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Modeling with Differential Equations. Dr. Jeff Morgan Department of Mathematics University of Houston jmorgan@math.uh.edu. Shameless Advertisement. Houston Area Calculus Teachers Association – http://www.HoustonACT.org Houston Area Teachers of Statistics – http://www.HoustonATS.org
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Modeling with Differential Equations Dr. Jeff Morgan Department of Mathematics University of Houston jmorgan@math.uh.edu
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Goals • Create a mathematical model for the motion of a cart along an arbitrary roller coaster track lying in the xy plane, subject to gravity in the -y direction. • Examine the specific case of a circular track, and build an animation of the motion. • Consider the added complexity of a spring loaded roller coaster model, and modify the mathematical model. • Determine whether there is a spring loaded model on which the speed of the cart would always be constant. • Modify the spring model to incorporate a bungee cord.
Roller Coaster Models(neglecting friction) track gravity cart
Specific Example: Circular Track(neglecting friction) track gravity cart
Process • Write Model Equations. • Solve using Winplot. • Export data to Excel. • Fit Data. • Animate the motion in Winplot.
Spring-Loaded Roller Coaster Models(neglecting friction) spring secure end track gravity cart
track gravity cart Specific Example: Spring-Loaded Circular Track(neglecting friction) secure end
Process • Write Model Equations. • Explore using Winplot. • Discuss animating the motion.
Exploration: Determine whether there a spring-loaded roller track so that the speed of the cart along the track is always constant.
Exploration: How will the model change if we use a bungee cord instead of a spring?
Exploration: Determine whether there a bungee coaster roller track so that the speed of the cart along the track is always constant.