A mass on a spring, trying to find dispacement after at certain time. ( )

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Merf
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass Spring Time
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mass-spring system where a 0.27 kg mass is suspended on a spring that stretches 4.9 cm. The mass is pulled down an additional 12.5 cm and released, and the goal is to find the displacement from the equilibrium position after 0.42 seconds. The context includes concepts from harmonic motion and spring mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equilibrium position and initial displacement, with some suggesting the use of equations related to harmonic oscillation. Questions arise about the meaning of variables such as ω and how to incorporate the equilibrium stretch into the equations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing equations and attempting to clarify the relationships between variables. Some guidance has been offered regarding the equations of simple harmonic motion and the need to find the spring constant k, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of information regarding the spring constant k and express uncertainty about how to apply the equations to find the displacement. There is also mention of the initial conditions and how they relate to the equilibrium position.

The Merf
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
A mass on a spring, trying to find dispacement after at certain time. (Please Help!)

Homework Statement



A 0.27 kg mass is suspended on a spring that stretches a distance of 4.9 cm. The mass is then pulled down an additional distance of 12.5 cm and released. What's the displacement from the equilibrium position with the mass attached (in cm) after 0.42 s? Take up to be positive and use g = 9.81 m/s^2

m=.27kg
t=.42s
g=9.81m/s^2
I don't know how to represent it, but I believe that 4.9 is the equilibrium.
12.5cm is the initial displacement (maybe x0?)

Homework Equations



I have no idea, this is what I need help with.

maybe u=1/2kx^2, but I don't have a k, and I don't need u, but it is the only spring equation I know

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org


I also found the fallowing equations dealing with harmonic oscillation:
[tex] <br /> x(t)=A\sin(\omega t)+B\cos(\omega t)<br /> [/tex]
[tex] <br /> \omega^2 =\frac{k}{m}<br /> [/tex]
i'm not sure what the w is
 


ooh, and this one look very promissing:

[ctex]

x(t)=\frac{v_0}{\omega}\sin(\omega t)+x_0\cos(\omega t)\;.

[/ctex]

I know that v0 is 0 so that wipes out the first half, I think x0 is 12.5, but where does the 4.9 come in and what is the w?

hmm, the image doesn't seem to work so I'm going to try writing it out:

x(t)=((v0)/w)sin(wt) + (x0)cos(wt)
 


The stretching force is mg = -kx. Find k.
When you stretch the spring further and release, it will execute a simple harmonic motion with amplitude A and angular frequency ω =sqrt(k/m)
Can you write the equation of SHM and find x at a given time?
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
992
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
26
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K