What is the average speed of an object that is still at t=0 and accelerates at a rate of a(t) =t-3 from t in [3, 6]?

2 Answers
Apr 24, 2016

v_a=-3 " unit/s"

Explanation:

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v(t)=int(t-3)*d t" "v(t)=t^2/2-3t

x(t)=int v(t)*d t" "x(t)=int (t^2/2-3t)*d t

x(t)=1/2*t^3/3-3t^2/2" "x(t)=t^3/6-(3t^2)/2

"for position t=3 -> x(3)=-9 unit"

"for position t=6 ->x(6)=-18 unit"

v_a=tan alpha

v_a=(-18+9)/(6-3)

v_a=-9/3

v_a=-3 " unit/s"

Apr 25, 2016

"Average speed"=-3 " units"
-ve sign indicates that speed is opposite to the defined positive direction of displacement.

Explanation:

Given acceleration a(t)=t-3. We know that a=x'', therefore, to find distance moved during the period of interest x=int int a(t).dt.dt over the period of interest
(First integral will give us the velocity in terms of time.) Inserting given values.

x=int int(t-3).dt.dt
=int_3^6(t^2/2-3t+C).dt .....(1), where C is constant of integration.
We need to evaluate C from initial conditions
Velocity v(t)=t^2/2-3t+C
Now v(0)=0^2/2-3xx0+C=0, initial condition
or C=0
Inserting in (1)

x=int_3^6(t^2/2-3t).dt
x=|t^3/6-3 t^2/2|_3^6, constant of integration ignored due to definite integral

=(6^3/6-3xx 6^2/2)-(3^3/6-3 xx3^2/2)
=36-54-9/2+27/2
=-9,
We know that "Average speed"=("Total Displacement")/"Time Taken"
"Average speed"=-9/(6-3)
"Average speed"=-3