Position Dependent Forces: Finding Velocity as a Function of Displacement

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The discussion focuses on deriving the velocity of a particle as a function of displacement under a position-dependent force, F(x) = Fo + Cx. The user starts with the equation of motion and applies the product rule to express acceleration in terms of velocity and displacement. After setting up the integrals for both sides, they encounter difficulties with the integration limits and the correct formulation of the integrals. The final derived equation shows that the velocity is given by v(x) = √((2Fo x + Cx²)/m), confirming the relationship between force, mass, and displacement. The thread concludes with a collaborative resolution of the integration problem and a warm exchange of thanks among participants.
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the question asks,
Find the velocity v as a function of the displacement x for a particle of mass m, which starts from rest x=0
F(x)=Fo + Cx where Fo and C are positive constants
So far I've gotten,
ma=Fo + Cx
m (dv/dt)=Fo +Cx
m (dv/dx dx/dt)=Fo +Cx I split dv/dt using the product rule
m v dv=(Fo + Cx) dx v=dx/dt
now I'm haveing problems doing the intergal of both sides i have so far
m(v-vo)=?

can anyone help?
I've intergrated on the LHS from vo to v and i think the RHS should be from xo to x
 
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What the problem?

mvdv=(F_{o} + C_{x})dx

\int_{v_{o}}^{v} mvdv= \int_{x_{o}}^{x} (F_{o} + Cx)dx

\int_{v_{o}}^{v} mvdv= \int_{x_{o}}^{x} F_{o}dx + \int_{x_{o}}^{x} Cxdx

Mass is a constant
Fo and C are positive constants

Integrate.

m \int_{v_{o}}^{v} vdv= F_{o} \int_{x_{o}}^{x} dx + C \int_{x_{o}}^{x} xdx

You should have:

m \frac{1}{2}v^2]_{v_{o}}^{v}= F_{o}x]_{x_{o}}^{x}+ \frac{1}{2}Cx^2]_{x_{o}}^{x}

\frac{1}{2}m(v^2 - v_{o}^2)= F_{o}(x-x_{o})+ \frac{1}{2}C(x^2-x_{o}^2)

Our Particle starts from rest (Vo = 0) at x = 0 so

We got

\frac{1}{2}m(v^2)= F_{o}x+ \frac{1}{2}Cx^2

v(x) = \sqrt{\frac{2F_{o}x+ Cx^2}{m}}

There you go.
 
Last edited:
m \int_{v_{o}}^{v} vdv= F_{o} \int_{x_{o}}^{x} dx + C_{x} \int_{x_{o}}^{x} dx
should be

m \int_{v_{o}}^{v} vdv= F_{o} \int_{x_{o}}^{x} dx + C \int_{x_{o}}^{x} xdx
sorry i didn't explain it well enough C and X are seperate

so does that mean the solution would be:
1/2mv^2=F_{o}x + 1/2Cx^2
v= \sqrt {(2F_{o}x)/m + (Cx^2)/m}
 
Oh ok no problem, but at least you got it :smile:
 
v_{o} = 0 , x_{o} = 0


thanks for your help
 
Always a pleasure to help, and Welcome to PF! :smile:
 
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