At t=0, a train approaching a station begins decelerating from a speed of 80 mi/hr according to the acceleration function a(t)=−1280(1+8t)^−3, where t≥0 is measured in hours. how far does the train travel? a. between t=0 and t=0.2 b. between t=0.2 and t=0.4 the units of acceleration are mi/hr^2.

a)  Δx = 49.23 mi , b)  Δx = 5.77 mi

Explanation:

As we have an acceleration function we must use the definition of kinematics

     a = dv / dt

     ∫dv = ∫ a dt

we integrate and evaluators

      v - vo = ∫ (-1280 (1 + 8t)⁻³ dt = -1280 ∫ (1+ 8t)⁻³ dt

We change variables

       1+ 8t = u

       8 dt = du

       v - v₀ = -1280 ∫ u⁻³ du / 8

       v -v₀ = -1280 / 8 (-u⁻²/2)

       v - v₀ = 80 (1+ 8t)⁻²

We evaluate between the initial t = 0 v₀ = 80 and the final instant t and v

      v- 80 = 80 [(1 + 8t)⁻² - 1]

      v = 80 (1+ 8t)⁻²

We repeat the process for defining speed is

     v = dx / dt

    dx = vdt

    x-x₀ = 80 ∫ (1-8t)⁻² dt

    x-x₀ = 80 ∫ u⁻² dt / 8

    x-x₀ = 80 (-1 / u)

    x-x₀ = -80 (1 / (1 + 8t))

We evaluate for t = 0 and x₀ and the upper point t and x

   x -x₀ = -80 [1 / (1 + 8t) - 1]

We already have the function of time displacement

a) let's calculate the position at the two points and be

t = 0 h

     x = x₀

t = 0.2 h

    x-x₀ = -80 [1 / (1 +8 02) -1]

    x-x₀ = 49.23

displacement is

  Δx = x (0.2) - x (0)

   Δx = 49.23 mi

b) in the interval t = 0.2 h at t = 0.4 h

t = 0.4h

     x- x₀ = -80 [1 / (1+ 8 0.4) -1]

     x-x₀ = 55 mi

    Δx = x (0.4) - x (0.2)

     Δx = 55 - 49.23

     Δx = 5.77 mi

increase masses, decrease separation