Problem 2

1 Problem Description:
Here, we will analyse the motion of a body moving horizontally on a flat surface with
constant velocity. We obtain solutions computationally using Euler’s method.

2 Assumptions:
1. Body is a point object
2. Motion is one-dimensional
3. No air resistance
4. No friction

3 Mathematical Model:
3.1 Differential Equations:
Let origin O be a point on the ground and the positive direction of X − axis be in the
direction of the velocity of the body. The body starts its motion form origin O. Since the
velocity of the body v is constant, its acceleration is 0. Also,

dx
=v (1)
dt

3.2 Difference Equations:

The corresponding difference equation is:

xi+1 = xi + vdt (2)

3.3 Initial Conditions:

Since the body starts its motion from the origin,

x0 = x(0) = 0

and the constant velocity of the body is v.

3.4 Other Parameters:

1. v = 50m/s

1
4 Analytical Solution:
Solving Eqn.(1) with initial condition x(0) = 0, we get

x = vt (3)

5 Results:
Here are the plots we obtained:

Figure 1: On Earth

6 Observations:
1. For different values of dt,