Chapter 2: Problem 30
At time \(t\) seconds, the center of a bobbing cork is \(3 \sin 2 t\) centimeters above (or below) water level. What is the velocity of the cork at \(t=0, \pi / 2, \pi ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The velocities are 6 cm/s at \( t=0 \), -6 cm/s at \( t=\frac{\pi}{2} \), and 6 cm/s at \( t=\pi \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the function
The height of the cork above (or below) water level is given by the function \( h(t) = 3 \sin 2t \). This is a sinusoidal function representing the motion of the cork.
02
Differentiate the function
To find the velocity, differentiate the height function \( h(t) \) with respect to time \( t \). The derivative represents the velocity of the cork:\[ h'(t) = \frac{d}{dt}(3 \sin 2t) = 3 \cdot 2 \cos 2t = 6 \cos 2t.\]
03
Evaluate the velocity at \( t = 0 \)
Substitute \( t = 0 \) into the derivative to find the velocity at this time:\[ h'(0) = 6 \cos 2 \times 0 = 6 \cos 0 = 6 \times 1 = 6.\] The velocity of the cork at \( t = 0 \) seconds is 6 cm/s.
04
Evaluate the velocity at \( t = \frac{\pi}{2} \)
Substitute \( t = \frac{\pi}{2} \) into the derivative to find the velocity:\[ h'\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 6 \cos \left(2 \times \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 6 \cos \pi = 6 \times (-1) = -6.\] The velocity at \( t = \frac{\pi}{2} \) seconds is -6 cm/s.
05
Evaluate the velocity at \( t = \pi \)
Substitute \( t = \pi \) into the derivative to find the velocity:\[ h'(\pi) = 6 \cos (2 \times \pi) = 6 \cos (2\pi) = 6 \times 1 = 6.\] The velocity at \( t = \pi \) seconds is 6 cm/s.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions, like sine and cosine, are fundamental in understanding wave-like patterns and oscillations. In this exercise, the function representing the cork's motion is sinusoidal: \( h(t) = 3 \sin 2t \). Here, the sine function illustrates how the cork moves up and down over time.
- **Amplitude**: This is the maximum distance the cork moves from its resting point. In the expression \( 3 \sin 2t \), the amplitude is 3 cm. This means the cork moves 3 cm above or below the water level.
- **Frequency**: This concerns how many oscillations happen in a given time, influenced by the coefficient inside the sine function. For \( \sin 2t \), the frequency is doubled compared to just \( \sin t \), which means the motion completes its cycle twice as fast.
- **Period**: The period is the time taken to complete one full cycle of motion. For \( \sin 2t \), the period is \( \frac{2\pi}{2} = \pi \).
Velocity Calculation
When studying the movement of objects, velocity is a critical concept. Velocity refers to the rate of change of the object's position with time. In this context, we've determined the velocity of the cork by differentiating its height function:
The velocity function derived from the height is \( h'(t) = 6 \cos 2t \). Evaluating this derivative at specific times gives the velocity at those moments:
The velocity function derived from the height is \( h'(t) = 6 \cos 2t \). Evaluating this derivative at specific times gives the velocity at those moments:
- At \( t = 0 \): Substitute \( 0 \) into \( h'(t) \) to get \( h'(0) = 6 \cos 0 = 6 \). The velocity is 6 cm/s upward.
- At \( t = \frac{\pi}{2} \): Substitute \( \frac{\pi}{2} \) to obtain \( h'(\frac{\pi}{2}) = 6 \cos \pi = -6 \). The velocity is 6 cm/s downward, indicating a phase where the cork moves down.
- At \( t = \pi \): Substitute \( \pi \) to find \( h'(\pi) = 6 \cos 2\pi = 6 \). Again the velocity is 6 cm/s upward, showing a recurring cycle of motion.
Differentiation Techniques
Differentiation is a mathematical technique used to determine the rate at which a quantity changes. Calculating derivatives is crucial for finding velocities from position functions, as seen in this exercise.
To differentiate the function \( h(t) = 3 \sin 2t \), apply the chain rule, a common differentiation technique:
To differentiate the function \( h(t) = 3 \sin 2t \), apply the chain rule, a common differentiation technique:
- The **chain rule** is used when differentiating composed functions, like sine with an inner function of time \( 2t \).
- Start by differentiating the outer function, sine, with respect to the angle, yielding \( \cos \, \text{(angle)} \).
- Then, multiply by the derivative of the inner function \( 2t \), which is 2, to get \( 6 \cos 2t \). This step is where the chain rule is crucial as it accounts for changes in the inner function.