Pendulum/Simple Harmonic Motion, what is its energy of motion?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the energy of motion for a 1.2 kg mass attached to a spring oscillating with a 5.1 cm amplitude and a frequency of 2.1 Hz. Participants confirm the use of the kinetic energy formula KE=1/2mv^2, emphasizing the need to determine the maximum velocity in simple harmonic motion (SHM) using the equation Vmax=Aw. The conversation highlights the importance of considering both kinetic energy and potential energy in the system, whether vertical or horizontal. It is noted that the total energy remains constant due to the interchange between elastic potential energy and kinetic energy. Understanding these principles is essential for accurately calculating the maximum kinetic energy of the motion.
nicoleb14
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A 1.2 kg mass attached to a spring oscillates with an amplitude of 5.1 cm and a frequency of 2.1 Hz. What is its energy of motion?

I just have to use KE=1/2mv^2 right?
do I have to involve the amplitude?
 
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In SHM the KE is continually varying. So you are asking for the MAX KE, right?
 
I just need the energy of motion, so i guess that means KE max?
 
The KE max will be the total energy of the motion.
You are correct to use KE=1/2mv^2 but you need an expression for vmax in simple harmonic motion. You will need to find the spring constant (stiffness) and use this to find the max velocity.
Do you know these equations?
 
What is the max linear velocity in SHM?
 
Vmax=Aw
 
Then you can find max ke = (1/2)mv^2 and use v = Aw
 
thank you sooo muuuch! :D
 
nicoleb14 said:
A 1.2 kg mass attached to a spring oscillates with an amplitude of 5.1 cm and a frequency of 2.1 Hz. What is its energy of motion?

I just have to use KE=1/2mv^2 right?
do I have to involve the amplitude?

Is this mass hanging from the spring, or is this whole situation taking place horizontally??
 
  • #10
the problem doesn't say
 
  • #11
nicoleb14 said:
the problem doesn't say

Assuming it is vertical, there is a constant interchange of elastic energy in the spring, gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.

The total of them at any time will be constant.

That might be what is meant by the energy of the motion.

Even if the situation is horizontal [so no change in gravitational potential energy] there is a steady interchange between elastic potential energy and kinetic energy.
 
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