Non-dimensional differential equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a non-dimensional differential equation representing the height of a body thrown vertically upwards, given by the equation d²x/dt² = -1 - μ(dx/dt) with initial conditions x(0)=0 and dx/dt(0)=1, where 0<μ<<1. The user attempts to find the general solution through integration and separation of variables, resulting in x(t) = (log(tμ + 1) - tμ)/μ². However, there is confusion regarding the presence of a logarithmic term in the solution, which is atypical for constant coefficient second-order differential equations.

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wel
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A body of constant mass is thrown vertically upwards from the ground. It can be shown that the appropriate non-dimensional differential equation for the height [itex]x(t;u)[/itex], reached at time [itex]t\geq0[/itex] is given by
\begin{equation} \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} = -1-\mu (\frac{dx}{dt})
\end{equation}
with corresponding initial conditions [itex]x(0)=0, \frac{dx}{dt}(0) =1[/itex], and where [itex]0<\mu<<1.[/itex]
Deduce that the (non-dimensional) height at the highest point (where [itex]\frac{dx}{dt} =0[/itex]) is given by
\begin{equation} h(\mu)= \frac{1}{\mu}- \frac{1}{\mu^2} log_e(1+\mu) \end{equation}

=>
It really hard for me to start

I was thinking do integration twice by doing the separation of variable:
\begin{equation} \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} = -1-\mu (\frac{dx}{dt})
\end{equation}
I got the general solution of \begin{equation}x(t)= \frac{log(t\mu +1) -t \mu}{\mu^2}\end{equation}

after that I do not know how to get the answer.
Please help me.
 
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wel said:
A body of constant mass is thrown vertically upwards from the ground. It can be shown that the appropriate non-dimensional differential equation for the height [itex]x(t;u)[/itex], reached at time [itex]t\geq0[/itex] is given by
\begin{equation} \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} = -1-\mu (\frac{dx}{dt})
\end{equation}
with corresponding initial conditions [itex]x(0)=0, \frac{dx}{dt}(0) =1[/itex], and where [itex]0<\mu<<1.[/itex]
Deduce that the (non-dimensional) height at the highest point (where [itex]\frac{dx}{dt} =0[/itex]) is given by
\begin{equation} h(\mu)= \frac{1}{\mu}- \frac{1}{\mu^2} log_e(1+\mu) \end{equation}

=>
It really hard for me to start

I was thinking do integration twice by doing the separation of variable:
\begin{equation} \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} = -1-\mu (\frac{dx}{dt})
\end{equation}
I got the general solution of \begin{equation}x(t)= \frac{log(t\mu +1) -t \mu}{\mu^2}\end{equation}

after that I do not know how to get the answer.
Please help me.

How did you get that solution? You have a constant coefficient second order DE. You wouldn't expect a logarithm in the solution.
 

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