A particle moves long a straight line so that at time t≥0 its acceleration is given by the function a(t)=4t. At time t=0, the velocity
of the particle is 4 and the position of the particle is 1. Which of the following is an expression for the position of the particle at time t≥0?
We can integrate the acceleration equation with respect to time to obtain the velocity equation.
v(t)=∫a(t) dt
v(t)=∫4t dt
v(t)=2t2+C
Using our initial condition:
v(0)=4
4=2(0)2+C
4=C
v(t)=2t2+4
Integrate again to obtain the position equation.
s(t)=∫v(t) dt
s(t)=∫2t2+4 dt
s(t)=32t3+4t+C
Using our initial condition:
s(0)=1
1=32(0)3+4(0)+C
1=C
s(t)=32t3+4t+1