What Went Wrong in My SHM Proof Using Calculus?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the angular velocity ω of a block in a block-spring system, specifically demonstrating that ω = (k/m)^(1/2) using calculus. The user initially applies Newton's law and Hooke's law correctly but encounters issues when integrating the simple harmonic motion (SHM) equation. The error arises from misapplying integration techniques, particularly neglecting the negative sign during integration. The correct approach involves differentiating the position function twice with respect to time to derive acceleration accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with Hooke's law and spring constants
  • Basic knowledge of calculus, particularly integration and differentiation
  • Concept of simple harmonic motion (SHM)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of simple harmonic motion in-depth
  • Learn about integration techniques, specifically integration by substitution
  • Explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in dynamic systems
  • Practice deriving equations of motion for oscillatory systems
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and oscillatory motion, as well as educators looking to clarify integration techniques in the context of SHM.

Silimay
In a block-spring system with a block of mass m and a spring of spring constant k, prove that the angular velocity ω of the block = (k/m)^(1/2).

I can prove this easily in the following manner:

F = ma Newton's law
F = -kx Hooke's law
a = -ω^2x
ma = -kx = -mω^2x
k = mω^2
ω^2 = (k/m)
ω = (k/m)^(1/2)

But when I try to prove it using calculus (as my teacher instructed me to do) something goes wrong:

F = ma
F = -kx
X = Acos(ωt + φ) SHM
F = ma = -kx = -kAcos(ωt + φ)

I integrated to get:

mv = -kωAsin(ωt + φ)

Did I do something wrong here? I kept integrating (so that there was a ω^2 term on the right side) and substitued for x = Acos(ωt + φ) and canceled out x; but then I got ω = (m/k)^1/2. I don't understand why---is there a flaw in the math somewhere? I think I can probably do the proof by simply integrating the SHM equation and substituting it for acceleration, but I'd like to know what I did wrong above.

Thanks for any help :-)
 
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You messed up your integral. What you've found is the derivative without the negative sign.

What's easier is to realize that a = [itex]\Ddot{x}[/itex], and then just differentiate x twice with respect to time and plug it in for a, then compare terms.

--J
 
Thanks! I didn't realize I was integrating with the chain rule :-) I have to do integration by substitution.
 

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