Chapter 6: Problem 54
A falling body with friction equal to velocity squared obeys \(d v / d t=g-v^{2}\) (a) Show that \(v(t)=\sqrt{g}\) tanh \(\sqrt{g t \text { satisfies the equation. }}\) (b) Derive this \(v\) yourself, by integrating \(d v /\left(g-v^{2}\right)=d t\) (c) Integrate \(v(t)\) to find the distance \(f(t)\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Verify Solution for Differential Equation
Integrate the Differential Equation
Integrate Velocity to Find Distance
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Velocity Function
In this particular example, the velocity function is derived from a scenario where a falling object is subject to a frictional force proportional to its velocity squared. This means that the force hindering the object's motion increases with its speed, leading to a complex motion equation.
The specific form of the velocity function, involving hyperbolic tangent, arises because it naturally satisfies the differential equation \( \frac{dv}{dt} = g - v^2 \). This form shows that the velocity approaches its limiting value, a common occurrence in physics where forces decrease the rate of change of velocity.
Separation of Variables
\[ \frac{dv}{g - v^2} = dt \]
By isolating the terms involving \( v \) on one side and the differential element \( dt \) on the other, the path is laid out for integration. This manipulation permits us to handle the equation as two integrals, which can then be solved independently.
Separation of variables is especially useful for equations that, at first glance, appear tangled. It provides a way to decompose the problem into manageable parts and is particularly common in solving first-order differential equations like this one.
Partial Fraction Decomposition
\[ \frac{1}{g - v^2} = \frac{A}{g-v} + \frac{B}{g+v} \]
Solving for \( A \) and \( B \), we find \( A = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{g}} \) and \( B = -\frac{1}{2\sqrt{g}} \).
This decomposition allows us to integrate each fraction more straightforwardly, reducing the problem to a sum of logarithmic functions. It's a common technique when dealing with polynomial denominators that can be factored into linear terms.
Integration
\[ \int \left(\frac{1}{g + v} - \frac{1}{g - v}\right) dv = \int dt \]
Through integration, we find:
\[ \frac{1}{2\sqrt{g}}(\ln|g+v| - \ln|g-v|) = t + C \]
Solving this yields the function for velocity. Additionally, we integrate the velocity function \( v(t) \) to determine the distance \( f(t) \).
Integration is not just about finding areas under curves; it also reconstructs functions representing physical quantities like distance from velocity, providing insight into the dynamics of systems.
Hyperbolic Functions
The hyperbolic tangent function, denoted \( \tanh(x) \), appears prominently in the velocity function \( v(t) = \sqrt{g} \tanh(\sqrt{g}t) \). Like its trigonometric counterpart, \( \tanh(x) \) reflects the saturated growth typical in friction-impacted dynamics.
These functions owe their usefulness to their unique properties, such as having derivatives that are simple expressions in terms of hyperbolic secant:
\( \frac{d}{dx}\tanh(x) = \text{sech}^2(x) \).
The use of hyperbolic functions thus offers solutions that are mathematically elegant and physically meaningful, capturing phenomena like decelerating forces or equilibrium states in motion systems.