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Straight-line motion

Learning goals

  • Interprets position, velocity, and acceleration and their derivative relationships.
  • Computes velocity and acceleration from a position function.
  • Uses signs of velocity and acceleration to describe motion.
  • Distinguishes displacement from total distance traveled.

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Straight-line motion 1
A cart moves along a straight track. At \(t=4\,\text{s}\), its velocity is \(-7\,\text{m/s}\). State the cart's velocity, speed, and direction of motion at that instant.

Hints

- Velocity includes a sign; speed does not. - Speed is the magnitude of velocity. - Use the sign of velocity to determine direction.

Solution

1. The velocity is already given as \(-7\,\text{m/s}\). 2. Speed is the magnitude of velocity, so the speed is \(|-7|=7\,\text{m/s}\). 3. The negative velocity means the cart is moving in the negative direction along the track.

Answer

Velocity: \(-7\,\text{m/s}\); speed: \(7\,\text{m/s}\); direction: negative direction along the track.
Straight-line motion 2
A particle moves on a horizontal line. Its velocity is positive for \(0<t<3\), zero at \(t=3\), and negative for \(3<t<8\). Describe the particle's direction of motion before and after \(t=3\), and state whether it changes direction at \(t=3\).

Hints

- Direction comes from the sign of velocity. - Being at rest at one instant is not enough by itself to prove a direction change. - Compare the velocity signs on the two sides of \(t=3\).

Solution

1. Positive velocity on \(0<t<3\) means the particle moves in the positive direction. 2. Negative velocity on \(3<t<8\) means the particle moves in the negative direction. 3. Because the velocity changes sign from positive to negative at \(t=3\), the particle changes direction there.

Answer

The particle moves in the positive direction before \(t=3\), moves in the negative direction after \(t=3\), and changes direction at \(t=3\).
Straight-line motion 3
A cart moves along a straight track. The graph shows its position \(s(t)\), in meters, over time \(t\), in seconds. During which part of the trip is the cart moving in the positive direction, and during which part is it moving in the negative direction?
Figure for problem 562479

Hints

- Velocity is the slope of a position graph. - Check when the plotted position increases or decreases as time increases.

Solution

1. From \(t=0\) to \(t=2\), position rises as time passes, so velocity is positive and the cart moves in the positive direction. 2. From \(t=2\) to \(t=4\), position falls, so velocity is negative. At \(t=2\), the cart is momentarily at rest.

Answer

Positive direction for \(0<t<2\); negative direction for \(2<t<4\). At \(t=2\), the cart is momentarily at rest.
Straight-line motion 4
A tennis player hits a ball straight upward. Its height \(h\), in meters, after \(t\) seconds is modeled by \(h(t)=-4.9t^2+12t+1.5\). Use the ball's vertical velocity to determine when it reaches its highest point and the height of that point.

Hints

- What does the sign of vertical velocity tell you about whether the ball is moving upward or downward? - Find the time when the vertical velocity is zero. - Check how the sign of the velocity changes around that time before evaluating the height.

Solution

1. Differentiate height to get vertical velocity: \(v(t)=h'(t)=-9.8t+12\). 2. Solve \(v(t)=0\): \(-9.8t+12=0\), so \(t=\frac{60}{49}\approx 1.224\,\text{s}\). 3. For times just before \(\frac{60}{49}\), \(v(t)>0\), so the ball is moving upward. For times just after \(\frac{60}{49}\), \(v(t)<0\), so it is moving downward. Therefore, the ball is at its highest point at that time. 4. Evaluate the height: \(h\left(\frac{60}{49}\right)=\frac{867}{98}\approx 8.85\,\text{m}\).

Answer

The ball reaches its highest point after approximately \(1.22\,\text{s}\), at a height of approximately \(8.85\,\text{m}\).
Straight-line motion 5
An object moves along a straight line. Its position \(s\), in meters, at time \(t\), in seconds, is \(s(t)=0.5t^3-3t^2+10t\). 1) Find formulas for the instantaneous velocity \(v(t)\) and acceleration \(a(t)\). 2) Find the velocity at \(t=2\,\text{s}\). 3) At what time is the acceleration \(0\,\text{m/s}^2\)?

Hints

- Which physical quantity is the first derivative of position? - How are velocity and acceleration related by derivatives? - Substitute the given time into the appropriate function to find an instantaneous value. - To find when acceleration has a specified value, set up and solve an equation in \(t\).

Solution

1. Velocity is the derivative of position: \(v(t)=s'(t)=1.5t^2-6t+10\). Acceleration is the derivative of velocity: \(a(t)=v'(t)=3t-6\). 2. Evaluate the velocity: \(v(2)=1.5(2)^2-6(2)+10=4\,\text{m/s}\). 3. Set acceleration equal to zero: \(3t-6=0\), so \(t=2\,\text{s}\).

Answer

1) \(v(t)=1.5t^2-6t+10\) and \(a(t)=3t-6\) 2) \(4\,\text{m/s}\) 3) \(t=2\,\text{s}\)
Straight-line motion 6
A small underwater robot moves along a straight path. During the first \(10\) seconds, its position, in meters, is modeled by \(s(t)=0.02t^3-0.36t^2+2.4t\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. a) Find the robot's instantaneous velocity at \(t=5\,\text{s}\). b) Find its acceleration at the same time. Explain what the sign of the acceleration means for the robot's motion.

Hints

- The first derivative of position gives velocity. - Acceleration is the derivative of velocity. - A negative acceleration does not by itself mean slowing down; compare its sign with the velocity's sign. - Include the correct units for velocity and acceleration.

