Solve the differential equation F=F0+kv

In summary: Unless he's nearby, I can't hear him asking himself "Is the RHS of ##\ddot x = \dot x \frac{d\dot x}{dx}## dimensionally consistent with the LHS?".
  • #1
OmegaKV
22
1

Homework Statement



Find the velocity of v as a function of displacement x for a particle of mass m which starts from rest at x=0 and subject to the following force:

[tex]F=F_0+kv[/tex]

You could say mv = F0*t + kx, but the answer in the back of the book is an equation that is only in terms of x and v, not t. The answer in the back of the book involves ln.

Homework Equations



Maybe this:

[tex]\ddot {x}= \frac{d \dot{x}}{dx}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]m\ddot{x}=F_0 +k\dot{x}[/tex]
[tex]m\dot{x} \frac{d\dot{x}}{dx}=F_0 +k\dot{x}[/tex]
[tex]m\dot{x} d\dot{x} = F_0dx + k\dot{x} dx[/tex]
[tex]\frac{1}{2}m\dot{x}^2 = F_0*x + ?[/tex]
 
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  • #2
The second equation you wrote down in your attempted solution is separable, but in order to separate it the side with dx should not depend on ##\dot x##.
 
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  • #3
OmegaKV said:

Homework Statement


Find the velocity of v as a function of displacement x for a particle of mass m which starts from rest at x=0 and subject to the following force:
[tex]F=F_0+kv[/tex]
You could say mv = F0*t + kx, but the answer in the back of the book is an equation that is only in terms of x and v, not t. The answer in the back of the book involves ln.

Homework Equations


Maybe this:
[tex]\ddot {x}= \frac{d \dot{x}}{dx}[/tex]
Is this eq'n dimensionally correct?

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]m\ddot{x}=F_0 +k\dot{x}[/tex]
[tex]m\dot{x} \frac{d\dot{x}}{dx}=F_0 +k\dot{x}[/tex]
[tex]m\dot{x} d\dot{x} = F_0dx + k\dot{x} dx[/tex]
[tex]\frac{1}{2}m\dot{x}^2 = F_0*x + ?[/tex]
 
  • #4
rude man said:
Is this eq'n dimensionally correct?
Well, he is not actually using that equation. He is using ##\ddot x = \dot x \, d\dot x/dx##.
 
  • #5
OmegaKV said:

Homework Statement



Find the velocity of v as a function of displacement x for a particle of mass m which starts from rest at x=0 and subject to the following force:
[tex]F=F_0+kv[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


[tex]m\ddot{x}=F_0 +k\dot{x}[/tex]
Assuming F0 and k are constants, how about a substitution of variables to reduce the 2nd order linear ODE into a 1st, then taking orodruin's hint to employ separation of variables to solve the new equation?
 
  • #6
Orodruin said:
Well, he is not actually using that equation. He is using ##\ddot x = \dot x \, d\dot x/dx##.
Right, but he wrote it down & should learn to check for dimensional consistency, a powerful error-detecting tool that doesn't seem to be sufficiently emphasized in our classrooms.
 

Related to Solve the differential equation F=F0+kv

1. What is a differential equation?

A differential equation is an equation that involves a function and its derivatives. It is used to describe how a quantity changes over time or in relation to other variables.

2. What does F0 represent in the equation F=F0+kv?

F0 represents the initial value of the function F. It is the value of the function when the independent variable (usually time) is equal to zero.

3. What is k in the equation F=F0+kv?

K is the constant of proportionality that relates the rate of change of the function F to the independent variable. It is also known as the coefficient of the derivative term.

4. How do you solve a differential equation?

The process of solving a differential equation involves finding a function that satisfies the equation. This can be done analytically using mathematical techniques such as separation of variables, substitution, or integration. Alternatively, numerical methods can be used to approximate the solution.

5. What are some real-world applications of differential equations?

Differential equations are widely used in various scientific fields, including physics, engineering, economics, and biology. They can be used to model and understand the behavior of complex systems such as population growth, chemical reactions, and electrical circuits.

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