Expert: Paul Klarreich - 4/30/2008

Question
A particle moving along the x-axis has acceleration a(t)=6t-2 in m/s^2 for time t>0. If the particle starts at the point x=1 moving to the left with an initial speed of 5m/s, find A)its velocity as a function of time B) when is its velocity zero
don't know where to begin.

Answer
Questioner:   Joy
Category:  Calculus
Private:  No
 
Subject:  Acceleration,position,velocity
Question:  A particle moving along the x-axis has acceleration a(t)=6t-2 in m/s^2 for time t>0. If the particle starts at the point x=1 moving to the left with an initial speed of 5m/s, find A)its velocity as a function of time B) when is its velocity zero
don't know where to begin.
..........................................
Hi, Joy,

If you have a(t), then integrate to get v(t).  Of course you will need a constant of integration.  You will find that by substituting your value of -5 at t = 0.

Finally, solve v(t) = 0 for the answer to B.