# Solving for variables

1. ### marissa12

11
a particle of mass m moving in the x direction at constant acceleration a . During a certain interval of time, the particle accelerates from v_initial to vfinal , undergoing displacement s given by s=x_final-x_initial.

Express the acceleration in terms of v_initial, v_final, and s:
that was easy.. i got

a=(v_final-v_initial)/(s/((v_initial+v_final)/2))

since F=ma
W=F*s

the question is Give an expression for the work in terms of m, v_initial, v_final ?

and i cant seem to eliminate the 's' because i end up getting

W=m*a(see above) *s and i cant get eliminate it? any ideas?

2. ### marissa12

11
the 2nd part of the problem is w= intergral of { mv*dv} between v_final and v_initial
and we are supposed to express that in m_vinitial and v_final

and i got the answer ((m*v_final)^2-(m*v_initial)^2)/2 and that didnt work. i used the basic intergral formula

fint{t*dt between a and b} = b^2-a^2/t

3. ### Fermat

876
can't you use ,

$$v_f^2 - v_i^2 = 2as$$ ?

4. ### marissa12

11
the s is still in the equation though

5. ### Fermat

876
$$\int_{vi}^{vf} mv dv = m[v^2/2]_{vi}^{vf}$$

The m doesn't get squared.

6. ### Fermat

876
substitute for "as" from one eqn into t'other.

7. ### marissa12

11
oo thats right stupid parentheses.. but i still cant get the first part?

8. ### Fermat

876
W = Fs = Mas

vf² - vi² = 2as ==> as = ½(vf² - vi²)

So,

W = Mas = M*½(vf² - vi²)
W = (M/2)(vf² - vi²)
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Last edited: Aug 13, 2005
9. ### ixbethxi

13
o wow yea that makes alot more sense than what i had, i used the wrong eq. lol thank youuu!!