Terminal Velocity given Time at which velocity is .5Vt

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an object falling through a viscous medium, where the resistive force is proportional to its velocity. The original poster is tasked with determining the terminal speed of the object after it reaches half of that speed in a specified time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the equation for velocity in a viscous medium but encounters difficulties in solving for terminal speed. Some participants suggest checking calculations and clarifying the relationship between velocity and time.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing guidance on checking calculations and exploring the integration needed for further parts of the question. There is a focus on understanding the mathematical relationships involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific time intervals and the need for integration to find displacement, indicating that the problem is part of a larger homework assignment with multiple parts.

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Homework Statement



A 9.00 kg object starting from rest falls through a viscous medium and experiences a resistive force R = -bv, where v is the velocity of the object. If the object reaches one-half its terminal speed in 5.93 s,
(a) determine the terminal speed.

Homework Equations



v=mg/b(1-e^-bt/m)

The Attempt at a Solution



Tried setting above equation equal to mg/2b and solving. It was wrong.
 
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Show your work in detail. You were right, the speed after 5.93 s is
mg/(2b) From this condition, you can find b.

ehild
 
ok, so:

v = mg/b(1-e^(-bt/m))=mg/(2b)
mg/b's cancel, so 1-e^(-5.93b/m)=.5
.5=e^-5.93b/9
9ln.5=-5.93b
-6.2383=-5.93b
b=1.052
vt = 88.2/b = 88.2/1.052=83.8403

and...i got it.

for some reason i was pluggin in 5.5 not 5.93, thanks for letting me know i was doing it right.
 
Trust in yourself and check your calculations:smile:

ehild
 
one more thing.

i got that, and i got part b, which asked for the time at which the speed is .75vt

i'm now stuck on part c, which says:

(c)How far has the object traveled in the first 5.93 s of motion?

I realize i need to integrate somehow, but I'm not sure exactly what to do...
 
You know calculus, don't you?
Think of the definition of velocity: it is the time derivative of displacement. Integrating the velocity with respect to time from zero to a given moment will give the displacement. Try.

ehild
 
got it. i was trying to do an indefinite integral and then plug in t, silly me, it was late last night haha.
 

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