Calculus 1 : Spatial Calculus

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #281 : Acceleration

The position of a certain point is given by the following function:

\(\displaystyle p(t)= -\cos t + \sin(t) - 45e^t + 5t^2\)

What is the acceleration at \(\displaystyle t=0\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 58\)

\(\displaystyle 4.4\)

\(\displaystyle -34\)

\(\displaystyle 342\)

\(\displaystyle 4.7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -34\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you must first find the derivative of the position function which gives us the velocity function and then the derivative of the velocity function which gives us the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)= v'(t)= a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= -\cos t + \sin t - 45e^t + 5t^2\)

The velocity function is found by taking the derivative of the position function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= \sin t + \cos t - 45e^t + 10t\)

The acceleration function is found by taking the derivative of the velocity function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= \cos t - \sin t - 45e^t + 10\)

Finally, to find the accelaration, substitute \(\displaystyle t=0\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(0)= \cos (0) - \sin (0) - 45e^{(0)} + 10\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle -34\)

Example Question #291 : Acceleration

The position of a certain point is given by the following function:

\(\displaystyle p(t)= 2t^{\frac{1}{2}} + 3e^t +4\)

What is the acceleration at \(\displaystyle t=4\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 342\)

\(\displaystyle 160\)

\(\displaystyle 163.7\)

\(\displaystyle 170.2\)

\(\displaystyle 165.8\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 163.7\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you must first find the derivative of the position function which gives us the velocity function and then the derivative of the velocity function which gives us the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)= v'(t)= a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= 2t^{\frac{1}{2}} + 3e^t +4\)

The velocity function is found by taking the derivative of the position function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= t^{-\frac{1}{2}} + 3e^t\)

The acceleration function is found by taking the derivative of the velocity function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= {-\frac{1}{2}}t^{(-\frac{3}{2})} + 3e^t\)

Finally, to find the accelaration, substitute \(\displaystyle t=4\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(4)= {-\frac{1}{2}}(4)^{(-\frac{3}{2})} + 3e^{(4)}\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle 163.7\)

Example Question #681 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=2\) is given by the following function: \(\displaystyle p(t) = (t-4)^3\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -12\)

\(\displaystyle -1\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Answer not listed

\(\displaystyle 12\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -12\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t) = (t-4)^3\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t) = 3(t-4)^2\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t) = 6(t-4)\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 2\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(2) = 6({\color{Blue} 2}-4)\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle -12\)

Example Question #682 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=1\) is given by the following function: 

\(\displaystyle p(t)= ln(2t)\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

Answer not listed

\(\displaystyle -1\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle 11\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -1\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t) = (t-4)^3\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= \frac{1}{t}\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= -\frac{1}{t^2}\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 1\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(1)= -\frac{1}{{\color{Blue} 1}^2}\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle -1\)

Example Question #683 : Calculus

A rocket begins at rest, and then begins to accelerate upwards at a constant rate. After 5 seconds, it has travelled 150 meters. How fast is it accelerating?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 60\,m/s^2\)

\(\displaystyle 12 \,m/s^2\)

\(\displaystyle 6\,m/s^2\)

\(\displaystyle 30\,m/s^2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 12 \,m/s^2\)

Explanation:

We'll need to first figure out how to express the rocket's position in terms of its acceleration, \(\displaystyle a\). This will give us an equation we can solve for \(\displaystyle a\).

The rocket begins at rest, so 

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*} p_0&=0\,m \\ v_0 &= 0\,m/s\end{align*}\)

Initial and final time are given as 

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*} t_i &=0\,s \\ t_f &= 5\,s \end{align*}\)

We're also given that

\(\displaystyle p(5)=150\,m\)

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, which is the rate of change in position, so to find the equation for position, we'll ned to integrate and use initial conditions twice. 

\(\displaystyle \int a(t)dt=\int a\,dt\)

To integrate, we use the following rule:

\(\displaystyle \int a\,dt = ax+C\)

To solve for C, we'll use our initial condition, \(\displaystyle v(0)=0\).

\(\displaystyle \\ v(0)=a(0)+C=0 \\ C=0 \\ v(t)=at\)

We'll need to integrate again to find position:

\(\displaystyle \int v(t)=\int at \, dt\)

using the following rule:

\(\displaystyle \int x^n\,dx=\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}+C\)

Remember, when integrating we have to add the constant, C, to indicate that there's multiple functions that could be our answer.

Integrating then gives us:

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*} \int v(t)\,dt &= \int at\,dt \\ &=\frac{at^2}{2}+C \\ &=\frac{a}{2}t^2+C \end{align*}\)

To solve for C, we'll use our initial condition, \(\displaystyle p(0)=0\).

