Question

5.

An object has a constant acceleration of 40 ft/sec2, an initial velocity of -20 ft/sec, and an initial position of 10 ft. Find the position function, s(t), describing the motion of the object. (10 points)

Answer 1

You can solve for the velocity and position functions by integrating using the fundamental theorem of calculus:

a(t) = 40 ft/s²

v(t) = v (0) + ∫₀ᵗ a(u) du

v(t) = -20 ft/s + ∫₀ᵗ (40 ft/s²) du

v(t) = -20 ft/s + (40 ft/s²) t

s(t) = s (0) + ∫₀ᵗ v(u) du

s(t) = 10 ft + ∫₀ᵗ (-20 ft/s + (40 ft/s²) u ) du

s(t) = 10 ft + (-20 ft/s) t + 1/2 (40 ft/s²) t ²

s(t) = 10 ft - (20 ft/s) t + (20 ft/s²) t ²