Solution

1. Differentiate position to find velocity: \(v(t)=s'(t)=0.06t^2-0.72t+2.4\). 2. Evaluate: \(v(5)=0.06(5)^2-0.72(5)+2.4=0.3\,\text{m/s}\). 3. Differentiate velocity to find acceleration: \(a(t)=v'(t)=0.12t-0.72\). 4. Evaluate: \(a(5)=0.12(5)-0.72=-0.12\,\text{m/s}^2\). 5. Because the velocity is positive and the acceleration is negative, the robot is slowing down at that instant.

Answer

a) \(v(5)=0.3\,\text{m/s}\) b) \(a(5)=-0.12\,\text{m/s}^2\). Since velocity and acceleration have opposite signs, the robot is slowing down.
Straight-line motion 7
A \(1200\,\text{kg}\) test vehicle moves along a straight track. Its position, in meters, is \(s(t)=\frac{1}{12}t^3+t^2+5t\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. Find the net force on the vehicle at \(t=4\,\text{s}\). Use \(F=ma\).

Hints

- Acceleration is the second derivative of position. - Find the acceleration at the specified time before applying \(F=ma\). - Check that the units combine to give newtons.

Solution

1. Differentiate position to find velocity: \(v(t)=s'(t)=\frac{1}{4}t^2+2t+5\). 2. Differentiate again to find acceleration: \(a(t)=s''(t)=\frac{1}{2}t+2\). 3. Evaluate: \(a(4)=4\,\text{m/s}^2\). 4. Apply Newton's second law: \(F=ma=(1200\,\text{kg})(4\,\text{m/s}^2)=4800\,\text{N}\).

Answer

The net force is \(4800\,\text{N}\).
Straight-line motion 8
At four instants, a particle moving on a straight line has the following velocity and acceleration signs. A: \(v>0\), \(a>0\) B: \(v>0\), \(a<0\) C: \(v<0\), \(a<0\) D: \(v<0\), \(a>0\) At which instants is the particle speeding up, and at which is it slowing down? Explain the rule you used.

Hints

- Speed is \(|v|\), so ask whether acceleration pushes velocity farther from zero or toward zero. - Compare the signs of \(v\) and \(a\) at each instant. - Negative acceleration does not automatically mean slowing down.

Solution

1. A particle speeds up when velocity and acceleration have the same sign, because acceleration changes velocity away from zero. 2. At A, both signs are positive, so the particle is speeding up. At C, both signs are negative, so the particle is also speeding up. 3. A particle slows down when velocity and acceleration have opposite signs. Therefore, it slows down at B and D.

Answer

Speeding up: A and C. Slowing down: B and D. The particle speeds up when \(v\) and \(a\) have the same sign and slows down when they have opposite signs.
Straight-line motion 9
The table gives position, velocity, and acceleration for a robot moving along a straight rail. <table><tr><th>\(t\) (s)</th><th>\(s(t)\) (m)</th><th>\(v(t)\) (m/s)</th><th>\(a(t)\) (m/s²)</th></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>-1</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>10</td><td>-4</td><td>-2</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>-2</td><td>3</td></tr></table> a) At \(t=2\), state the robot's position, velocity, speed, and direction of motion. b) At \(t=2\), is the robot speeding up or slowing down? Explain why the fact that \(a(2)<0\) is not enough by itself to answer.

Hints

- Read each quantity from its own table column; position, velocity, and acceleration are different quantities. - Convert velocity to speed by taking its magnitude. - To classify speeding up or slowing down, compare the signs of velocity and acceleration rather than using acceleration alone.

Solution

1. At \(t=2\), the table gives \(s(2)=10\,\text{m}\), \(v(2)=-4\,\text{m/s}\), and \(a(2)=-2\,\text{m/s}^2\). 2. The speed is \(|v(2)|=4\,\text{m/s}\), and the negative velocity means the robot is moving in the negative direction. 3. Since velocity and acceleration are both negative, the magnitude of velocity is increasing, so the robot is speeding up. 4. A negative acceleration means velocity is becoming more negative; whether that increases or decreases speed depends on the sign of velocity.

Answer

a) Position: \(10\,\text{m}\); velocity: \(-4\,\text{m/s}\); speed: \(4\,\text{m/s}\); direction: negative direction. b) The robot is speeding up because \(v(2)\) and \(a(2)\) are both negative. Negative acceleration alone does not determine whether speed is increasing or decreasing.
Straight-line motion 10
A robot moves along a straight rail. Its position \(s(t)\), in meters, is recorded below. <table><tr><th>Time (s)</th><th>0</th><th>4</th></tr><tr><td>Position (m)</td><td>3</td><td>5</td></tr></table> Find its displacement and average velocity during the first \(4\) seconds.

Hints

- What would a positive change in position tell you about the robot's motion? - Displacement is measured in meters, while average velocity is measured in meters per second. How are the two connected?

Solution

1. Displacement is final position minus initial position: \(s(4)-s(0)=5-3=2\,\text{m}\). 2. The average velocity is displacement divided by elapsed time: \(\frac{2}{4}=0.5\,\text{m/s}\).

Answer

Displacement: \(2\,\text{m}\); average velocity: \(0.5\,\text{m/s}\).
Straight-line motion 11
The graph shows a train's signed velocity \(v(t)\), in meters per second, over time \(t\), in seconds. Positive velocity means movement east. a) At \(t=2\) and \(t=5\), in which direction is the train moving? b) Is the train speeding up or slowing down at each time? Explain using velocity and acceleration.
Figure for problem 562480

Hints

- The sign of the graph's height tells direction. - The slope of a velocity graph gives acceleration. - Speed increases when velocity and acceleration have matching signs.

