The instantaneous speed of a particle moving along one straight line is v(t) = ate−6t, where the speed v is measured in meters per second, the time t is measured in seconds, and the magnitude of the constant a is measured in meters per second squared. What is its maximum speed, expressed as a multiple of a? (Do not include units in your answer.)

Answer:

v_max = (1/6)e^-1 a

Explanation:

You have the following equation for the instantaneous speed of a particle:

[tex]v(t)=ate^{-6t}[/tex]   (1)

To find the expression for the maximum speed in terms of the acceleration "a", you first derivative v(t) respect to time t:

[tex]\frac{dv(t)}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}[ate^{-6t}]=a[(1)e^{-6t}+t(e^{-6t}(-6))][/tex]  (2)

where you have use the derivative of a product.

Next, you equal the expression (2) to zero in order to calculate t:

[tex]a[(1)e^{-6t}-6te^{-6t}]=0\\\\1-6t=0\\\\t=\frac{1}{6}[/tex]

For t = 1/6 you obtain the maximum speed.

Then, you replace that value of t in the expression (1):

[tex]v_{max}=a(\frac{1}{6})e^{-6(\frac{1}{6})}=\frac{e^{-1}}{6}a[/tex]

hence, the maximum speed is v_max = ((1/6)e^-1)a

A steam engine takes in superheated steam at 270 °C and discharges condensed steam from its cylinder at 50 °C. The engine has an efficiency of 30%, and taken in 50 kJ from the hot steam per cycle. If a Carnot engine takes in the same amount of heat per cycle and operates at these temperatures, the work it can turn into is most likely to be:a) 15 kJ. b) 20 kJ. c) 10 kJ. d) 50 kJ.