Solving for Velocity of Particle on Inclined Plane

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle sliding down an inclined plane under the influence of gravity and a resistive force proportional to its velocity. The goal is to derive the velocity function of the particle over time, given the forces acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the necessity of integration to find the velocity function and explore the setup of the differential equation. There are questions about the integration process and the treatment of velocity as a function of time.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the integration process and suggested using the integrating factor method to solve the differential equation. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to integrate the terms involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are addressing potential misunderstandings in the integration steps and the nature of the resistive force, indicating a need for clarity on the assumptions made in the problem setup.

thereddevils
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Homework Statement



A particle with mass m slides down from rest on a smooth plane inclined at an angle of theta with the horizontal . The particle, besides subjected to gravity experiences a resistive force of magnitude mkv ,with v as its velocity at time t and k as a positive constant. Show that

v=\frac{g\sin \theta}{k}(1-e^{-kt})

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i started with mg sin theta-mkv =ma

g sin theta -kv=a

do i integrate to get the velocity function? I tried but it didn't work.
 
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Yes, you do perform integration to get the velocity function. My attempt resulted in success in replicating the given equation, so you must have fumbled somewhere in your integration. Perhaps you would like to show us your steps so we can pinpoint the error?
 
Last edited:
Fightfish said:
Yes, you do perform integration to get the velocity function. My attempt resulted in success in replication the given equation, so you must have fumbled somewhere in your integration. Perhaps you would like to show us your steps so we can pinpoint the error?

thanks Fightfish ,

from a=g sin theta-kv

v=\int g\sin \theta dt-\int kv dt

=tg\sin \theta-kvt+C

when t=0, v=0

v=tg\sin \theta-kvt

and the furthest i can get

v=\frac{tg\sin \theta}{1+kt}
 
thereddevils said:
v=\int g\sin \theta dt-\int kv dt

=tg\sin \theta-kvt+C

The problem lies here. v is also a function of t and not a constant, so the integration of kv wrt t is not merely multiplying it by t. We need to consider the problem as a first-order differential equation:
\frac{dv}{dt} + kv = g sin \theta
Then, solve it using the integrating factor method.
 
Fightfish said:
The problem lies here. v is also a function of t and not a constant, so the integration of kv wrt t is not merely multiplying it by t. We need to consider the problem as a first-order differential equation:
\frac{dv}{dt} + kv = g sin \theta
Then, solve it using the integrating factor method.

thanks !
 

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