Solution

1. The graph gives \(v(2)=2\,\text{m/s}\), eastward, and \(v(5)=-1\,\text{m/s}\), westward. 2. The slope is \(v'(t)=-1\,\text{m/s}^2\) throughout. At \(t=2\), velocity and acceleration have opposite signs, so the train is slowing down. 3. At \(t=5\), both velocity and acceleration are negative, so the train is speeding up while heading west.

Answer

a) East at \(t=2\); west at \(t=5\). b) Slowing down at \(t=2\), speeding up at \(t=5\), since acceleration is negative throughout.
Straight-line motion 12
A cart moves along a straight path. Its signed velocity is constant during each time interval shown. <table><tr><th>Time interval (s)</th><th>\(0\) to \(3\)</th><th>\(3\) to \(7\)</th><th>\(7\) to \(9\)</th></tr><tr><td>Velocity (m/s)</td><td>\(2\)</td><td>\(-1\)</td><td>\(1\)</td></tr></table> Find the cart's displacement and its total distance traveled over the \(9\) seconds.

Hints

- For each interval, combine the constant velocity with the elapsed time. - Keep signs for displacement but use nonnegative lengths for distance traveled.

Solution

1. Signed displacements are \(2\cdot3=6\,\text{m}\), \((-1)\cdot4=-4\,\text{m}\), and \(1\cdot2=2\,\text{m}\). 2. Net displacement is \(6-4+2=4\,\text{m}\). 3. Total distance is the sum of the distances regardless of direction: \(6+4+2=12\,\text{m}\).

Answer

Displacement: \(4\,\text{m}\); total distance: \(12\,\text{m}\).
Straight-line motion 13
A robot starts at position \(s(0)=5\,\text{m}\). Its signed velocity is \(v(t)=6-2t\), in meters per second. The position function has the form \(s(t)=at^2+bt+c\), where \(t\) is in seconds. Find \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\). Check your answer using both the velocity and the starting position.

Hints

- Differentiate the general quadratic position function without choosing its coefficients yet. - Compare the coefficients in the velocity expression with the given velocity. - Use the starting position to determine the remaining constant.

Solution

1. Differentiate the unknown quadratic: \(s'(t)=2at+b\). 2. Compare with \(v(t)=6-2t\): \(2a=-2\), so \(a=-1\), and \(b=6\). 3. Since \(s(0)=c=5\), the position function is \(s(t)=5+6t-t^2\). Its derivative is \(6-2t\), and its starting position is \(5\,\text{m}\).

Answer

\(a=-1\), \(b=6\), \(c=5\), so \(s(t)=5+6t-t^2\).
Straight-line motion 14
A drone is already \(12\,\text{m}\) above the ground when observations begin. Its height is modeled by \(h(t)=12+4t-t^2\), where \(t\) is the number of seconds since observations began. a) Find when the drone reaches the ground. b) Find its vertical velocity when it reaches the ground. Is it moving up or down? c) Explain why \(h'(7)\) does not describe its actual velocity seven seconds after observations began.

Hints

- What event ends the flight described by the height model? - How can the height function tell you when that event occurs? - How is the direction of motion related to the sign of the height's derivative? - Does the model give a possible height at the later time?

Solution

1. At ground level, \(12+4t-t^2=0\), or \((t-6)(t+2)=0\). The physically meaningful time is \(t=6\,\text{s}\). 2. \(h'(t)=4-2t\), so \(h'(6)=-8\,\text{m/s}\). The drone is descending at landing. 3. At \(t=7\), the model gives \(h(7)=-9\,\text{m}\), below the ground. The modeled flight ends at \(t=6\), so the computed value \(h'(7)\) is not the drone's real velocity after landing.

Answer

a) \(t=6\,\text{s}\). b) \(h'(6)=-8\,\text{m/s}\); moving downward. c) The model ends at landing, \(t=6\). Its prediction \(h(7)=-9\,\text{m}\) is impossible as a height above ground, so \(h'(7)\) is not a real velocity.
Straight-line motion 15
A toy rocket is launched straight upward. Its height \(h\), in meters, after \(t\) seconds is modeled by \(h(t) = -5t^2 + 30t + 0.5\). a) Find the rocket's velocity function \(v(t)\). b) Find when the rocket reaches its highest point and determine its maximum height. c) Find the rocket's velocity when it hits the ground.

Hints

- How are position and velocity related? - What is the velocity when the rocket changes direction? - What equation describes the moment when the rocket reaches the ground? - What does a negative velocity mean in this context?

Solution

1. Velocity is the derivative of position: \(v(t) = h'(t) = -10t + 30\). 2. At the highest point, \(v(t) = 0\). Solve \(-10t + 30 = 0\) to get \(t = 3\,\text{s}\). Then \(h(3) = -5(3^2) + 30(3) + 0.5 = 45.5\,\text{m}\). 3. The rocket hits the ground when \(h(t) = 0\). The positive solution of \(-5t^2 + 30t + 0.5 = 0\) is \(t = 3 + \frac{\sqrt{910}}{10} \approx 6.017\,\text{s}\). 4. Evaluate the velocity at that time: \(v(t) = -10t + 30 = -\sqrt{910} \approx -30.17\,\text{m/s}\). The negative sign indicates downward motion.

