- #1
Eric_meyers
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Homework Statement
"A mass stands on a platform which executes simple harmonic oscillation in a vertical direction at a frequency of 5 Hz. Show that the mass loses contact with the platform when the displacement exceeds 10^-2 m."
Homework Equations
x(t) = a cos(wt - phi)
frequecy = 1/T = w/2(pi)
The Attempt at a Solution
Ok, so I solved for w: 5 = w/(2 * pi) w = 31.41592 rad/s
But the thing is, I don't understand the fundamentals of this question, how can a mass stay on a platform without gravity pushing it against the board? I.E. What am I solving for? I'm guessing there's a threshold somewhere to solve for but I'm just not seeing it. I.E. if the question specified a mass and gravity constant I could use that as the force holding the mass on the platform and when the platform's force exceeded the force of gravity the mass would lose contact - but I don't have that here.
I'm utterly confused.