Math Problem Statement

A particle of mass m , initially at rest at x=0 , is accelerated by a force that increases in time as F=Ct2 . Determine its velocity v as a function of time. Express your answer in terms of the given quantities.Determine its position x as a function of time. Express your answer in terms of the given quantities.

Solution

Let's break down the problem step by step.

1. Given information:

  • The particle has mass mm.
  • It starts at rest, so v(0)=0v(0) = 0 and x(0)=0x(0) = 0.
  • The force acting on the particle increases with time as F(t)=Ct2F(t) = Ct^2, where CC is a constant.
  • We need to determine the velocity v(t)v(t) and position x(t)x(t) as functions of time.

2. Newton's Second Law:

Newton's Second Law relates force to acceleration: F(t)=ma(t)F(t) = m a(t) where a(t)a(t) is the acceleration of the particle. We also know that a(t)=dv(t)dta(t) = \frac{dv(t)}{dt}.

Given that F(t)=Ct2F(t) = Ct^2, we can substitute this into Newton's Second Law: ma(t)=Ct2m a(t) = Ct^2 mdv(t)dt=Ct2m \frac{dv(t)}{dt} = Ct^2 Now, solve for dv(t)dt\frac{dv(t)}{dt}: dv(t)dt=Cmt2\frac{dv(t)}{dt} = \frac{C}{m} t^2

3. Integrate to find v(t)v(t):

Integrating both sides with respect to time tt: v(t)=Cmt2dtv(t) = \int \frac{C}{m} t^2 \, dt v(t)=Cmt2dtv(t) = \frac{C}{m} \int t^2 \, dt v(t)=Cm(t33)+v(0)v(t) = \frac{C}{m} \left( \frac{t^3}{3} \right) + v(0) Since the particle starts from rest, v(0)=0v(0) = 0. So: v(t)=C3mt3v(t) = \frac{C}{3m} t^3

4. Determine the position x(t)x(t):

We know that velocity is the time derivative of position: v(t)=dx(t)dtv(t) = \frac{dx(t)}{dt}. Therefore: dx(t)dt=C3mt3\frac{dx(t)}{dt} = \frac{C}{3m} t^3 Now, integrate this to find x(t)x(t): x(t)=C3mt3dtx(t) = \int \frac{C}{3m} t^3 \, dt x(t)=C3mt3dtx(t) = \frac{C}{3m} \int t^3 \, dt x(t)=C3m(t44)+x(0)x(t) = \frac{C}{3m} \left( \frac{t^4}{4} \right) + x(0) Since x(0)=0x(0) = 0, the final expression for x(t)x(t) is: x(t)=C12mt4x(t) = \frac{C}{12m} t^4

Summary:

  • The velocity of the particle as a function of time is: v(t)=C3mt3v(t) = \frac{C}{3m} t^3

  • The position of the particle as a function of time is: x(t)=C12mt4x(t) = \frac{C}{12m} t^4


Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How would the result change if the force was F=CtF = C t instead of F=Ct2F = C t^2?
  2. What is the acceleration a(t)a(t) as a function of time for this force?
  3. How would you find the time when the particle reaches a specific velocity?
  4. How would you calculate the work done by the force up to time tt?
  5. What if the particle had an initial velocity? How would that change the equations?

Tip: When dealing with time-dependent forces, always use Newton's Second Law and integrate step by step to find velocity and position.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Classical Mechanics
Kinematics
Differential Equations
Newton's Second Law

Formulas

Newton's Second Law: F(t) = ma(t)
Acceleration: a(t) = dv(t)/dt
Velocity: v(t) = ∫(a(t)) dt
Position: x(t) = ∫(v(t)) dt

Theorems

Newton's Second Law of Motion
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Physics