Answer
Here are two problems:
- The model is a bit hard to use. We have to begin with a position
function, and then build up velocity, acceleration, force, drag, and power
functions by doing various Maple manipulations. Only then can we start
computing power requirements. It would be nice if we could do the power
computations directly on the position, mass, and drag coefficient.
- The model only works on one dimension. It would be nice if we could
generalize the model so that it could take two-dimensional trajectories into
account. This requires slightly more complicated mathematics, and we will not
address this generalization at this time.
Return to lesson.
Joseph L. Zachary
Hamlet Project
Department of Computer Science
University of Utah