Struggling with Particle Displacement Equation?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around deriving the displacement equation for a particle fired vertically in a constant gravitational field, factoring in a resisting force proportional to its velocity. The user presents their equations for upward and downward forces, leading to a net force equation and subsequent integration steps. They express confusion over how to simplify their velocity equation to match the expected result, particularly regarding the appearance of the gravitational term in the solution. There is also a debate about the differentiation process and the units of the constant k, which should be in inverse seconds for consistency. The thread highlights the complexities of integrating motion equations under variable forces and the importance of careful unit analysis.
ax_xaein
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Sunday night physics problems :(

Alright, so I'm supposed to find the displacement equation for a particle fired vertically under a constant gravitational field, where the resisting force is proportional to the instantaneous velocity of the particle. Here's where I'm at:

Fup = ma; Fdown = -mg - kmv; Fnet = (ma) + (-mg - kmv) // Where k is a constant

ma = (ma) + (-mg - kmv) // Force = Fup + Fdown
dv/dt = -g - kv // m's cancel, differentiate wrt v
dv * 1/(-g -kv) = -dt

// Integrating...
1/k ln(kv+ g) = -t + c0 // Where c0 represents initial velocity
ln(kv + g) = -tk + kc0
kv + g = e^(-tk + kc0)
v = [ e^(-tk + kc0) - g ] / k

Integrate wrt t, to obtain position ( v(t) )
v(t) = -g/k + -------> ? <----------

The answer is supposed to simplify to: v(t) = [-g/k] + [ (kc0 + g) / k] * e^(-kt)
I have no idea how. I have no idea where the g in the second term came from in the first place. Thanks ahead of time!
 
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you have Fdown = -mg - kmv; (k a constant), so I guess k will have units [1/seconds]?

also, you wrote: dv/dt = -g - kv // m's cancel, differentiate wrt v

I can see the m's cancel, but then you have (before differentiating)

a = a + (-g-kv)

but a IS dv/dt, so i don't know how you can get:
dv/dt = -g - kv // m's cancel, differentiate wrt v

AFTER differentiating wrt v... (also, don't u usually diff wrt to t??)
 
Yeah, in order for the units to match up i believe k would technically need to have units of 1/t.

And yes, a is dv/dt. So instead of writing:
a = ..., I've substituted dv/dt = ...

This way, we can say dv = blah (partial derivative dt)
Integrating both sides, we then obtain the velocity equation.
 
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