Calculating Distance in Simple Harmonic Motion with Period and Amplitude

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the distance of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion from its equilibrium position, given its period and amplitude. The object starts at the equilibrium position at time t = 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate mathematical representation of the object's position over time, with some suggesting the use of sine and cosine functions. Questions arise regarding the initial conditions and potential phase shifts in the equations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some offering alternative formulations of the motion equations. There is acknowledgment of mistakes in the initial setup, and hints are provided to guide the original poster towards recognizing these issues.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the initial condition where the object is at the equilibrium position at t = 0, which influences the choice of trigonometric function. Participants also reference the importance of phase shifts in the context of the equations used.

enclosed
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the question is
An object is undergoing simple harmonic motion with period T_1 and amplitude A. At t = 0 the object is at x = 0. How far is the object from the equilibrium position at time t?

well i come up with:
A*cos((2*pi/T_1)*t)

but i get that there's something wrong with my trigonometry, i can't figure out what I am doing wrong
 
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enclosed said:
the question is
An object is undergoing simple harmonic motion with period T_1 and amplitude A. At t = 0 the object is at x = 0. How far is the object from the equilibrium position at time t?
well i come up with:
A*cos((2*pi/T_1)*t)
but i get that there's something wrong with my trigonometry, i can't figure out what I am doing wrong

Hint: if you substitute t=0, do you get x=0 with that cosine function?

Zz.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well as the object is at the equilibrium position at t = 0 there's no phase shift and the displacement is modeled as x = Asin(wt)

The period (let's just call it T for now) = 2pi/w, therefore w = 2pi/T

The equation for the displacement at time t then comes to x = Asin(2*pi*t/T), so unless I'm mistaken you just misread the initial conditions (if you wanted to make it into a cos expression you could give it a phase shift of pi/2).

Cheers,
Just some guy
 
OMG thanks so much, i noticed the mistake, hehe, its pretty late, should be sleeping not prepping for my upcoming middies..
Thanks guys for quick replies!
 

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