What is happening in this step, kinematics problem

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a kinematics problem involving a particle's acceleration described by the equation a = 30 - 0.2v. Participants are tasked with determining the time when the particle's velocity reaches v = 30, while grappling with the mathematical concepts involved, particularly integration, which some participants have not yet learned in their coursework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion regarding the steps in the textbook solution, particularly the integration process and the manipulation of logarithmic expressions. Questions arise about the origin of certain terms in the equations, the treatment of negative signs, and the substitution of values in the final expression. There is also a discussion about the implications of missing initial conditions for the velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have begun to clarify aspects of the solution, particularly the use of logarithmic properties. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the reasoning behind specific choices in the mathematical manipulation, and the discussion is ongoing with no clear consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that there is a lack of information regarding the initial velocity of the particle, which is critical for understanding the conditions under which the velocity reaches 30. This missing information may affect the interpretation of the problem and the validity of the solution presented.

wahaj
Messages
154
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


a particle travels along a straight line and the acceleration is given by
a = 30 - 0.2v
determine the time when the velocity of the particle is v = 30

Homework Equations



\int \frac {dv}{ax+b} = \frac{1}{a} \ln (ax+b)

The Attempt at a Solution


This is the solution from the textbook. The problem is that my math class is behind schedule so I haven't learned integrals yet. The only knowledge I have on the matter is from what was briefly covered in my dynamics class. So I need an explanation of what is happening is happening in this solution.
dt = \frac{dv}{a}
\int ^t_0 dt = \int ^v_0 \frac {dv}{30 - 0.2v}
t\mid^t_0 = \frac {-1}{0.2} \ln({30-0.2v}) \mid ^v_0
I understand everything upto this point but I have no idea what is happening in the next step.
t = 5 \ln \frac {30}{30-0.2v}
t = 5 \ln \frac{30}{30 - 0.2(50)} = 1.12s
several questions, first where did the 30 in the numerator come from? why did the minus sign before \frac{-1}{0.2} = -5 go to and why was the v replaced by 50 instead of 30. There is no conversion of units going on in this question.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
wahaj said:

Homework Statement


a particle travels along a straight line and the acceleration is given by
a = 30 - 0.2v
determine the time when the velocity of the particle is v = 30


Homework Equations



\int \frac {dv}{ax+b} = \frac{1}{a} \ln (ax+b)
Typo above - it should be dx in the first integral.
wahaj said:

The Attempt at a Solution


This is the solution from the textbook. The problem is that my math class is behind schedule so I haven't learned integrals yet. The only knowledge I have on the matter is from what was briefly covered in my dynamics class. So I need an explanation of what is happening is happening in this solution.
dt = \frac{dv}{a}
\int ^t_0 dt = \int ^v_0 \frac {dv}{30 - 0.2v}
t\mid^t_0 = \frac {-1}{0.2} \ln({30-0.2v}) \mid ^v_0
I understand everything upto this point but I have no idea what is happening in the next step.
The right side above is -5[ln(30 - .2v) - ln(30)] = 5[ln(30) - ln(30 - .2v)]
$$= 5 ln\frac{30}{30 - .2v}$$
They're just using a property of logs; namely that ln(a/b) = ln(a) - ln(b).
wahaj said:
t = 5 \ln \frac {30}{30-0.2v}
t = 5 \ln \frac{30}{30 - 0.2(50)} = 1.12s
several questions, first where did the 30 in the numerator come from? why did the minus sign before \frac{-1}{0.2} = -5 go to and why was the v replaced by 50 instead of 30. There is no conversion of units going on in this question.
 
did your post cut off or something?
 
wahaj said:
did your post cut off or something?

No, I think it's all there. Look at the part before the last quote. That's answering the question of why 5 instead of -5 and the manipulation of the logs stuff.
 
well i managed to figure it out when I found out that the log property was used. I don't understand the point of putting the variable in the denominator instead of simply writing
\ln \frac{30-0.2v}{30}
why make things unnecessarily complicated just to get rid of a negative sign.
Anyways thanks for the help.
 
wahaj said:
well i managed to figure it out when I found out that the log property was used. I don't understand the point of putting the variable in the denominator instead of simply writing
\ln \frac{30-0.2v}{30}
why make things unnecessarily complicated just to get rid of a negative sign.
Anyways thanks for the help.

Yes, there was no NEED to get rid of the negative. They just chose to write it that way.
 
wahaj said:

Homework Statement


a particle travels along a straight line and the acceleration is given by
a = 30 - 0.2v
determine the time when the velocity of the particle is v = 30


Homework Equations



\int \frac {dv}{ax+b} = \frac{1}{a} \ln (ax+b)


The Attempt at a Solution


This is the solution from the textbook. The problem is that my math class is behind schedule so I haven't learned integrals yet. The only knowledge I have on the matter is from what was briefly covered in my dynamics class. So I need an explanation of what is happening is happening in this solution.
dt = \frac{dv}{a}
\int ^t_0 dt = \int ^v_0 \frac {dv}{30 - 0.2v}
t\mid^t_0 = \frac {-1}{0.2} \ln({30-0.2v}) \mid ^v_0
I understand everything upto this point but I have no idea what is happening in the next step.
t = 5 \ln \frac {30}{30-0.2v}
t = 5 \ln \frac{30}{30 - 0.2(50)} = 1.12s
several questions, first where did the 30 in the numerator come from? why did the minus sign before \frac{-1}{0.2} = -5 go to and why was the v replaced by 50 instead of 30. There is no conversion of units going on in this question.

There is some vital information missing from the problem statement: what is the initial velocity v0 at t = 0? For example, if v0 = 50 we cannot have v(t) = 30 for t > 0; the solution has t < 0; if v0 > 150 there is no time where v(t) = 30.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
3K