Particle Motion Analysis

00:00 14 marks

  • Build Confidence

A particle moves along a straight line. Its velocity, \(v(t) = t^3 – 8t^2 + 15t\) m s\(^{-1}\), at time \(t\) seconds is given for \(t \ge 0\).

(a) Find the times when the particle is instantaneously at rest. [3]
(b) Find the acceleration of the particle when \(t = 4\) seconds. [3]
(c) Find the displacement of the particle from its initial position after the first 6 seconds. [3]
(d) Find the total distance travelled by the particle in the first 6 seconds. [5]

Part a

5 minutes 3 marks

Question

Find the times when the particle is instantaneously at rest. [3]



Hint Hint

Hint

Factor the velocity function \(v(t) = t^3 – 8t^2 + 15t\) and solve \(v(t)=0\).

  • Answer Answer
  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Explanation Explanation
  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

\(t = 0, 3, 5\) seconds

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Part b

5 minutes 3 marks

Question

Find the acceleration of the particle when \(t = 4\) seconds. [3]



Hint Hint

Hint

Differentiate \(v(t)= t^3 – 8t^2 + 15t\) to find \(a(t)\) and substitute \(t = 4\).

  • Answer Answer
  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Explanation Explanation
  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

\(a(4) = -1 \; m\,s^{-2}\)

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Part c

5 minutes 3 marks

Question

Find the displacement of the particle from its initial position after the first 6 seconds. [3]



Hint Hint

Hint

Integrate the velocity function \(v(t)\) from \(t=0\) to \(t=6\).

  • Answer Answer
  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Explanation Explanation
  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

\(s = -18 \; m\)

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Part d

10 minutes 5 marks

Question

Find the total distance travelled by the particle in the first 6 seconds. [5]



Hint Hint

Hint

Determine where \(v(t)\) changes sign (using the zeros) and integrate the absolute value of \(v(t)\) over each interval.

  • Answer Answer
  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Explanation Explanation
  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

\(24 \; m\)

  • Mark Scheme Mark Scheme
  • Answer Explanation Answer Explanation

Math Editor

Report Question


Please enter keywords