To find the particle's velocity

1. Nov 1, 2016

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A particle is moving along the x-axis has acceleration 'f' at time ' t ' given by :
f= f°(1- t /T) where f° and T are constants .The particle at t = 0 has zero velocity . In the time interval between t= 0 and the instant when f= 0 ,the particle's velocity is ?
2. Relevant equations
a= dv/dt
Where 'a' = acceleration
'v' = velocity
' t' = time

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Nov 1, 2016

PeroK

If $a = dv/dt$, then what is $v$ in terms of $a$? Remember that, in this case, $a$ is not constant, it is changing over time.

3. Nov 1, 2016

I'm still not getting it. I have done the integration but not sure what, how to take limits.

4. Nov 1, 2016

Staff: Mentor

Is the problem stated exactly as it was given to you? If the particle accelerates during the specified time interval then it's velocity over that interval won't be a constant value. Perhaps they are looking for the average velocity? Or average speed?

5. Nov 1, 2016

PeroK

Or $v$ as a function of $t$ over that interval?

6. Nov 1, 2016

Staff: Mentor

The given solution is apparently a constant. So it makes me wonder about what might be considered a constant for an interval of time where the velocity and position are changing. The only thing that springs to mind is the average velocity for that time period.

7. Nov 1, 2016

This is the question!! the answer is option III.

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8. Nov 1, 2016

PeroK

My approach would be to solve the problem first. Re the limits of integration: when is $f = 0$?

This is why you must show us, or at least tell us, what you have tried. How do we know you have tried integrating? Your original post said you were "totally confused", which doesn't appear to be the case!

9. Nov 1, 2016

Staff: Mentor

The image is fuzzy. I can't make out the subscript on V :

What is that subscript?

10. Nov 1, 2016

PeroK

PS if you find the velocity at time $t$, then all will be clear!

11. Nov 1, 2016

Gneill ,the subscript on v is just 'x' indicating velocity in x direction.

12. Nov 1, 2016

Thank you all for all your help !! I don't think I am made for physics. I can't even solve problems like this. It is good that I am in my beginning of my course ,I can leave it it will be good for me.

13. Nov 1, 2016

Staff: Mentor

I think that the question was poorly phrased, making it hard to understand what they were really looking for. So for a beginner it would be understandably confusing if you don't have all the concepts sorted out and firmly understood without any doubts to make things harder.

Stick with it. As long as you have the necessary math things should get better once you've become familiar with the basics and the way physics problems are phrased and presented to convey what concepts are important for solving them. You'll start to recognize key words and phases that imply what's intended and how best to approach the problem.

14. Nov 1, 2016

Thank you . I will try my best to solve it.
Tomorrow , it's night here

15. Nov 2, 2016