Hooke's Law and Simple Harmonic Motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around Hooke's Law and its application to a vertical spring-mass system, specifically examining the relationship between mass and the period of oscillation in simple harmonic motion. Participants are exploring mathematical derivations and relationships related to the period of oscillation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why the period increases with mass and seeks mathematical proof of this relationship. They present data and equations related to the system, questioning the connection between different parts of their derivations.
  • Some participants clarify the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, providing equations that relate to the period of oscillation.
  • Others raise questions about specific steps in the derivations, such as the transition from Newton's second law to the differential equation of motion.
  • One participant inquires about the relationship between displacement and period, seeking a mathematical demonstration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the mathematical relationships involved in the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the derivation of the period from the equations of motion, but multiple interpretations and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share or the depth of their explanations. There is an emphasis on understanding the underlying principles rather than providing complete solutions.

Soaring Crane
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We did an experiment with a vertical spring-mass system. Here is an example of data collected:
Mass------------T (period)
200 g-----------.3 s
400g------------.5 s

My question is why does the period increase as the mass increases?

I know that the amp. and T are independent of each other, but how do you show this mathematically? I now it’s easy to show visually, but are there any ties in deriving this, along with the relationship that T = 1/sqrt(x)?

Then, my teacher mentioned some of the following derivisions. I understand a majority of it, but I don’t know how these two parts directly correspond with each other. Does this look familiar to anyone? I don’t quite follow the M_efficiency line, but I do get the calculus.
1st Part
F = -kx, where T = 2*pi*sqrt(M/k) and Mg = kL (L=x)
M*[(d^2*x)/(dt^2)] = -(k/M)x (second derivative)
(d^2*x)/(dt^2) = -w^2*x, where w (or omega) = 2*pi*f
x(t) = Asin(wt + phi)
This is to show that T is proportional to k, I guess.



2nd Part
M_efficiency = M + (M_spring/3)

k_spring = (1/2) integrate(dx/dt)^2 dm

Proportion
v/L = (dx/dt)/x
mass density p = dm/dx, where p = M_spring/L, where L is length
k_spring = (1/2)*definite integral(xv/L)^2 pdx L to 0
k_spring = ½*[(pL^3v^2)/(3L^2)] = ½*(M_spring/3)v^2

and somehow KE = ½[M + (M_spring/3)]*v^2. How do you get to this point?

Thanks for ANY help.
 
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I don't know about M efficiency or whatever.
But the period proportional to the mass is pretty simple to explain.

[tex] F = m\ddot{x} = -kx[/tex]

...

[tex] \ddot{x} + \frac{k}{m}x = 0\ \ \ \ (1)[/tex]

now you know that x itself is a function and can be modeled as:

[tex] x = A \cos ( \omega t + \phi )[/tex]

taking the first derivative gives you:

[tex] \dot{x} = -A\omega \cos ( \omega t + \phi )[/tex]

the second derivative gives you:

[tex] \ddot{x} = -A\omega ^2 cos ( \omega t + \phi )[/tex]

notice that's also equal to:

[tex] \ddot{x} = - \omega ^2 x[/tex]

substituting this in equation (1) gives you:

[tex] -\omega ^2x + \frac{k}{m}x = 0[/tex]

Solving for omega gives you

[tex] \omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}[/tex]

so the period will equal to:

[tex] T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}[/tex]
 
futb0l said:
taking the first derivative gives you:

[tex] \dot{x} = -A\omega \cos ( \omega t + \phi )[/tex]

Should be [tex]\dot{x} = -A\omega \sin (\omega t + \phi)[/tex].
 
Could you explain the first line before Equation 1? How did you get from that line to Equ(1)?

Thanks.
 
He got that line by simply applying Newton's 2nd Law (For Constant Mass).

[tex]\sum_{i=1}^{n} \vec{F}_{i} = m \vec{a}[/tex]
 
Is there a relationship between displacement and period? How do I go about showing this mathematically?

Thanks.
 

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