Answer

a) \(v(t) = -10t + 30\) b) The rocket reaches its highest point at \(t = 3\,\text{s}\), and the maximum height is \(45.5\,\text{m}\). c) The impact velocity is approximately \(-30.17\,\text{m/s}\), or \(30.17\,\text{m/s}\) downward.
Straight-line motion 16
During the first \(15\) minutes of its motion, the height of a weather balloon is modeled by \(h(t)=-0.2t^3+3t^2+20\), where \(t\) is measured in minutes and \(h(t)\) is measured in meters. a) Find the balloon's average vertical velocity during the first \(5\) minutes. b) Find the balloon's instantaneous vertical velocity exactly \(3\) minutes after the start. c) Determine when the balloon stops rising and begins falling, and find its height then. d) Find the acceleration at \(t=3\) and \(t=7\). Explain what each sign says about how the balloon's vertical velocity is changing.

Hints

- Average vertical velocity uses the change in height over the change in time. - The sign of \(v(t)=h'(t)\) tells whether the balloon is rising or falling. - A change from positive velocity to negative velocity identifies when upward motion ends. - Acceleration describes how velocity is changing; interpret its sign in terms of velocity, not height.

Solution

1. Since \(h(0)=20\) and \(h(5)=70\), the average vertical velocity on \([0,5]\) is \(\frac{70-20}{5}=10\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}}\). 2. The velocity is \(v(t)=h'(t)=-0.6t^2+6t=-0.6t(t-10)\). Thus \(v(3)=12.6\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}}\). 3. On \(0<t<10\), \(v(t)>0\), and on \(10<t\le 15\), \(v(t)<0\). Therefore, the balloon stops rising and begins falling at \(t=10\,\text{min}\). Its height then is \(h(10)=120\,\text{m}\). 4. The acceleration is \(a(t)=v'(t)=-1.2t+6\). Thus \(a(3)=2.4\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}^2}\) and \(a(7)=-2.4\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}^2}\). At \(t=3\), the positive acceleration means the vertical velocity is increasing; at \(t=7\), the negative acceleration means the vertical velocity is decreasing.

Answer

a) \(10\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}}\) b) \(12.6\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}}\) c) The balloon stops rising and begins falling at \(t=10\,\text{min}\), when its height is \(120\,\text{m}\). d) \(a(3)=2.4\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}^2}\), so the vertical velocity is increasing then. \(a(7)=-2.4\,\frac{\text{m}}{\text{min}^2}\), so the vertical velocity is decreasing then.
Straight-line motion 17
An arrow is shot straight upward with an initial velocity of \(45\,\text{m/s}\). Its height \(h\), in meters, after \(t\) seconds is modeled by \(h(t) = -4.905t^2 + 45t\). a) Find the time when the arrow reaches its maximum height. b) Find the maximum height. c) Give the time interval during which the arrow is rising. Justify your answer using the first derivative.

Hints

- What physical quantity does the derivative of height represent? - What is the vertical velocity at the instant the arrow changes direction? - How does the sign of the first derivative indicate whether the height is increasing? - The motion begins at \(t = 0\).

Solution

1. Differentiate: \(h'(t) = -9.81t + 45\). 2. Set the velocity equal to zero: \(-9.81t + 45 = 0\), so \(t = \frac{500}{109} \approx 4.587\,\text{s}\). 3. Evaluate the height: \(h(\frac{500}{109}) = \frac{11250}{109} \approx 103.21\,\text{m}\). 4. The arrow is rising when \(h'(t) > 0\). Solving \(-9.81t + 45 > 0\) gives \(0 \le t < \frac{500}{109}\). Therefore, the arrow rises on \([0, \frac{500}{109})\) seconds, approximately \([0, 4.587)\) seconds.

Answer

a) \(t = \frac{500}{109} \approx 4.59\,\text{s}\) b) \(\frac{11250}{109}\,\text{m} \approx 103.21\,\text{m}\) c) \([0, \frac{500}{109})\) seconds, approximately \([0, 4.59)\) seconds
Straight-line motion 18
Two model cars move along a test track. Their positions, in centimeters, at time \(t\), in seconds, are \(s_1(t)=6t^2+2t\) \(s_2(t)=t^3+3t^2+5t\). 1) Which car has the greater instantaneous velocity at \(t=0\,\text{s}\)? Justify your answer algebraically. 2) Find the time \(t>0\) when the cars have equal acceleration.

Hints

- The slope of a position function is instantaneous velocity. - Velocity is the rate of change of position. - Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. - Equal accelerations can be found by setting the acceleration functions equal.

Solution

1. Differentiate to find velocity: \(v_1(t)=12t+2\) and \(v_2(t)=3t^2+6t+5\). At \(t=0\), \(v_1(0)=2\,\text{cm/s}\) and \(v_2(0)=5\,\text{cm/s}\), so car 2 has the greater initial velocity. 2. Differentiate again: \(a_1(t)=12\) and \(a_2(t)=6t+6\). Set them equal: \(12=6t+6\), giving \(t=1\,\text{s}\).

Answer

1) Car 2; its velocity is \(5\,\text{cm/s}\), compared with \(2\,\text{cm/s}\) for car 1. 2) \(t=1\,\text{s}\)
Straight-line motion 19
An object moves along a straight line with position \(s(t)=\frac{1}{6}t^3-2t^2+6t\), where \(s\) is measured in meters and \(t\geq0\) is measured in seconds. a) Find the velocity and acceleration at \(t=2\,\text{s}\). Describe the object's motion at that instant. b) Find another time \(t>2\) when the object is momentarily at rest. Find the acceleration at that time.

