Modeling motion with air resistance (integral calculus)

In summary, we are looking at a ball being thrown upward with air resistance acting against it. We have derived a differential equation for the ball's velocity and solved it using the given values. We have also found equations for the height of the ball and determined when it reaches the apex and when it lands. It takes the ball longer to come down than it does to come up.
  • #1
numba1stunna
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Please, any help would be appreciated.

Air resistance is a force that acts in the direction opposite to the motion and increases in magnitude as velocity increases, let us assume at least initially that air resistance r is proportional to the velocity: r = pv, where p is a negative constant. suppose a ball of mass m is thrown upward from the ground. The net force f on the ball is F = r – mg (the direction of the force r is downward (negative) when the ball is traveling upward and the direction of r is upward when the ball is traveling upward.)

1. Use the net force equation and the fact that F = ma to write a differential equation for the ball’s velocity.

2. Assume m = .5kg and p = .1. Make a direction field for the differential equation and sketch a solution of the initial value problem v(0) = 50 m/s.

3. Solve the initial value problem algebraically. Hint: be sure to take the constant of integration into account.

4. Find an equation of the height of the ball at time t.

5. When does the ball reach the apex of its trajectory? When does the ball land?

6. Does it take the ball longer to come up or come down?

This is what I've done so far.
m(dv/dt) - pv - mg = 0 for the upward motion

and

m(dv/dt) + pv - mg = 0 for the downward motion

taking upward to be positive (and both p, g < 0).
 
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  • #2
1. m(dv/dt) + pv - mg = 0 2. Direction Field: The direction field for this equation is the same for both upward and downward motion and is given by the graph below: 3. Solving algebraically: The solution to the initial value problem is given by v(t) = 50 e^(-pt/m) - gt/p. 4. The equation of the height of the ball at time t is given by h(t) = 50t - (1/2)(gt^2)/p + c, where c is the constant of integration. 5. The ball reaches the apex of its trajectory when v(t) = 0, so t = (50m/g)e^(-pt/m). The ball lands when h(t) = 0, so t = [-c + (50/g)e^(-pt/m)]/(1/2)(g/p). 6. It takes the ball longer to come down than it does to come up.
 

FAQ: Modeling motion with air resistance (integral calculus)

1. How is air resistance modeled in the context of integral calculus?

Air resistance can be modeled by using the equation F = kv^n, where F is the air resistance force, k is a constant, and v is the velocity of the object. The value of n depends on the shape and size of the object and the properties of the fluid it is moving through. This equation can be integrated to find the work done by air resistance on the object.

2. How does air resistance affect the motion of an object?

Air resistance acts in the opposite direction of the object's motion and increases as the object's speed increases. This results in a decrease in the net force acting on the object, causing it to slow down and eventually reach a terminal velocity where the air resistance force is equal to the force of gravity.

3. Can air resistance be ignored in certain situations?

In most real-life scenarios, air resistance cannot be ignored. However, in cases where the object is small and moving at low speeds, such as a small toy car, the effects of air resistance can be negligible and can be ignored for simplification purposes.

4. How does the shape and size of an object affect air resistance?

The shape and size of an object have a significant impact on the magnitude of air resistance. Objects with larger surface areas, such as a parachute, experience more air resistance than objects with smaller surface areas, such as a bullet. Additionally, streamlined objects, like airplanes, experience less air resistance compared to irregularly shaped objects, like a feather.

5. How does air density affect air resistance?

Air density, which is affected by factors such as altitude and temperature, can greatly impact air resistance. As air density increases, so does the air resistance force experienced by an object. This is because denser air molecules can collide with the object more frequently, resulting in a higher net force acting against the object's motion.

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