatrix} x(t)=2000m+t^3m/30s^3 \forall{t\in{[0,10]}}\\\displaystyle\frac{6100m}{3}+20\displaystyle\frac{m}{s}-\displaystyle\frac{t^2m}{2s^2}\forall{t\in{[10,20]}\end{matrix}

This is where the problem is, the point d asks to calculate the distance that the vehicle is stopped
This distance should be according to my calculations:

\displaystyle\frac{6100m}{3}+100m=\displaystyle\frac{6400m}{3}

But this should be equal to x (t), evaluated at the 20s:

x(20s)=\displaystyle\frac{6100m}{3}+\displaystyle\frac{20m}{s}20s-\displaystyle\frac{(20s)^2m}{2s^2}=\displaystyle\frac{6100}{3}m+400m-200m=\displaystyle\frac{6700m}{3}\approx{2233.3m}

What Am I doing wrong?

Bye there!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Can you show your plot of acceleration vs time, please?

ehild
 

Similar threads

Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K