What is the instantaneous power delivered by the net force at t=2s to a 2kg mass moving according to x(t) = 1/3t^3?

Question

What is the instantaneous power delivered by the net force at t=2s to a 2kg mass moving according to x(t) = (1/3)t³?

Answer 1

Hi Katelyn! (again) In order to solve this problem, you need to break the problem down into its parts:

1) what is the definition of power? Power is equal to work divided by time. What then is the instantaneous power? It is the time derivative of Work, or dW/dt.

2) What is work equal to? Work is equal to Force times distance. F * dx.

3) What is force equal to? Force is equal to mass times acceleration.

4) What is acceleration equal to? Acceleration is equal to the second derivative of position, x(t).

I hope these questions stimulate the thought juices in your brain and ultimately lead you in the right direction!