10. Physics Applications of Integrals

9–10. Velocity graphs The figures show velocity functions for motion along a line. Assume the motion begins with an initial position of s(0)=0. Determine the following.

c. The position at t=5

Displacement from velocity A particle moves along a line with a velocity given by v(t) = 5 sin πt, starting with an initial position s(0) = 0 . Find the displacement of the particle between t = 0 and t = 2 , which is given by s(t) = ∫₀² v(t) dt . Find the distance traveled by the particle during this interval, which is ∫₀² |v(t)| dt .

Position, displacement, and distance A projectile is launched vertically from the ground at t=0, and its velocity in flight (in m/s) is given by v(t)=20−10t. Find the position, displacement, and distance traveled after t seconds, for 0≤t≤4.

Piecewise velocity The velocity of a (fast) automobile on a straight highway is given by the function

$v(t)= \(\begin{cases}\)3 t & \(\text\) { if } 0 \(\leq\) t<20 \\ 60 & \(\text\) { if } 20 \(\leq\) t<45 \\ 240-4 t & \(\text\) { if } t \(\geq\) 45\(\end{cases}\)$

where is measured in seconds and v has units of m/s. 

d. What is the position of the automobile when t=75?

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.

b. When the velocity is positive on an interval, the displacement and the distance traveled on that interval are equal.

Finding displacement from an antiderivative of velocity

a. Suppose that the velocity of a body moving along the s-axis is

ds/dt = v = 9.8t − 3.

iii. Now find the body’s displacement from t = 1 to t = 3 given that s = s₀ when t = 0.

A running model A model for the startup of a runner in a short race results in the velocity function v(t) = a(1 - e⁻ᵗ/ᶜ), where a and c are positive constants, t is measured in seconds, and v has units of m/s. (Source: Joe Keller, A Theory of Competitive Running, Physics Today, 26, Sep 1973)

b. Using the velocity in part (a) and assuming s(0) = 0, find the position function s(t), for t ≥ 0.

94. [Use of Tech] Skydiving A skydiver has a downward velocity given by v(t) = V_T [(1 - e^(-2gt/V_T))/(1 + e^(-2gt/V_T))],

where t = 0 is the instant the skydiver starts falling, g = 9.8 m/s² is the acceleration due to gravity, and V_T is the terminal velocity of the skydiver.

c. Verify by integration that the position function is given by

s(t) = V_T t + (V_T²/g) ln[(1 + e^(-2gt/V_T))/2],

where s'(t) = v(t) and s(0) = 0.

Acceleration A drag racer accelerates at a(t)=88 ft/s². Assume v(0)=0, s(0)=0, and t is measured in seconds.

d. How long does it take the racer to travel 300 ft?

Flow rates in the Spokane River The daily discharge of the Spokane River as it flows through Spokane, Washington, in April and June is modeled by the functions

r1(t) = 0.25t²+37.46t+722.47 (April) and

r2(t) = 0.90t²−69.06t+2053.12 (June), where the discharge is measured in millions of cubic feet per day, and t=0 corresponds to the beginning of the first day of the month (see figure).

c. The Spokane River flows out of Lake Coeur d’Alene, which contains approximately 0.67mi³ of water. Determine the percentage of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s volume that flows through Spokane in April and June.

Fuel consumption A small plane in flight consumes fuel at a rate (in gal/min) given by

R'(t) ={ 4t^{1/3} if 0 ≤ t ≤ 8 (take-off)

2 if t> 0 (cruising)

a. Find a function R that gives the total fuel consumed, for 0≤t≤8.

A rock is thrown from a height of $2\(\operatorname{ft}\)$ with an initial speed of $25\(\operatorname{ft}\)$/$s$. Acceleration resulting from gravity is $-32\(\operatorname{ft}\)$/$s^2$.

Find $s\left(t\right)$

Bike race Theo and Sasha start at the same place on a straight road, riding bikes with the following velocities (measured in mi/hr). Assume t is measured in hours.

Theo: vT(t)=10, for t≥0

Sasha: vS(t)=15t, for 0≤t≤1, and vS(t)=15, for t>1

a. Graph the velocity function for both riders. 

Blood flow A typical human heart pumps 70 mL of blood (the stroke volume) with each beat. Assuming a heart rate of 60 beats/min (1 beat/s), a reasonable model for the outflow rate of the heart is V′(t)=70(1+sin 2πt), where V(t) is the amount of blood (in milliliters) pumped over the interval [0,t],V(0)=0 and t is measured in seconds.

c. What is the cardiac output over a period of 1 min? (Use calculus; then check your answer with algebra.)

13–16. Displacement from velocity Consider an object moving along a line with the given velocity v. Assume time t is measured in seconds and velocities have units of m/s.

b. Find the displacement over the given interval. 

v(t) = 50e^−2t on [0, 4]