Vector notation and force and force Help- test this morning

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem involving a time-dependent force acting on a 4.00 kg object. The force, F(t) = 20t N/s, leads to an acceleration of a(t) = 5t j m/s², indicating it acts in the positive y-direction. Participants discuss how to derive the velocity and position functions through integration, emphasizing the importance of vector notation for direction. The final expressions for velocity and position are clarified, with the speed at time t calculated using the components of velocity. The conversation highlights the complexities of vector notation and integration in physics problems.
~christina~
Gold Member
Messages
714
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] vector notation and force and force Help- test this morning..

Homework Statement


A time dependent force F(t)= 20t N/s acts along the possitive y-axis on a 4.00kg object. The object starts at the origin with the initial velocity

\vec{}v(0)= (1.00m/s)) \hat{}i-(1.00m/s) \hat{}j.

a) find the velocity of the object as a function of time.
b) find the position of the object as a function of time
c) what is the speed of the object at time t?

Homework Equations


?? the ones given?



The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea where to start..it seems simple enough..


can someone please please please help me out?
by this morning to be exact..(I have a test)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have the force and the mass, thus you can figure out the acceleration. Given the acceleration as a function of time, how would you find the velocity as a function of time? And then the position? (Hint: Only one component is accelerated. Hint2: A bit of calculus is required.)
 
Hm..
so ..acceleration...

F(t)= 20 t N/s
a= ?
m= 4.0kg

F= ma (not sure how t would get into that unless I plug in 20 t N/s... (I think the

notation is confusing me)

(20t N/s)/ 4.0kg= a

a= 5 t m/s ?? (not sure about the notation once again...)

I guess if this is correct that I would just do integration to find the v and then the x

however why was the initial velocity given in the form of vector notation ?

I was thinking of using that...

thanks
 
~christina~ said:
Hm..
so ..acceleration...

F(t)= 20 t N/s
a= ?
m= 4.0kg

F= ma (not sure how t would get into that unless I plug in 20 t N/s... (I think the

notation is confusing me)

(20t N/s)/ 4.0kg= a

a= 5 t m/s ?? (not sure about the notation once again...)
The acceleration is 5t m/s^2. But in what direction? They tell you: "acts along the positive y axis". That means the acceleration should be written as 5 t \hat{j} m/s^2.

I guess if this is correct that I would just do integration to find the v and then the x
Yes.

however why was the initial velocity given in the form of vector notation ?
Because direction matters!
 
Because direction matters!

so I don't actually use that equation?

anyways...

a(t)= 5tj m/s^2

v(t)= 2.5tj^2 + t

x(t)= .83 tj^3 + 1/2 t^2 + t

Is this how it's supposed to look?

(Once again the units are getting to me...couldn't figure out the units for the v but technically it should be m/s and x should be in m)

Am I supposed to have anymore j's in the equations??
 
Seems like the j notation is messing you up a bit.
~christina~ said:
a(t)= 5tj m/s^2
a(t)y = 5t (direction: +y axis (a.k.a j); units: m/s^2)
v(t)= 2.5tj^2 + t
Integrate a(t) once to get v(t):
v(t)y = 2.5t^2 + C (y-component of velocity)

Use the given initial velocity to find the integration constant C:
v(t)y = 2.5t^2 - 1 (y-component only)

The complete v(t) is:
v(t) = (1) i + (2.5t^2 -1) j


x(t)= .83 tj^3 + 1/2 t^2 + t
Integrate v(t) to get the y-component of position:
y(t) = (2.5/3)t^3 -t + C

Use the given info to find the integration constant:
y(t) = (2.5/3)t^3 -t

The x-axis motion is just constant speed:
x(t) = (1)t = t

In vector notation, the position as a function of time would be:
(t) i + ((2.5/3)t^3 -t) j
 
good grief...I wasn't even close... it was more complicated than I thought it would be

for part c where I have to find the speed of the object at time t

wouldn't I take the

v(t) = (1) i + (2.5t^2 -1) j

and then find the V from the x and y component's i and j ?

rad ( 1^2 + (2.5t^2 -1)^2) = ...

technically that's what I would think but that looks well...complicated...

Is that correct?

Thanks alot
 
Yes, that's correct.
 
Thank you Doc Al
 
Back
Top