\(\displaystyle \\ p(0)=\frac{a}{2}(0^2)+C=0 \\ C=0 \\ p(t)=\frac{a}{2}t^2\)

 

Now, we know that \(\displaystyle p(5)=150\), so we can solve for \(\displaystyle a\).

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{a}{2}(5^2) &=150\\ 25a &= 300 \\ a &= 12\,m/s^2 \end{align*}\)

Example Question #684 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=1\) is given by the following function: 

\(\displaystyle p(t)= e^{3t}\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 180.8\)

\(\displaystyle 412.8\)

Answer not listed

\(\displaystyle 12.7\)

\(\displaystyle 327.5\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 180.8\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= e^{3t}\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= 3e^{3t}\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= 9e^{3t}\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 1\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(1)= 9e^{3({\color{Blue} 1})}\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle 180.8\)

Example Question #685 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=0\) is given by the following function: 

\(\displaystyle p(t)= \sin(3t^2)\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

Answer not listed

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= \sin(3t^2)\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t)=6t \cos(3t^2)\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t)=6 \cos(3t^2) - 36t^2\sin(3t^2)\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 0\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(0)=6 \cos(3({\color{Blue} 0})^2) - 36({\color{Blue} 0})^2\sin(3({\color{Blue} 0})^2)\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle 6\)

Example Question #686 : Calculus

If the position of a particle is given by \(\displaystyle p(t)=\sin t \cos t\), find the equation for its acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a(t)= -4\sin t\cos t\)

\(\displaystyle a(t)= 0\)

\(\displaystyle a(t)=-2\)

\(\displaystyle a(t)=4\sin t\cos t\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle a(t)= -4\sin t\cos t\)

Explanation:

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, which is the rate of change in position, so to answer this question, we'll need to differentiate this equation twice. First, we find the velocity, by applying the product rule

\(\displaystyle (fg)'=(f'g)+(fg')\)

This gives us:

 \(\displaystyle \begin{align*}v(t)&=(\sin t \cos t)'\\&= (\cos t \cdot \cos t)+(\sin t\cdot -\sin t)\\&= \cos^2 t-\sin^2 t\end{align*}\)

Differentiating that using the chain rule

\(\displaystyle (f(g(t)))'=g'(t)f'(g(t))\)

 on each term gives us

\(\displaystyle \begin{align*} a(t)& =(\cos^2 t)'-(\sin^2 t)'\\ &=(-\sin t)(2\cos t)-(\cos t)(2\sin t)\\&=-4\sin t\cos t\end{align*}\)

Example Question #687 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=1\) is given by the following function: 

\(\displaystyle p(t)= 2t^4 + cos(t^2) - ln(2t)\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 12.4\)

Answer not listed

\(\displaystyle 27.4\)

\(\displaystyle 25.5\)

\(\displaystyle 45.9\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 25.5\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= 2t^4 + cos(t^2) - ln(2t)\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= 8t^3 - 2t\sin(t^2) - \frac{1}{t}\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= 24t^2 - 2\sin(t^2) + 4t^2\cos(t^2) + \frac{1}{t^2}\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 1\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(1)= 24({\color{Blue} 1})^2 - 2\sin({\color{Blue} 1}^2) + 4({\color{Blue} 1})^2\cos({\color{Blue} 1}^2) + \frac{1}{{\color{Blue} 1}^2}\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle 25.5\)

Example Question #688 : Calculus

The position of \(\displaystyle t=1\) is given by the following function: 

\(\displaystyle p(t)= e^{2t} + \frac{1}{ln(2t)}\)

Find the acceleration.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 53.5\)

\(\displaystyle 32.7\)

\(\displaystyle 37.6\)

\(\displaystyle 72.8\)

Answer not listed

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 37.6\)

Explanation:

In order to find the acceleration of a certain point, you first find the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function. Then find the derivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle p''(t)=v'(t) = a(t)\)

In this case, the position function is: \(\displaystyle p(t)= e^{2t} + \frac{1}{ln(2t)}\)

Then take the derivative of the position function to get the velocity function: \(\displaystyle v(t)= 2e^{2t} - \frac{1}{t ln^2(2t)}\)

Then take the dervivative of the velocity function to get the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(t)= 4e^{2t} + \frac{1}{t^2 ln^2(2t)} + \frac{2}{t^2ln^3(2t)}\)

Then, plug \(\displaystyle t= 1\) into the acceleration function: \(\displaystyle a(1)= 4e^{2({\color{Blue} 1})} + \frac{1}{{\color{Blue} 1}^2 ln^2(2({\color{Blue} 1}))} + \frac{2}{{\color{Blue} 1}^2ln^3(2({\color{Blue} 1}))}\)

Therefore, the answer is: \(\displaystyle 37.6\)

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