Strange Change of Variable of Integration

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the technique of changing the variable of integration in classical mechanics, specifically regarding the relationships between angle theta (θ), angular velocity omega (ω), and angular acceleration alpha (α). The integral transformation involves swapping differentials and adapting variable limits, which is a practical application of the chain rule. The method allows for simplification in integrals and differential equations, highlighting its utility in mathematical derivations within rotating systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics concepts, specifically rotational dynamics.
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly integration and differentiation.
  • Knowledge of the chain rule in calculus.
  • Basic grasp of differential equations and their applications.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in integration techniques.
  • Explore the relationships between angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration in rotating systems.
  • Learn about variable substitution methods in integral calculus.
  • Investigate the use of differentials in solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs).
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying classical mechanics, as well as mathematicians and engineers dealing with integrals and differential equations in rotating systems.

Recipi
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I've been following a few derivations for quantities in classical mechanics of rotating systems, and one of the integrals is transformed in a way I've never seen before. For angle theta, angular velocity omega and angular acceleration alpha:
t%7D%5C%20d%5Comega%20%3D%20%5Cint_%7B%5Comega_i%7D%5E%7B%5Comega_f%7D%20%5Comega%5C%20d%5Comega.gif


Intuitively I can see that they've 'just' swapped the differential on top with the one trailing the integral and adapted the variables denoting the initial and final values accordingly, but could anybody point me to a more in-depth explanation of this? The notes gloss over the step and it seems like it could be a useful trick to bear in mind generally.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Note that, between 2 and 3, you may write:
d\theta=\frac{d\theta}{dt}dt=\omega{dt}
You then make the variable change:
\frac{d\omega}{dt}dt=d\omega
 
Whenever you see people using change of variable (in integrals), or separating variables (in diff eq) and/or messing around with differentials in any way, it is always a shortcut way of applying the chain rule. You have the further slight complication here re the connections between ##\alpha, \omega \text{ and } \theta##. Or perhaps it is an opportunity rather than a complication.

What Arildno wrote should show you the path.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
9K