RECTILINEAR AND CURVILINEAR MOTION

HIGHER ORDER DERIVATIVES

RECTILINEAR MOTION

 One of the major reasons calculus was invented was the study of motion. Scientists

and engineers were interested in being able to calculate not only the average velocity
of an object, but also its instantaneous velocity. In fact, Newton’s calculus was very
motion-oriented and the analysis of motion was one of his prime interests. This
emphasis on motion can even be seen in his choice of terms. Newton termed changing
quantities fluent and their rates of change fluxions. A fluxion is very close to what we
now call a derivative. The study of rectilinear motion is, then, a classic application of
calculus.
IN THEOREM:

 POSITION FUNCTION:

 VELOCITY FUNCTION:

 ACCELARATION FUNCTION:

 SPEED:
HIGHER – ORDER DERIVATIVES

 Taking higher – order derivatives is just taking the derivatives of a

derivative.
SOLVE FOR THE SECOND ORDER DERIVATIVE OF THE GIVEN
FUNCTION
PROBLEM 1

 The position of a function of a particle is given by

where is in meters and is in seconds. Find the following:

 The velocity function and the acceleration function of the particle

 The position, velocity and acceleration of the particle at

POSITION FUNCTION FOR PROJECTILE MOTION

Where:
PROBLEM 2

 Free-falling bodies: A ball is dropped from a height of from the horizontal

ground. The height h in feet at any time t seconds is given by . Find:

 the average velocity from t = 1 to t = 2;

 the instantaneous velocity at t = 1 and at t = 2;

 the time when ball reaches the ground; and

 the the velocity of the ball as it reaches the ground.

PROBLEM 3

 A ball is thrown upward from the ground with an initial velocity of . If

positive is up, the ball’s position is given by where t is measured in

seconds and position in feet.
 Is the ball rising or falling at t = 1?

 Is the ball rising or falling at t = 3?

 With what velocity does the ball strike the ground?

 How high does the ball go?

PROBLEM 4

 An object is tossed from a top of a 240 ft building with an initial speed of

12ft/sec.
 What is the position function?

 What is the object’s velocity after 2 sec?

 What is the object’s acceleration on its peak?

 When will reach the ground?