Ask your own question, for FREE!
Physics 61 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Hello Everyone!! In Physics I'm good with Diffrentiations and Integrations but I don't know when to apply them in a problem... Can Anyone give me that clear idea about that.. Please???

OpenStudy (anonymous):

What kind of calculus are you good at, exactly? Single variable? :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Yea... I am..... But Please give me idea about when to appy these both things in a Physics problem!!

OpenStudy (anonymous):

How about this.... the acceleration of an object is the second-derivative of the position function with respect to time, i.e. \[ a(t) = x''(t) \] let's say a(t) = 0. What is x''(t)? You'll need two unknown constants for this.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

oops, what is x(t), not x''(t) :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks!!! :-D

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Oh my goodness I'm sorry. let's say a(t) = a0, a constant :) Can you integrate the equation twice to find the answer?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

And to better answer your question... calculus is important in basic physics because you better understand concepts like velocity (which is the derivative of position wrt time). The really important applications of calculus to physics come when you learn multivariable calculus and vector calculus, which unfortunately will probably take quite a while but since our world is (ostensibly... ;) ) 3-dimensional, single-dimensional calculus applications are comparatively rare.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

If you have some conservative force, like gravity or the spring force or the electrostatic force, then \[ F = -\frac{d}{dx} U\] where U is the associated potential energy.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks!! :-D

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!