My Math Forum particle accelerating

 Applied Math Applied Math Forum

 December 9th, 2016, 09:08 AM #1 Member   Joined: May 2016 From: Ireland Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 particle accelerating a train accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed v m/s with uniform acceleration a m/s^2 it then decelerates uniformly to rest with uniform retardation 3a m/s^2. the total distance travelled is s metres. if the average speed for the whole journey is square root (s/2) find the value of a. does anyone know how to work this out using uvast equations i also used the forumula a/d = t2/t1 i got t2=t1*a/3 and t1=3t2/a and i got the max speed =3t2 cause v/a=3t2a
December 9th, 2016, 10:13 AM   #2
Math Team

Joined: Jul 2011
From: Texas

Posts: 2,546
Thanks: 1259

sometimes it helps to sketch a velocity vs time graph ... (see attached)

acceleration to max velocity takes three times longer than the slow-down back to v = 0

let $3t$ = speed up time; $t$ = slow-down time

$s = \dfrac{a}{2}(3t)^2 + \dfrac{3a}{2}t^2 = 6at^2$

$\bar{v} = \dfrac{s}{4t} = \sqrt{\dfrac{s}{2}} \implies s = 8t^2$

$6at^2 = 8t^2 \implies a = \dfrac{4}{3} \, m/s^2$
Attached Images
 vel_time_graph.jpg (10.0 KB, 1 views)

 December 9th, 2016, 02:06 PM #3 Member   Joined: May 2016 From: Ireland Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 can you explain to me how you calculated the distance travelled during the acceleration and the deacceleration Last edited by markosheehan; December 9th, 2016 at 02:09 PM. Reason: personal
 December 9th, 2016, 02:10 PM #4 Member   Joined: May 2016 From: Ireland Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 i understand it now thanks v much spent hours trying to work it out
 December 9th, 2016, 02:13 PM #5 Math Team   Joined: Jul 2011 From: Texas Posts: 2,546 Thanks: 1259 during acceleration ... $\Delta x = v_0 \cdot t + \dfrac{1}{2}at^2$ $\Delta x_1 = 0 \cdot (3t) + \dfrac{1}{2}a(3t)^2 = \dfrac{9}{2}at^2$ during deceleration ... $\Delta x = v_f \cdot t - \dfrac{1}{2}at^2$ $\Delta x_2 = 0 \cdot t - \dfrac{1}{2}(-3a)t^2 = \dfrac{3}{2}at^2$ $s = \Delta x_1 + \Delta x_2$

 Tags accelerating, particle

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post markosheehan Applied Math 2 December 9th, 2016 09:00 AM Rahul k New Users 3 May 22nd, 2015 06:47 PM Kinroh Physics 10 October 30th, 2014 08:36 PM fran1942 Calculus 1 April 2nd, 2012 06:44 PM newton Physics 5 February 5th, 2007 07:56 AM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top