Non-constant Acceleration has me stumped.

  • Thread starter Thread starter philll
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acceleration
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 1K views
philll
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



An object in a frictionless environment accelerates at a rate which increases by 2 m/s2 every second. after 15 seconds, the object reaches is maximum acceleration, and remains constant for a further 30 seconds before all acceleration ceases and it therefore travels at a constant speed for an indefinite period of time. How far had the object traveled after 60 seconds?

u = 0
t = 60

Homework Equations



s = ut + ½ at²

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't even know where to start. I'd like to do it primarily on my own though, so if someone could point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
for non-constant acceleration you have

[tex]v(t) = v(0) + \int_{0}^{t} a(t) dt[/tex]


and [tex]x(t) = x(0) + \int_{0}^{t} v(t) dt[/tex]

which you should know how to do if you try this problem.