What is the relationship between simple harmonic motion and amplitude?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between simple harmonic motion (SHM) and amplitude, particularly in the context of oscillations involving a block attached to a spring and the vertical motion of a destroyer's bow. Participants explore how changes in mass, spring constant, and amplitude affect the period of oscillation and other related quantities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for the period of oscillation, T = 2π * sqrt(m / k), and how it relates to changes in mass and spring constant. Questions arise about the role of amplitude in determining the period, with some participants noting that amplitude does not appear in the period formula.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to calculate periods for different scenarios and to derive maximum velocity and acceleration for a system undergoing SHM. Some participants express uncertainty about their reasoning and seek clarification on the relationship between amplitude and other parameters in SHM.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework problems, which involve specific parameters such as periods, masses, and amplitudes. There is an ongoing exploration of definitions and relationships in SHM without reaching a definitive conclusion on the role of amplitude.

dustybray
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Hi,

I'm having trouble with this problem because I don't know how to deal with all these unknowns:

4. A block attached to a spring with unknown spring constant oscillates with a period of 2.0 s. What is the period if :

a. The mass is doubled?
b. The mass is halved?
c. The amplitude is doubled?
d. The spring constant is doubled?

I think I should use T = 2π * sqrt( m / k ), but what are m and k... ??

Also, what relates this to amplitude?


Hopefully I'm doing this problem correctly, but I don't know how to get acceleration:

7. The bow of a destroyer undergoes simple harmonic vertical pitching motion with a period of 8.0 s and an amplitude of 2.0 m.

a. What is the maximum vertical velocity of the destroyer’s bow?

f = 1/T = .125rev/s

ω = 2πf = .785rad/s

v = ωr = (.785rad/s) (2m) = 1.57m/s

b. What is the maximum acceleration?

??

c. An 80 kg sailor is standing on a scale in the bunkroom in the bow. What are the maximum and minimum readings on the scale in Newtons?

80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 + a)

80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 - a)


Thanks,

dusty...
 
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m = the mass, k = spring constant

You will have to write your answers in terms of 'T'.

Also, what relates this to amplitude?

Well amplitude isn't in the equation for the period, so does it really affect T?

I have to go to a lecture now... I'll finsh this reply when I return.
(Quickly: if x = A Sin( wt),

Then - dx/dt = v = Aw Cos(wt) - You noticed that v is a maximun at Cos(wt) = 1. (You used 'r' for amplitude, whereas I use 'A').

So dv/dt = a. Hope this helps,

Regards,
Sam
 
Ok,

I'm not sure if I understood, but I've reworked the problems:

For this problem, I hope I used logical mathematics and not contrived black magic...

4. A block attached to a spring with unknown spring constant oscillates with a period of
2.0 s. What is the period if :

T = 2π * sqrt( m / k )

a. The mass is doubled?

T = 2π * sqrt( 2 * (m / k) )

T = sqrt( 2 ) ( 2π * sqrt( m / k ) )

T = sqrt( 2 ) * 2s

T = 2.83s

b. The mass is halved?

T = sqrt( .5 ) * 2s

T = 1.41s

c. The amplitude is doubled?

2s – not dependent on amplitude

d. The spring constant is doubled?

T = sqrt( .5 ) * 2s

T = 1.41s


So, do you mean that a = v[max] / period ?

7. The bow of a destroyer undergoes simple harmonic vertical pitching motion with a period of 8.0 s and an amplitude of 2.0 m.

a. What is the maximum vertical velocity of the destroyer’s bow?

f = 1/T = .125rev/s

ω = 2πf = .785rad/s

v = ωr = (.785rad/s) (2m) = 1.57m/s

b. What is the maximum acceleration?

a = Δv / Δt

a = (1.57m/s) / (8s) = .2m/s^2

c. An 80 kg sailor is standing on a scale in the bunkroom in the bow. What are the
maximum and minimum readings on the scale in Newtons?

F = ma


F[max] = 80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 + .2m/s^2 ) = 800N

F[min] = 80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 - .2m/s^2 ) = 768N


And here is an aditional problem which I've worked, if you don't mind checking that I'm on the right path.

6. The position of a particle is given by 0.07 cos (6п t) m, where t is in s.

a. What are the frequency and the period?

ω = 2πf = 6π

f = ω / 2π = 6π / 2π

f = 3rev/s


T = 1/f = .33s

b. What is the amplitude?

.07m

c. What is the maximum speed?

v = rω = (.07m) (6π rad/s)

v = .0037m/s

d. What is the maximum acceleration?

a = Δv / Δt

a = (.0037m/s) / (.33s) = .0112m/s^2

e. What is the first time after t = 0 that the particle is at the equilibrium position?

cos (6π*t) = 0

6π*t = cos^-1 ( 0 )

t = cos^-1 ( 0 ) / 6π

t = .083s

f. What is the first time the particle is at x = 0 and moving to the right?

cos (6π*t) = 0

6π*t = cos^-1 ( 0 ) = (1/2)π, but going left

(1/2)π + π = (3/2)π

t = (3/2)π / 6π

t = .25s

Thanks for all the help,

dusty...
 
I agree with all of your answers to question 4.

I'm sorry, I seem to have confused you with Question 7, let me try again...

We can say the the position x for an object undergoing SHM can be written as:

x = A Sin (wt)

By definition, if we differentiate a function of displacement with respect to time (dx/dt), we get velocity. So...

v = dx/dt = d/dt(A Sin wt) = Aw Cos wt

Also by definition if we diferentiate a function of velocity with respect to time (dv/dt), we get acceleration. So can you now differentiate:

d/dt(Aw Cos (wt)) If you can't don't worry... I'm just trying to boost your knowledge of SHM. If you understand this, then great! If not, let me tell you that:

amax = Aw2 (this equation is given in exams that I have taken in sixth-form and University).

Let me know how you get on,
Sam
 

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