Hints

- What must velocity equal when an object is momentarily at rest? - When velocity is zero, its sign on either side determines whether the object reverses direction. - Find rest times by solving a quadratic equation for \(v(t)=0\). - Differentiate position twice to obtain acceleration.

Solution

1. Differentiate: \(v(t)=s'(t)=\frac{1}{2}t^2-4t+6\) and \(a(t)=v'(t)=t-4\). 2. At \(t=2\), \(v(2)=0\,\text{m/s}\) and \(a(2)=-2\,\text{m/s}^2\). The object is momentarily at rest and reverses direction because the velocity changes from positive to negative. 3. For another rest time, solve \(v(t)=0\): \(\frac{1}{2}t^2-4t+6=0\). 4. Multiplying by \(2\) and factoring gives \(t^2-8t+12=(t-2)(t-6)=0\). 5. The other time is \(t=6\,\text{s}\), and \(a(6)=2\,\text{m/s}^2\).

Answer

a) \(v(2)=0\,\text{m/s}\) and \(a(2)=-2\,\text{m/s}^2\). The object is momentarily at rest and reverses direction. b) The other rest time is \(t=6\,\text{s}\), when \(a(6)=2\,\text{m/s}^2\).
Straight-line motion 20
An object moves along a line. Its position, in meters, at time \(t\) seconds is \(s(t) = t^3 - 9t^2 + 24t\). a) Find the times when the object is momentarily at rest. b) Find the acceleration at those times. c) Describe how the direction of motion changes at each time.

Hints

- The object is momentarily at rest when its velocity is zero. - Differentiate velocity to obtain acceleration. - Factor the velocity function and examine its sign on either side of each zero. - A sign change in velocity indicates a reversal of direction.

Solution

1. Differentiate position: \(v(t) = s'(t) = 3t^2 - 18t + 24 = 3(t - 2)(t - 4)\). 2. Set \(v(t) = 0\). The object is at rest at \(t = 2\,\text{s}\) and \(t = 4\,\text{s}\). 3. Differentiate velocity: \(a(t) = v'(t) = 6t - 18\). 4. Evaluate: \(a(2) = -6\,\text{m/s}^2\) and \(a(4) = 6\,\text{m/s}^2\). 5. The velocity changes from positive to negative at \(t = 2\), so the object reverses from the positive direction to the negative direction. At \(t = 4\), velocity changes from negative to positive, so the object reverses back to the positive direction.

Answer

a) \(t = 2\,\text{s}\) and \(t = 4\,\text{s}\) b) \(a(2) = -6\,\text{m/s}^2\) and \(a(4) = 6\,\text{m/s}^2\) c) At \(t = 2\), motion changes from the positive direction to the negative direction. At \(t = 4\), it changes from the negative direction to the positive direction.
Straight-line motion 21
A freight train begins moving in a rail yard. During the first \(30\) seconds, its position is modeled by \(s(t)=0.005t^3+0.06t^2\), where \(s\) is measured in meters and \(t\) in seconds. a) Find the train's velocity after \(20\) seconds in both \(\text{m/s}\) and \(\text{km/h}\). b) Find its acceleration at \(t=20\,\text{s}\).

Hints

- Use derivatives to relate position, velocity, and acceleration. - To convert \(\text{m/s}\) to \(\text{km/h}\), multiply by \(3.6\). - The slope of a position-time graph is instantaneous velocity.

Solution

1. Differentiate position: \(v(t)=s'(t)=0.015t^2+0.12t\). 2. Evaluate: \(v(20)=0.015(20)^2+0.12(20)=8.4\,\text{m/s}\). 3. Convert units: \(8.4\cdot3.6=30.24\), so the velocity is \(30.24\,\text{km/h}\). 4. Differentiate again: \(a(t)=s''(t)=0.03t+0.12\). 5. Evaluate: \(a(20)=0.03(20)+0.12=0.72\,\text{m/s}^2\).

Answer

a) \(8.4\,\text{m/s}\), or \(30.24\,\text{km/h}\) b) \(0.72\,\text{m/s}^2\)
Straight-line motion 22
Two vehicles start at the same time. Their positions, in meters, are \(s_1(t)=\frac{1}{6}t^3+2t^2+4t\) and \(s_2(t)=t^2+10t\), where \(t\geq0\) is measured in seconds. Find the instantaneous acceleration of each vehicle at the time when their instantaneous velocities are equal.

Hints

- Differentiate position once for velocity and twice for acceleration. - At the requested time, the two velocity functions have equal values. - Discard a negative time because the model uses \(t\geq0\).

Solution

1. Differentiate to find velocity: \(v_1(t)=\frac{1}{2}t^2+4t+4\) and \(v_2(t)=2t+10\). 2. Set the velocities equal: \(\frac{1}{2}t^2+4t+4=2t+10\). 3. Simplifying gives \(t^2+4t-12=0=(t-2)(t+6)\). Since \(t\geq0\), the relevant time is \(t=2\,\text{s}\). 4. Differentiate velocity: \(a_1(t)=t+4\) and \(a_2(t)=2\). 5. At \(t=2\), \(a_1(2)=6\,\text{m/s}^2\) and \(a_2(2)=2\,\text{m/s}^2\).

