- #1
discordplus
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Homework Statement
an object of mass m experiences a force of the form
Fx = -kx
Fy = -ky
Its initial speed is v and at that time it is at (x,y) = (0,0)
Find the period of the motion and the farthest distance from equilibrium
Homework Equations
U = -[tex]\int F(r) dr[/tex]
T = 2[tex]\pi[/tex][tex]\sqrt{m/k}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
I think this is a superposition of SHM, so the period would just be 2pi root(m/k), yes?
Furthermore since the force acting on the particle is conservative it has a potential energy given by .5kr^2 and its initial energy is .5mv^2, so when its speed equals zero the potential energy is maxed so .5kr^2 = .5mv^2? v is again the initial speed
What happens if the k's in the force equation aren't equal though? In terms of the period i mean. Is the motion just characterized by two separate periods? One in x and one in y?