Resisted Motion 1 Horizontal Motion

A particle of mass m is initially travelling in a straight line with speed V m/s.

Throughout the subsequent motion, it is subjected to a resisting force which acts in the OPPOSITE
direction to the motion, and which is proportional to its speed.
Find expressions for:
(i) the velocity of the particle when it is x metres from its original position.
(ii) the velocity of the particle and its position after t seconds.
(iii) Show that the displacement has a limiting value as t .
Solution
Force Diagram:

Origin:
Positive direction:
Initial conditions:
Equation of motion:

Expression relating x and v Expression relating t and v

dv dv
x&& = v = kv x&& = = kv
dx dt

v = x& = V kx v = x& = Ve kt ; x =
V
k
(
1 e kt )