Chapter 6: Problem 30
Find the length of one arch of the cycloid \(x=a(\theta-\sin \theta)\) \(y=a(1-\cos \theta), 0 \leq \theta \leq 2 \pi,\) shown in the accompanying figure. A cycloid is the curve traced out by a point \(P\) on the circumference of a circle rolling along a straight line, such as the \(x\) -axis.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The length of one arch of the cycloid is \(8a\).
Step by step solution
01
Formula for Arc Length
The arc length of a curve given by parametric equations \(x = f(t)\) and \(y = g(t)\) from \(t = a\) to \(t = b\) is calculated using the formula: \(S = \int_a^b \sqrt{\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{dy}{dt}\right)^2} \, dt\).
02
Differentiate x with Respect to θ
Given \(x = a(\theta - \sin \theta)\), differentiate with respect to \(\theta\):\[\frac{dx}{d\theta} = a(1 - \cos \theta)\]
03
Differentiate y with Respect to θ
Given \(y = a(1 - \cos \theta)\), differentiate this with respect to \(\theta\):\[\frac{dy}{d\theta} = a\sin \theta\]
04
Substitute into Arc Length Formula
Substitute \(\frac{dx}{d\theta}\) and \(\frac{dy}{d\theta}\) into the arc length formula:\[S = \int_0^{2\pi} \sqrt{(a(1 - \cos \theta))^2 + (a\sin \theta)^2} \, d\theta\]
05
Simplify the Expression Under the Integral
Simplify the expression under the square root:\((a(1 - \cos \theta))^2 + (a\sin \theta)^2 = a^2((1 - \cos \theta)^2 + \sin^2 \theta)\)Expanding and combining like terms, we have:\[= a^2(1 - 2\cos \theta + \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta) = a^2(2 - 2\cos \theta) = 2a^2(1 - \cos \theta)\]
06
Solve the Integral
Taking the square root of the simplified expression:\[ \sqrt{2a^2(1 - \cos \theta)} = a\sqrt{2(1 - \cos \theta)} = a\sqrt{4\sin^2(\theta/2)} = 2a\sin(\theta/2)\]The integral then becomes:\[ S = \int_0^{2\pi} 2a\sin(\theta/2) \, d\theta \]
07
Evaluate the Integral
Now, evaluate the integral using the substitution method with \( u = \theta/2 \), which gives \(du = 1/2 \, d\theta\):\[ S = 4a \int_0^{\pi} \sin u \, du \]This integral evaluates to:\[ S = 4a [-\cos u]_0^{\pi} = 4a [1 - (-1)] = 8a \]
08
Final Step: Conclusion
The length of one arch of the cycloid, from \(\theta = 0\) to \(\theta = 2\pi\), is therefore \(8a\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Arc Length
In mathematics, the arc length of a curve is the distance along the curve between two points. Finding the arc length is a crucial part of understanding the nature of complex curves like the cycloid. The formula used for calculating the arc length when dealing with parametric equations is:
- \( S = \int_a^b \sqrt{\left(\frac{dx}{dt}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{dy}{dt}\right)^2} \, dt \)
Parametric Equations
Parametric equations are a way of defining a curve by representing its coordinates as functions of a single parameter. In the case of a cycloid, the parametric forms are given as:
- \( x = a(\theta - \sin \theta) \)
- \( y = a(1 - \cos \theta) \)
Integration
Integration is a mathematical technique used to calculate areas, volumes, and other quantities that add up across a curve or surface. In the context of finding the cycloid's arc length, integration helps sum the infinitesimal segments of the curve to find the total distance travelled by a point on the circle's rims. In this solution:
- The integral setup for the arc length is: \( S = \int_0^{2\pi} 2a\sin(\theta/2) \, d\theta \)
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function. It determines the rate at which a function's value changes. In the context of parametric equations, differentiation with respect to the parameter provides insight into the curve's behavior over that parameter. For the cycloid:
- The derivatives are \(\frac{dx}{d\theta} = a(1 - \cos \theta)\) and \(\frac{dy}{d\theta} = a\sin \theta\).