What is the equation of motion for a launched spherical stone?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the motion of a spherical stone launched vertically, considering forces such as gravity and Stokes drag. Participants explore the formulation of the equation of motion using Newton's second law, leading to a differential equation that describes the stone's velocity over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the stone, including gravitational and drag forces. They attempt to derive the equation of motion and express it as a differential equation. Questions arise regarding the correct formulation of forces and the integration of the resulting equations.

Discussion Status

There is active engagement as participants clarify the formulation of the differential equation and explore methods for solving it. Some guidance has been provided regarding the integration factor and initial conditions, but confusion remains about the algebraic steps and the implications of the initial velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the drag force and the need to consider initial conditions in their equations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct signs and terms in the equations, reflecting the challenges of the problem setup.

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Homework Statement



A spherical stone of mass 0.500 kg and radius 10 cm is launched vertically from ground level with an initial speed of 20.0 m/2. As it moves upwards, it experiences drag from the air as approximated by Stokes drag, F=6η∏Rv, where the viscosity of air is 1.002 mPa*s.
(a)Which forces are acting on the stone while it moves upward?
(b) Using Newton's second law of motion, write down an equation of motion for the stone this is a differential equation)
(c) Solve the differential equation to get an expression for v(t) for the stone.
(d) From (c) find the time at which the stone reaches its maximum height.
(e) From v(t), find h(t) for the stone (height as a function of time).
(f) Using (d) and (e), find the maximum height the stone reaches.
(h) Find the speed of the stone just before it hits the ground

Homework Equations


F=ma
a=dv/dt


The Attempt at a Solution


While the stone is moving upward, there is a gravitational force which is directed downwards. At the same time, there is a Stokes drag force directed downwards also(?).
(b). Newtons second law of motion: F=ma=m*(dv/dt). How should I continue.. Can anybody please help me with working out all these resting questions.. It would really help me with my understanding for such motions, and to develop some feeling for these problems.
Thank you in advance!
 
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ma is the left side of the equation ma = F. You need to specify F? You already noted that F is the sum of the gravitational force and the drag force. What is your equation for the gravitational force? What is your equation for the drag force? What is your equation for F?

Chet
 
hi hvthvt! :smile:
hvthvt said:
A spherical stone of mass 0.500 kg and radius 10 cm is launched vertically from ground level with an initial speed of 20.0 m/2. As it moves upwards, it experiences drag from the air as approximated by Stokes drag, F=6η∏Rv, where the viscosity of air is 1.002 mPa*s.

While the stone is moving upward, there is a gravitational force which is directed downwards. At the same time, there is a Stokes drag force directed downwards also(?).

yes, a drag force means opposite to the direction of motion (relative to the air)
(b). Newtons second law of motion: F=ma=m*(dv/dt). How should I continue..

erm :redface: … you should continue by starting! :wink:

i think if you write out F = ma in terms of the information given, you will see what they mean by a differential equation

show us what you get :smile:
 
Hey tiny-tim and Chestermiller, thanks for motivating.
I think that:
F=mg + 6η∏Rv
F=ma , so

mg + 6η∏Rv = m*(dv/dt)
I know that there is a v in the drag force,
m*(dv/dt) - 6η∏Rv = mg
Is this the differential equation?
Further calculus gives (dv/dt) - ((6η∏R)/m)*v = g
Now I should determine the integration factor, is this right? Doesn't that get too complicated then?

e-6η∏R .. ?
 
hvthvt said:
Hey tiny-tim and Chestermiller, thanks for motivating.
I think that:
F=mg + 6η∏Rv
F=ma , so

mg + 6η∏Rv = m*(dv/dt)
I know that there is a v in the drag force,
m*(dv/dt) - 6η∏Rv = mg
Is this the differential equation?
Further calculus gives (dv/dt) - ((6η∏R)/m)*v = g
Now I should determine the integration factor, is this right? Doesn't that get too complicated then?

e-6η∏R .. ?
You can do it by using an integrating factor (don't forget to include the m and the t in the integrating factor), of by recognizing that the equation is variable-separable. Either way, it's not too complicated.
 
The standard form of this diff equation should be
(dv/dt) + ((-6η∏R)/m)*v = g
p(t) = -6η∏R/m so P(t)=-6η∏Rt/m
So the integration factor is e-6η∏Rt/m

This gives (e-6η∏Rt/mv)' = g*e-6η∏Rt/m
e-6η∏Rt/m*v = (mg/-6η∏Rt)*e-6η∏Rt/m

Is this correct..
 
hvthvt said:
The standard form of this diff equation should be
(dv/dt) + ((-6η∏R)/m)*v = g
According to that, the faster it is going the more its speed will increase.
To make the working easier, I suggest substituting k = 6η∏R/m.
 
hvthvt said:
The standard form of this diff equation should be
(dv/dt) + ((-6η∏R)/m)*v = g
p(t) = -6η∏R/m so P(t)=-6η∏Rt/m
So the integration factor is e-6η∏Rt/m

This gives (e-6η∏Rt/mv)' = g*e-6η∏Rt/m
e-6η∏Rt/m*v = (mg/-6η∏Rt)*e-6η∏Rt/m

Is this correct..
No. You left out the initial condition on the velocity at t = 0.
 
Ok, at this point I'm pretty confused and stuck, especially because this is just part (b)..
(dv/dt) + (k/m)*v = g ??
 
  • #10
With the initial condition included, your equation for the velocity should be:

e-6η∏Rt/m*v-v0 = (mg/-6η∏R)*(e-6η∏Rt/m-1)
Also, v0 is negative because the stone is thrown upward, and you're been taking downward velocity as positive.
Please try to be more careful about your algebra, and try to include integration constants.

Chet
 
  • #11
Chestermiller said:
With the initial condition included, your equation for the velocity should be:

e-6η∏Rt/m*v-v0 = (mg/-6η∏R)*(e-6η∏Rt/m-1)
Except that the sign is wrong on the exponent. (See my post #7.)

hvthvt said:
(dv/dt) + (k/m)*v = g
Yes, that gets the sign right (k being positive).
The way I defined k (= 6η∏R/m) it also removes the m, so it's just (dv/dt) + k*v = g.
Applying the method you used before, you should now get (d/dt)(ektv) = gekt.
As Chet says, all you have to do is remember to include the constant of integration and deduce its value from v(0) = v0.
 
  • #12
haruspex said:
Except that the sign is wrong on the exponent. (See my post #7.)

Yiii. You're right. I want to get the equation formulation right for the record. If v is the upward velocity, then

m\frac{dv}{dt}=-mg-kv

If v is the downward velocity (a silly choice in my opinion),

m\frac{dv}{dt}=mg-kv

Chet
 
  • #13
Oooooh, I understand it, actually it looks pretty simple?
So that's the answer to b. Now for (c) I have to solve it.. meaning
m*(dv/dt) + kv = - mg
dv/dt + kv:m = -g

I do not really understand what to do with the initial velocity. This is zero.

ektv = - g*k*ekt + c
so v= -k*g + c/(ekt)

Is this it??
 
Last edited:

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