Mechanical vibrations: floating apple

In summary, the position, velocity, and acceleration of an apple floating in water and released above its floating level by 0.02m can be calculated using the equations ##x = Acos(\omega t)##, ##v = \frac{dx}{dt} = -A\omega sin (\omega t)##, and ##a = \frac{dv}{dt} = -\omega^2 x##, where ##A = \frac{1}{50}m##, ##\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}##, and ##T = \frac{3}{4}s##. At ##1/4## and ##1/2## of the period ##T##, the apple
  • #1
vxr
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Homework Statement
An apple floats in a barrel of water. If you lift the apple above its floating level by ##h = 0.02m## and release it, it bobs up and down with a period of ##T = \frac{3}{4}s##. Assuming that the motion is simple harmonic, find the position ##x##, velocity ##v## and acceleration ##a## of the apple at the times corresponding to ##1/4## and ##1/2## of period ##T##.
Relevant Equations
##x = Acos(\omega t)##
Can someone double check my calculations? I will skip ##\theta## shift angle in all calculations for simplicity.

##x(t) = Acos(\omega t) \quad \land \quad \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T} \quad \land \quad A = \frac{1}{50}m = h##

1.1: ##x(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##x(\frac{1}{4}T) = Acos(\frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{4}) = Acos(\frac{\pi}{2}) = 0m##

1.2: ##x(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##x(\frac{1}{2}T) = Acos(\frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{2}) = Acos(\pi) = \frac{1}{50}cos(\pi) = -\frac{1}{50}m##

--

2.1: ##v(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##v = \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt} \Bigg( Acos(\omega t) \Bigg) = -A \omega sin (\omega t)##

##v(\frac{1}{4}T) = \frac{-2A \pi}{T} sin \Big( \frac{2\pi}{t} \frac{T}{4} \Big) = \frac{-2A \pi}{\frac{3}{4}} sin \Big( \frac{\pi}{2} \Big) = \frac{-8A \pi}{3} = -0.168 \frac{m}{s}##

2.2: ##v(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##v(\frac{1}{2}T) = \frac{-2A \pi}{\frac{3}{4}} sin \Big( \frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{2} \Big) = \frac{-8A \pi}{3} sin (\pi) = 0 \frac{m}{s}##

--

3.1: ##a(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##a = \frac{dv}{dt} = \frac{d^2 x}{dt^2} = \frac{d}{dt} \Bigg( -A\omega sin(\omega t)\Bigg) = -A\omega^2 cos(\omega t) = -\omega^2 x##

##a(t) = -\omega^2 x(t)##

##\Longrightarrow a(\frac{1}{4}T) = 0 \frac{m}{s^2}##

3.2: ##a(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##a(\frac{1}{2}T) = -\omega^2 * (-\frac{1}{50}m) = \omega^2 \frac{1}{50}##

##\begin{cases} a(\frac{1}{2}T) = \omega^2 \frac{1}{50} \\ \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}\end{cases} \Longrightarrow a(\frac{1}{2}T) = \frac{1}{50} \frac{4\pi^2}{T^2} = \frac{4\pi^2}{50} \frac{1}{(\frac{3}{4})^2} = \frac{4\pi^2}{50} \frac{16}{9} = \frac{64 \pi^2}{450} \frac{m}{s^2}##
 
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  • #2
vxr said:
Problem Statement: An apple floats in a barrel of water. If you lift the apple above its floating level by ##h = 0.02m## and release it, it bobs up and down with a period of ##T = \frac{3}{4}s##. Assuming that the motion is simple harmonic, find the position ##x##, velocity ##v## and acceleration ##a## of the apple at the times corresponding to ##1/4## and ##1/2## of period ##T##.
Relevant Equations: ##x = Acos(\omega t)##

Can someone double check my calculations? I will skip ##\theta## shift angle in all calculations for simplicity.

##x(t) = Acos(\omega t) \quad \land \quad \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T} \quad \land \quad A = \frac{1}{50}m = h##

1.1: ##x(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##x(\frac{1}{4}T) = Acos(\frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{4}) = Acos(\frac{\pi}{2}) = 0m##

1.2: ##x(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##x(\frac{1}{2}T) = Acos(\frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{2}) = Acos(\pi) = \frac{1}{50}cos(\pi) = -\frac{1}{50}m##

--

2.1: ##v(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##v = \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt} \Bigg( Acos(\omega t) \Bigg) = -A \omega sin (\omega t)##

##v(\frac{1}{4}T) = \frac{-2A \pi}{T} sin \Big( \frac{2\pi}{t} \frac{T}{4} \Big) = \frac{-2A \pi}{\frac{3}{4}} sin \Big( \frac{\pi}{2} \Big) = \frac{-8A \pi}{3} = -0.168 \frac{m}{s}##

2.2: ##v(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##v(\frac{1}{2}T) = \frac{-2A \pi}{\frac{3}{4}} sin \Big( \frac{2\pi}{T} \frac{T}{2} \Big) = \frac{-8A \pi}{3} sin (\pi) = 0 \frac{m}{s}##

--

3.1: ##a(\frac{1}{4}T)## = ?

##a = \frac{dv}{dt} = \frac{d^2 x}{dt^2} = \frac{d}{dt} \Bigg( -A\omega sin(\omega t)\Bigg) = -A\omega^2 cos(\omega t) = -\omega^2 x##

##a(t) = -\omega^2 x(t)##

##\Longrightarrow a(\frac{1}{4}T) = 0 \frac{m}{s^2}##

3.2: ##a(\frac{1}{2}T)## = ?

##a(\frac{1}{2}T) = -\omega^2 * (-\frac{1}{50}m) = \omega^2 \frac{1}{50}##

##\begin{cases} a(\frac{1}{2}T) = \omega^2 \frac{1}{50} \\ \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}\end{cases} \Longrightarrow a(\frac{1}{2}T) = \frac{1}{50} \frac{4\pi^2}{T^2} = \frac{4\pi^2}{50} \frac{1}{(\frac{3}{4})^2} = \frac{4\pi^2}{50} \frac{16}{9} = \frac{64 \pi^2}{450} \frac{m}{s^2}##
Looks right.
 
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1. What causes the apple to float in the water?

The apple floats in the water because of the buoyant force acting on it. This force is generated by the displaced water, which is equal to the weight of the object. As long as the weight of the apple is less than the weight of the water it displaces, it will float.

2. How does the vibration of the apple affect its floating position?

The vibration of the apple causes small ripples in the water around it. These ripples create a disturbance in the water's surface tension, which can cause the apple to move slightly. However, the buoyant force will still keep the apple afloat as long as its weight remains less than the weight of the water it displaces.

3. Why does the apple move towards the source of vibration?

The apple moves towards the source of vibration because of the principle of resonance. When an object is subjected to a vibration with the same frequency as its natural frequency, it will resonate and move in response. This is why the apple is attracted to the source of the vibration.

4. Can the apple float in any direction when vibrated?

Yes, the apple can float in any direction when vibrated. The direction of the movement will depend on the direction of the vibration and the location of the source in relation to the apple. However, the apple will still remain afloat as long as the buoyant force is greater than the weight of the apple.

5. How does the density of the apple affect its floating behavior?

The density of the apple plays a significant role in its floating behavior. If the apple is less dense than the water, it will float. However, if the apple is more dense than the water, it will sink. This is because the buoyant force is determined by the density of the object and the volume of water it displaces.

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