Vertical motion with retarding force

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the velocity of a projectile fired vertically under the influence of a linear retarding force, represented by the equation -mg - km\dot{y} = m\ddot{y}. The key steps involve integrating the equation to find the relationship between velocity and time, leading to the expression v = -\frac{g}{k} + \frac{kv_0 + g}{k} e^{-kt}. The user seeks clarification on the derivation of this final equation, which is confirmed through the substitution of the constant c using initial conditions.

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  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Familiarity with differential equations
  • Knowledge of integration techniques
  • Concept of retarding forces in physics
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  • Study the derivation of solutions for first-order linear differential equations
  • Learn about the effects of retarding forces on projectile motion
  • Explore the concept of initial conditions in solving differential equations
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Students of physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of projectile motion with retarding forces.

darkfall13
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Hello everyone, I've used these forums quite a bit and found it very helpful thanks for all you kind souls helping us through the sciences, but today is my first post :P

I am deriving the velocity of a projectile fired vertically through a retarding force and I continue getting every step the same as the book until the last equation, it may be due to it being nearly 2 in the morning but I wanted to see others thoughts on it to help me learn the reasoning better. (And oh yeah this retarding force is only linear to the velocity)

so if we have:

-mg - km[tex]\dot{y}[/tex] = m[tex]\ddot{y}[/tex]

we can easily work to

-g - k[tex]\dot{y}[/tex] = [tex]\ddot{y}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dv}{dt}[/tex] = -g - kv

dv = dt(-g - kv)

[tex]\int\frac{dv}{g + kv}[/tex] = -[tex]\int{dt}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{1}{k}[/tex] ln(g + kv) = -t + c

ln(g + kv) = -kt + c

g + kv = [tex]e^{-kt + c}[/tex]

This is where the book and I agree to

but then it arrives to

v = [tex]\frac{dy}{dt}[/tex] = -[tex]\frac{g}{k}[/tex] + [tex]\frac{kv_0 + g}{k} e^{-kt}[/tex]

Can someone explain to me how it arrives there? Thank you so much!
 
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Just notice, you can find c when t = 0, v = v0:

ln(g + kv) = -kt + c =>
ln(g + kv0) = -k.0 + c <=>
c = ln(g + kv0)

So,
g + kv = [tex]e^{-kt + c}[/tex] <=>
g + kv = [tex]e^{-kt + ln(g + kv0)}[/tex] <=>
g + kv = [tex]e^{-kt}[/tex].(g + kv0)
 
ah ok perfect thanks a bunch I kept going around in circles with it last night.
 

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