Answer

At \(t=2\,\text{s}\), vehicle 1 has acceleration \(6\,\text{m/s}^2\), and vehicle 2 has acceleration \(2\,\text{m/s}^2\).
Straight-line motion 23
For \(t\geq0\), the positions of test objects \(A\) and \(B\), in meters, are modeled by \(s_A(t)=\frac{1}{12}t^3+\frac{1}{2}t^2+2t\) \(s_B(t)=\frac{3}{4}t^2+3t\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. a) Find the time \(t>0\) when the objects have equal instantaneous acceleration. b) Determine which object has the greater velocity at that time. Justify your answer algebraically.

Hints

- The first derivative of position is velocity, and the second derivative is acceleration. - Express equal acceleration by setting the two acceleration functions equal. - Substitute the time from part a) into both velocity functions.

Solution

1. Differentiate twice. For object \(A\), \(v_A(t)=\frac{1}{4}t^2+t+2\) and \(a_A(t)=\frac{1}{2}t+1\). For object \(B\), \(v_B(t)=\frac{3}{2}t+3\) and \(a_B(t)=\frac{3}{2}\). 2. Set the accelerations equal: \(\frac{1}{2}t+1=\frac{3}{2}\), so \(t=1\,\text{s}\). 3. Evaluate the velocities: \(v_A(1)=3.25\,\text{m/s}\) and \(v_B(1)=4.5\,\text{m/s}\). 4. Since \(4.5>3.25\), object \(B\) has the greater velocity.

Answer

a) \(t=1\,\text{s}\) b) Object \(B\); \(v_B(1)=4.5\,\text{m/s}\), while \(v_A(1)=3.25\,\text{m/s}\).
Straight-line motion 24
A test vehicle moves along a straight track. Its position \(s(t)\), in meters from a fixed origin in the positive direction, is modeled for \(t\ge0\) by \(s(t)=\sqrt{4t^2+900}\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. a) Find the vehicle's initial position. b) Find its instantaneous velocity \(v(t)=s'(t)\) at \(t=20\,\text{s}\). c) Show that \(s''(t)=\frac{3600}{(4t^2+900)^{\frac{3}{2}}}\). Interpret the sign of \(s''(t)\) in terms of the vehicle's velocity.

Hints

- Use the chain rule for the square-root function. - Position, velocity, and acceleration are connected by successive derivatives. - Differentiate the velocity using the product rule or quotient rule. - A positive second derivative means the first derivative is increasing.

Solution

1. a) \(s(0)=\sqrt{900}=30\), so the initial position is \(30\,\text{m}\) from the origin. 2. b) By the chain rule, \(s'(t)=\frac{4t}{\sqrt{4t^2+900}}\). Therefore, \(s'(20)=\frac{80}{50}=1.6\,\text{m}/\text{s}\). 3. c) Differentiate \(s'(t)=4t(4t^2+900)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\): \(s''(t)=4(4t^2+900)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-16t^2(4t^2+900)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\). 4. Combining terms gives \(s''(t)=\frac{4(4t^2+900)-16t^2}{(4t^2+900)^{\frac{3}{2}}}=\frac{3600}{(4t^2+900)^{\frac{3}{2}}}\). 5. Since \(s''(t)>0\) for \(t\ge0\), the velocity \(s'(t)\) is increasing.

Answer

a) \(30\,\text{m}\) b) \(1.6\,\text{m}/\text{s}\) c) \(s''(t)=\frac{3600}{(4t^2+900)^{\frac{3}{2}}}>0\), so the vehicle's velocity is increasing.
Straight-line motion 25
An object with mass \(0.5\,\text{kg}\) moves along an axis with position \(s(t)=\frac{2}{3}t^3-6t^2+10t\), where \(s\) is measured in meters and \(t\) in seconds. a) Find the net force function \(F(t)\), in newtons. b) At what time \(t>0\) is the net force zero? c) Find the object's velocity at the time found in part b).

Hints

- Use the second derivative of position to find acceleration before applying \(F=ma\). - Zero net force means the force function equals \(0\). - Velocity is the first derivative of position. - A negative velocity indicates motion in the negative direction.

Solution

1. Differentiate position: \(v(t)=s'(t)=2t^2-12t+10\). 2. Differentiate again: \(a(t)=v'(t)=4t-12\). 3. Apply \(F=ma\): \(F(t)=0.5(4t-12)=2t-6\). 4. Set the force equal to zero: \(2t-6=0\), so \(t=3\,\text{s}\). 5. Evaluate the velocity: \(v(3)=2(3)^2-12(3)+10=-8\,\text{m/s}\).

Answer

a) \(F(t)=2t-6\), in newtons b) \(t=3\,\text{s}\) c) \(-8\,\text{m/s}\)
Straight-line motion 26
A test vehicle moves along a straight road. Its velocity, in \(\text{m/s}\), is \(v(t)=0.5t^2+2t\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. 1) Find the average acceleration on \([2,4]\). 2) Find the instantaneous acceleration at \(t=2\,\text{s}\). 3) Explain the mathematical relationship between acceleration \(a(t)\) and a position function \(s(t)\).

Hints

- Average acceleration is the average rate of change of velocity over an interval. - Distinguish an average rate from an instantaneous rate. - Acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity. - Relate velocity to position, then differentiate once more.

Solution

1. Compute the endpoint velocities: \(v(2)=6\,\text{m/s}\) and \(v(4)=16\,\text{m/s}\). The average acceleration is \(\frac{v(4)-v(2)}{4-2}=\frac{16-6}{2}=5\,\text{m/s}^2\). 2. Differentiate velocity: \(a(t)=v'(t)=t+2\). Thus \(a(2)=4\,\text{m/s}^2\). 3. Velocity is the first derivative of position, \(v(t)=s'(t)\), and acceleration is the derivative of velocity. Therefore, \(a(t)=s''(t)\).

