Newton’s Laws of Motion |
|
Derivatives
(1) (2) (3) |
We consider the acceleration, a, to
be a constant. We like to get three differential equations. Acceleration is the rate of change
of velocity, that is, the derivative of velocity with respect to time. Velocity is the rate of change of
distance x, or the first derivative of distance with respect of time. We can use the Chain rule for getting the differential equation (3). |
From (1), we get: dv = a dt On integrating both sides,
we get: \ v – u = at \ v = u + at (4) |
In the definite integral on L.H.S.,
the lower limit, u, is the initial velocity and the upper limit, v, is the
final velocity. And on the R.H.S., the upper limit, t, is the total time the
particle traveled and the initial time is t = 0. Equation (4) is the First law
of motion. |
From (2) and (4), we get: dx = (u + at) dt On integrating both sides,
we get: \ \ (5) |
The upper limit of the left integral,
s, is the total distance the particle traveled. The initial distance is zero. The upper limit of the right
integral is the total time. u and a are constants here. Equation (5) is the Second law
of motion. |
From (3) above, v dv = a
dx On integrating both sides,
we get: \ (6) |
On the L.H.S., the upper limit, v,
is the finial velocity and the lower limit, u, is the initial velocity. Equation (6) is the Third law
of motion. |
Note
(1) The acceleration, a, is
considered to be constant. In general this is not the case. If acceleration is
not constant, the Laws of motion (4), (5) and (6) do NOT hold. (2) We use Definite
Integrations in getting the results. You can also use Indefinite
Integrations. But
then you have to handle the integrating constants generated using initial
conditions. |