Lectures on Physics has been derived from Benjamin Crowell's Light and Matter series of free introductory textbooks on physics. See the editorial for more information.... |
Home Newtonian Physics Vectors and Motion Examples The integral of a vector | |||||
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The integral of a vectorStarting from rest, a flying saucer of mass m is observed to vary its propulsion with mathematical precision according to the equation
(The aliens inform us that the numbers 42 and 137 have a special religious significance for them.) Find the saucer's velocity as a function of time. From the given force, we can easily find the acceleration
The velocity vector v is the integral with respect to time of the acceleration,
and integrating component by component gives
where we have omitted the constants of integration, since the saucer was starting from rest.
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