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kgal
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Homework Statement
A student measures the unstretched length of a spring as 11.2 cm. When a 100.0 g mass is hung from the end of the spring, its length is 20.7 at rest. The mass-spring system is set into oscillatory motion and the amplitude of the motion decreases to half its original value in 5 complete oscillations.
a. What is the period of the oscillatory motion, assuming no damping?
b. The student can measure the period of oscillation to an accuracy of 0.05s. Will the student be able to detect the difference between the period calculated with no damping and the period of the damped oscillator?
Homework Equations
F = -kΔx
T = 2∏/√(k/m)
Δx = x2 - x1
The Attempt at a Solution
a. Δx = x2 - x1 = 20.7 - 11.2 = 9.5 cm = 0.095 m
F = -kΔx
-k = F/Δx = mg/Δx = .98/.095 = 10.31 N/m
T = 2∏ / √(k/m) = .62 s
b. Not sure how to even start with this one...