Answer

1) \(5\,\text{m/s}^2\) 2) \(4\,\text{m/s}^2\) 3) \(a(t)=s''(t)\)
Straight-line motion 27
The position of an object is \(s(t)=t^3-6t^2+12t\), where \(s\) is measured in meters and \(t\) in seconds. 1) Find the instantaneous velocity function \(v(t)\). 2) Find the instantaneous acceleration function \(a(t)\). 3) Find the time when the acceleration is \(0\,\text{m/s}^2\). 4) Find the average acceleration on \([1,3]\) and compare it with the instantaneous acceleration at \(t=2\,\text{s}\).

Hints

- Position, velocity, and acceleration are connected by successive derivatives. - Zero acceleration means the acceleration function equals \(0\). - Use a difference quotient of velocity to find average acceleration. - Consider why a linear acceleration function has its midpoint value equal to its average over a symmetric interval.

Solution

1. Differentiate position: \(v(t)=s'(t)=3t^2-12t+12\). 2. Differentiate velocity: \(a(t)=v'(t)=6t-12\). 3. Solve \(6t-12=0\), giving \(t=2\,\text{s}\). 4. The endpoint velocities are \(v(1)=3\,\text{m/s}\) and \(v(3)=3\,\text{m/s}\). Thus the average acceleration is \(\frac{v(3)-v(1)}{3-1}=0\,\text{m/s}^2\). Also, \(a(2)=0\,\text{m/s}^2\), so the two values are equal.

Answer

1) \(v(t)=3t^2-12t+12\) 2) \(a(t)=6t-12\) 3) \(t=2\,\text{s}\) 4) The average acceleration is \(0\,\text{m/s}^2\), equal to \(a(2)\).
Straight-line motion 28
An autonomous test vehicle moves along a straight track. For the first \(10\) seconds, its position, in feet, is modeled by \(s(t)=-0.5t^3+9t^2\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds. a) Find the velocity function \(v(t)\) and the vehicle's velocity at \(t=4\,\text{s}\). b) When does the vehicle reach its maximum velocity? Justify using the sign of acceleration. c) Find the maximum velocity in feet per second and miles per hour.

Hints

- Velocity is the derivative of position, and acceleration is the derivative of velocity. - Find where acceleration changes sign within the modeled interval. - What does positive acceleration do to velocity? What does negative acceleration do to velocity? - Use \(5280\,\text{ft}=1\,\text{mi}\) and \(3600\,\text{s}=1\,\text{h}\) for the final conversion.

Solution

1. Differentiate position: \(v(t)=s'(t)=-1.5t^2+18t\). 2. Evaluate \(v(4)=-1.5(4^2)+18(4)=48\,\text{ft/s}\). 3. Acceleration is \(a(t)=v'(t)=-3t+18\). Solving \(a(t)=0\) gives \(t=6\,\text{s}\). 4. For \(0\le t<6\), \(a(t)>0\), so velocity is increasing. For \(6<t\le10\), \(a(t)<0\), so velocity is decreasing. Therefore, velocity is greatest at \(t=6\,\text{s}\). 5. Evaluate \(v(6)=54\,\text{ft/s}\). Convert units: \(54\cdot\frac{3600}{5280}\approx36.82\,\text{mph}\).

Answer

a) \(v(t)=-1.5t^2+18t\); \(v(4)=48\,\text{ft/s}\) b) \(t=6\,\text{s}\) c) \(54\,\text{ft/s}\approx36.82\,\text{mph}\)
Straight-line motion 29
A bicyclist moves forward along a straight path. The graph shows the bicyclist's signed velocity \(v\) as a function of time \(t\), measured in seconds. Because \(v(t)\ge0\) on the shown interval, the bicyclist's speed equals \(v(t)\). a) When does the bicyclist reach maximum speed, and what is that speed? b) Estimate the acceleration at \(t=10\,\text{s}\). c) Compare the accelerations at \(t=5\,\text{s}\) and \(t=25\,\text{s}\). What does each sign indicate about the bicyclist's motion?
Figure for problem 534180

Hints

- Acceleration is the derivative of signed velocity with respect to time. - Because the displayed velocity never becomes negative, its magnitude is also the speed. - Estimate acceleration from the tangent slope of the velocity graph at the requested time. - To decide speeding up or slowing down, compare the signs of velocity and acceleration.

Solution

1. The highest point on the velocity graph occurs at \(t=20\,\text{s}\), where \(v=10\,\text{m/s}\). Since the velocity is nonnegative, this is also the maximum speed. 2. Acceleration is the tangent slope of the velocity graph. At \(t=10\,\text{s}\), the slope is approximately \(0.75\,\text{m/s}^2\). 3. At \(t=5\,\text{s}\), the slope is approximately \(0.56\,\text{m/s}^2\). The positive acceleration and positive velocity mean the bicyclist is speeding up. 4. At \(t=25\,\text{s}\), the slope is approximately \(-0.94\,\text{m/s}^2\). The negative acceleration and positive velocity mean the bicyclist is slowing down.

