Motion with frictional force but without driving force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving an engine moving on horizontal rails influenced by a frictional force without a driving force. The frictional force is defined as f(v) = α + βv², and the user seeks guidance on how to derive expressions for the time it takes for the engine to come to rest and the distance covered. Key points include the need to express acceleration as a function of velocity and to set up a differential equation using Newton's Second Law. The user struggles with integration and correctly applying limits, ultimately needing to find the distance traveled as the initial velocity approaches infinity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of organized thinking and careful mathematical derivation in solving the problem.
  • #51
Your expression does not look right. The integral is of the form

\int Tan(\delta - \theta)d \theta

Can you find what the indefinite integral is?
 
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  • #52
hm.. i think i know where did i went wrong, i miss out the secant:

<br /> <br /> x-x_0=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\sec(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{ \alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_1))-\ln(\sec(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_0)))<br />
 
  • #53
Incorrect. I suggest you look it up on the web. Just google "Integral Tables" and take your pick.
 
  • #54
i have check on the table.. is cosine..
x-x_0=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{ \alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_1))-\ln(\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_0)))<br /> <br />
 
  • #55
Can you make the expression more compact? What is the difference between two logarithms? Also set t0=0 and see what you get.
 
  • #56
ok.. the logarithm still can be simplify :

<br /> x-x_0=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\frac{\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{ \alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_1)}{\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_0)})<br /> <br /> <br />
so.. for t0=0.. i will get :

<br /> x-x_0=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\frac{\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{ \alpha}})-\frac{\sqrt{\alpha\beta}}{m}t_1)}{\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}}))})<br /> <br /> <br />
 
  • #57
Good. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can you? What do you think you should do next?
 
  • #58
get rid of the x0 ad substitute the t1?
 
  • #59
LockeZz said:
get rid of the x0 ad substitute the t1?
Yes, you may assume that x0=0. Substitute t1 and also the time has come to let v0 become very large.
 
  • #60
after the substitution, i get :
<br /> x=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\frac{\cos(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}})-\frac{\pi}{2})}{\cos(\arctan(v_0 \sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}}))})<br />

since
<br /> <br /> <br /> t_1=m(\frac{\pi}{2})\sqrt{\frac{1}{\alpha\beta}}<br /> <br /> <br />
should i bother about v0?
 
  • #61
LockeZz said:
should i bother about v0?
Not yet. Do you recognize the ratio in the argument of the log for what it is? Specifically, can you simplify the numerator some?
 
  • #62
i think i can convert to tangent:

<br /> x=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(\tan(\arctan(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}})))<br />

then simplify again:

<br /> x=-\frac{m}{\beta}(\ln(v_0\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{\alpha}}))<br />
 
  • #63
Note that if you let v0 become very large, you get an infinity. I hadn't appreciated that in the beginning. One thing that bothers me is the negative sign up front. Certainly x must be positive and the argument of the log is greater than 1 especially if v0 becomes very large. Check your integral tables and don't forget that you are integrating

<br /> \int Tan(\delta - t)dt<br />

There is a negative sign in front of t.

Check that and you are done. :smile:
 
  • #64
hm.. does that mean that the negative sign represent a mistake in the expression?
 
  • #65
All I am saying is that

<br /> <br /> \int Tan(\delta - t)dt=Log[Cos(t-\delta)]<br /> <br />
 
  • #66
I shall check back from the beginning the see if any mistake again.. thanks for the guidance by the way.. i really appreciate on your help.. Thank you very much :)
 
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