Math Problem Statement

The velocity of a ball in the horizontal direction is given as the following function:

v(t) = 20 + 3t3,

where t is in seconds and the velocity is in meters per second. Part (a) Find the change in the position, in meters, between t = 0 and t = 6.6 s.

Solution

To find the change in position of the ball, we need to compute the displacement, which is the integral of the velocity function v(t)v(t) with respect to time over the interval from t=0t = 0 to t=6.6t = 6.6 seconds.

The velocity function is given as:

v(t)=20+3t3v(t) = 20 + 3t^3

The change in position (displacement) Δx\Delta x is the integral of v(t)v(t) from t=0t = 0 to t=6.6t = 6.6:

Δx=06.6v(t)dt=06.6(20+3t3)dt\Delta x = \int_0^{6.6} v(t) \, dt = \int_0^{6.6} (20 + 3t^3) \, dt

Now, let's compute this integral:

(20+3t3)dt=20t+3t44\int (20 + 3t^3) \, dt = 20t + \frac{3t^4}{4}

Now, we'll evaluate this from t=0t = 0 to t=6.6t = 6.6.

Δx=[20t+3t44]06.6\Delta x = \left[ 20t + \frac{3t^4}{4} \right]_0^{6.6}

Substituting the limits t=6.6t = 6.6 and t=0t = 0:

Δx=(20(6.6)+3(6.6)44)(20(0)+3(0)44)\Delta x = \left( 20(6.6) + \frac{3(6.6)^4}{4} \right) - \left( 20(0) + \frac{3(0)^4}{4} \right)

Let me calculate that for you.The change in the position of the ball between t=0t = 0 and t=6.6t = 6.6 seconds is approximately 1555.111555.11 meters.

Do you need further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How would the displacement change if the velocity function were different?
  2. What is the physical interpretation of the integral of a velocity function?
  3. How would you find the maximum velocity during the interval t=0t = 0 to t=6.6t = 6.6?
  4. Can you compute the acceleration of the ball from the given velocity function?
  5. How would you determine the average velocity over the same interval?

Tip: The area under a velocity-time graph gives the displacement, and integrating the velocity function serves the same purpose.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Kinematics

Formulas

Displacement = ∫v(t) dt
v(t) = 20 + 3t^3
∫(20 + 3t^3) dt = 20t + (3t^4)/4

Theorems

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12