The distance s metres of a particle from a fixed point at time t seconds is given by \(s = 7 + pt^{3} + t^{2}\), where p is a constant. If the acceleration ...

The distance s metres of a particle from a fixed point at time t seconds is given by \(s = 7 + pt^{3} + t^{2}\), where p is a constant. If the acceleration at t = 3 secs is \(8 ms^{-2}\), find the value of p.

Answer Details

Given, distance of a particle from a fixed point at time t seconds is given by, $$s = 7 + pt^{3} + t^{2}$$ We can find the acceleration of the particle by differentiating the distance equation twice with respect to time. $$\frac{d}{dt} s = \frac{d}{dt} (7 + pt^{3} + t^{2})$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{ds}{dt} = 3pt^2 + 2t$$ $$\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}} s = \frac{d}{dt} (3pt^2 + 2t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{d^{2}s}{dt^{2}} = 6pt + 2$$ We are given that the acceleration at t = 3 sec is \(8 ms^{-2}\), so we can substitute the values in the second derivative of the distance equation to get, $$6p(3) + 2 = 8$$ $$\Rightarrow 18p = 6$$ $$\Rightarrow p = \frac{6}{18} = \frac{1}{3}$$ Hence, the value of p is \(\frac{1}{3}\). Therefore, is correct.