Question

a particle of mass m sits at rest at x = 0. At time t = 0 a force given by F = Fe^(-t/T) is applied in the +x direction; F and T are constants. When t = T the force is removed. At this instant when the force is removed, (a) what is the speed of the particle and (b) where is it?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Given:$F=m\ddot{x}=Fe^{-\frac{t}{T}}$

Solving for $\ddot{x}$:

$\ddot{x}=\frac{F}{m}e^{-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m} } t}$

where:

$T=\sqrt{\frac{m}{F}}$

Integrating to get $\dot{x}$ with initial conditions $\dot{x}(0)=0$:

$\dot{x}=\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}} e^{-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}} t}$

Integrating to get x with initial conditions x(0) = 0:

$x=-1+\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}} t+e^{-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}t}$

When t=T:

$x=-1+\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}\sqrt{\frac{m}{F}}+e^{-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}\sqrt{\frac{m}{F}}}=\frac{1}{e}$

$\dot{x}=\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}} e^{-\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}\sqrt{\frac{m}{F}}}=\sqrt{\frac{F}{m}}(1-\frac{1}{e})$