Force dependent on velocity of particle

So, you need to change your limits of integration to go from v0 to v, not 0 to v. In summary, the problem can be solved by integrating the equation of motion and setting the limits of integration from the initial velocity v0 to the final velocity v. This will give the distance traveled after time t and show that the particle comes to rest as t approaches infinity.
  • #1
Bacat
151
1

Homework Statement



A particle of mass m moves through a medium that resists its motions with a force of magnitude

[tex]-mk(v^2+av)[/tex]

where k and a are positive constants. If no other force acts, and the particle has an initial velocity v0, find the distance traveled after a time t.

Show that the particle comes to rest as [tex]t \to \infty[/tex]

Homework Equations



[tex]F=m\frac{dv}{dt}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



EOM: [tex]-k(v^2 + av) = \frac{dv}{dt}[/tex]

[tex]dt=\frac{dv}{-k(v^2+av)}[/tex]

[tex]\int \!dt=-\frac{1}{k} \int \! \frac{dv}{(v^2+av)}[/tex]...Integrate in Mathematica...

[tex]t-t_0 = \frac{Ln(a+v)-Ln(v)}{ak}[/tex]

[tex]Exp(atk)=\frac{a+v}{v}[/tex]

[tex]v(Exp(atk)-1)=a[/tex]

[tex]v(t)=\frac{a}{Exp(atk)-1}[/tex]

Set v = v0 at time t=0...

[tex]v(0) = v_0 = \frac{a}{Exp(0)-1} = \frac{a}{0}[/tex]

But this is not defined!

Did I make a mistake? How do I set v = v0 if I get infinity?

Thank you for your time and help.
 
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  • #2
The problem is with your limits of integration. The left side (time) goes from 0 to t. That's fine. The right side must go from v0 (which is the velocity that matches time t = 0) to v (which is the velocity that matches time t).
 

FAQ: Force dependent on velocity of particle

1. What is the relationship between force and velocity for a particle?

The force acting on a particle is directly proportional to its velocity. This means that as the velocity of a particle increases, the force acting on it also increases. Similarly, as the velocity decreases, the force acting on the particle decreases.

2. How does the direction of the force change with the velocity of the particle?

The direction of the force acting on a particle is dependent on the direction of the particle's velocity. If the velocity and force are in the same direction, the particle will accelerate in that direction. However, if the velocity and force are in opposite directions, the particle will decelerate in the opposite direction.

3. What is the formula for calculating force dependent on the velocity of a particle?

The formula for force dependent on velocity is F=ma, where F is the force, m is the mass of the particle, and a is the acceleration. This formula shows that the force acting on a particle is equal to the mass of the particle multiplied by its acceleration.

4. How does the mass of the particle affect the force dependent on its velocity?

The mass of the particle has a direct impact on the force acting on it. A larger mass will require a larger force to achieve the same acceleration as a smaller mass. This means that the force dependent on velocity will be greater for a particle with a larger mass compared to a particle with a smaller mass.

5. Can the force acting on a particle be independent of its velocity?

No, the force acting on a particle is always dependent on its velocity. This is because the acceleration, and therefore the force, is directly affected by the velocity of the particle. Without a change in velocity, there would be no acceleration and no force acting on the particle.

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