Answer

a) At \(t=20\,\text{s}\), with a maximum speed of \(10\,\text{m/s}\) b) Approximately \(0.75\,\text{m/s}^2\) c) At \(5\,\text{s}\), \(a\approx0.56\,\text{m/s}^2\), so the bicyclist is speeding up. At \(25\,\text{s}\), \(a\approx-0.94\,\text{m/s}^2\), so the bicyclist is slowing down.
Straight-line motion 30
A car travels along a straight track. Which curve in panel b) shows the acceleration for the velocity in panel a)? Explain using where acceleration is zero and where it is positive or negative.
Figure for problem 534222

Hints

- Where does the velocity graph have horizontal tangents? - How should the sign of acceleration compare with the direction in which velocity is changing? - Check both the zeros and the signs before choosing a candidate.

Solution

1. Acceleration is \(a(t)=v'(t)\). The velocity graph has horizontal tangents at \(t=2\), \(t=6\), and \(t=10\), so acceleration is zero at those times. 2. Candidate r has different zeros. Candidates p and q have the right zeros but opposite signs. 3. Velocity is increasing near \(t=0\), so acceleration must be positive there. Only candidate q matches both conditions.

Answer

Candidate q. Acceleration is zero at \(t=2,6,10\), positive when velocity increases, and negative when velocity decreases.
Straight-line motion 31
The graphs of functions \(f\), \(g\), and \(h\) describe an object moving for \(8\,\text{s}\). One graph represents position \(s(t)\) in meters, one represents velocity \(v(t)\) in meters per second, and one represents acceleration \(a(t)\) in meters per second squared. Match each graph to the correct quantity. Justify your answer using relationships such as extrema and zeros.
Figure for problem 534439

Hints

- Velocity is the derivative of position, and acceleration is the derivative of velocity. - At a local maximum or minimum of a function, its derivative is zero. - Compare where one graph increases or decreases with the sign of a possible derivative graph. - Differentiating a cubic produces a quadratic, and differentiating a quadratic produces a linear function.

Solution

1. For straight-line motion, \(s^{\prime}(t)=v(t)\) and \(v^{\prime}(t)=a(t)\). 2. Graph \(h\) has a local maximum at \(t=2\) and a local minimum at \(t=6\). Graph \(g\) is zero at those same times, and its sign agrees with when \(h\) increases or decreases. Therefore, \(g=h^{\prime}\), so \(h\) is position and \(g\) is velocity. 3. Graph \(g\) has a local minimum at \(t=4\). Graph \(f\) is zero at \(t=4\), and its sign agrees with when \(g\) decreases or increases. Therefore, \(f=g^{\prime}\), so \(f\) is acceleration.

Answer

Graph \(h\): position \(s(t)\); Graph \(g\): velocity \(v(t)\); Graph \(f\): acceleration \(a(t)\)
Straight-line motion 32
A research drone is flying above the ground. a) Estimate the height at \(t=10\,\text{s}\). About when is the drone at least \(40\,\text{m}\) above the ground? Give times to the nearest whole second. b) Estimate the drone's vertical velocity at \(t=10\,\text{s}\). c) The equation \(h(t+10)=h(t)+15\) says the drone rises \(15\,\text{m}\) during the next \(10\) seconds. Does the graph support this equation at \(t=10\)? Explain.
Figure for problem 534902

Hints

- Read the graph's height at the requested time and the two crossings of the given height. - A vertical velocity is the slope of the height graph at one instant. - Compare the graph's heights at times \(10\) seconds apart.

Solution

1. At \(t=10\), the graph gives a height of about \(45\,\text{m}\). It crosses \(40\,\text{m}\) near \(t=8\,\text{s}\) and \(t=29\,\text{s}\), so the drone is at least \(40\,\text{m}\) high between those times, approximately. 2. The tangent slope near \(t=10\) is about \(2.5\,\text{m/s}\), so the drone is rising at about that speed. 3. At \(t=10\) and \(t=20\), the graph gives heights of about \(45\,\text{m}\) and \(60\,\text{m}\). The estimated increase is \(15\,\text{m}\), consistent with the equation.

Answer

a) About \(45\,\text{m}\); approximately from \(t=8\,\text{s}\) to \(t=29\,\text{s}\). b) About \(2.5\,\text{m/s}\) upward. c) Yes, approximately. The graph suggests a rise from \(45\,\text{m}\) to \(60\,\text{m}\) in \(10\) seconds.
Straight-line motion 33
A particle moves along a straight line. Its positions are \(s(0)=2\,\text{m}\), \(s(2)=7\,\text{m}\), \(s(5)=-1\,\text{m}\), and \(s(7)=4\,\text{m}\). Its velocity is positive on \((0,2)\), negative on \((2,5)\), and positive on \((5,7)\), so it does not reverse direction inside any of those intervals. Find the particle's displacement and total distance traveled from \(t=0\) to \(t=7\). Explain why the two answers differ.

Hints

- Displacement uses only final position minus initial position. - Use the stated velocity signs to know that no hidden reversal occurs inside each interval. - For total distance, add the absolute position changes across the three intervals.

Solution

1. Displacement depends only on the final and initial positions: \(s(7)-s(0)=4-2=2\,\text{m}\). 2. Because direction is constant on each stated interval, the distance on \([0,2]\) is \(|7-2|=5\,\text{m}\), on \([2,5]\) it is \(|-1-7|=8\,\text{m}\), and on \([5,7]\) it is \(|4-(-1)|=5\,\text{m}\). 3. Total distance is \(5+8+5=18\,\text{m}\). 4. Displacement records the net change in position, while total distance adds the lengths traveled in each direction.

Answer

Displacement: \(2\,\text{m}\). Total distance traveled: \(18\,\text{m}\). They differ because displacement is net position change, while distance counts all motion regardless of direction.

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