Chapter 6: Problem 4
In Exercises \(1-6,\) find the mass \(M\) and center of mass \(\overline{x}\) of the linear wire covering the given interval and having the given density \(\delta(x)\) . $$1 \leq x \leq 2, \quad \delta(x)=\frac{8}{x^{3}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The mass is 3, and the center of mass is \( \frac{4}{3} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Formula for Mass
The mass of the wire, denoted as \( M \), is calculated by integrating the density function \( \delta(x) \) over the given interval \([a, b]\). The formula for the mass is given by \[ M = \int_{a}^{b} \delta(x) \, dx. \]
02
Set Up the Mass Integral
Here, the interval is from \( x = 1 \) to \( x = 2 \), and the density function is \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \). Thus, the integral to find the mass is: \[ M = \int_{1}^{2} \frac{8}{x^3} \, dx. \]
03
Compute the Mass Integral
To integrate \( \frac{8}{x^3} \), rewrite the integrand as \( 8x^{-3} \). The antiderivative is \( -4x^{-2} \), thus: \[ M = \left[-4x^{-2} \right]_{1}^{2} = \left(-4 \cdot 2^{-2}\right) - \left(-4 \cdot 1^{-2}\right) = -1 + 4 = 3. \] Therefore, the mass \( M = 3 \).
04
Understand the Formula for Center of Mass
The center of mass \( \overline{x} \) of the wire is calculated using the formula \[ \overline{x} = \frac{1}{M} \int_{a}^{b} x \cdot \delta(x) \, dx. \] This involves an integral of the product of \( x \) and the density function.
05
Set Up the Integral for Center of Mass
Given \( x \) and \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \), the integral becomes: \[ \int_{1}^{2} x \cdot \frac{8}{x^3} \, dx = \int_{1}^{2} \frac{8}{x^2} \, dx. \]
06
Compute the Center of Mass Integral
To integrate \( \frac{8}{x^2} \), rewrite the integrand as \( 8x^{-2} \). The antiderivative is \( -8x^{-1} \), thus: \[ \overline{x} = \frac{1}{3} \left[-8x^{-1}\right]_{1}^{2} = \frac{1}{3} \left(-8 \cdot 2^{-1} + 8 \cdot 1^{-1}\right) = \frac{1}{3} \left(-4 + 8\right) = \frac{4}{3}. \] Hence, the center of mass \( \overline{x} = \frac{4}{3} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Mass Calculation
In calculus, mass calculation for objects like a wire on a specific interval involves integrating the density function over the specified range. Here, we are tasked with finding the mass of a wire spanning from 1 to 2 units with a density function \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \). To find its mass \( M \), we use the integral:
- Formula: \( M = \int_{a}^{b} \delta(x) \, dx \)
- Given Interval: 1 to 2
- Density Function: \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \)
Center of Mass
The center of mass represents the balancing point of the wire if it were to be hung horizontally. Calculating the center of mass \( \overline{x} \) involves finding the weighted average position, using both the density of the wire and its position along the x-axis.
- Formula: \( \overline{x} = \frac{1}{M} \int_{a}^{b} x \cdot \delta(x) \, dx \)
- For this wire: Use \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \)
Density Function
A density function defines how mass is distributed along an object, such as our wire here. It varies with position, which in our given problem is along the x-axis.
- Example Density Function Used: \( \delta(x) = \frac{8}{x^3} \)
- This implies that the density decreases significantly as x increases.