A Problem on Simple Harmonic Oscillations

[Hareesh]

A 'U' shaped tube is partially filled with water. If the water inside it is disturbed from one end does it begins to move up and down. Does this motion is simple harmonic.
Accelaration = force/mass = (g/h)y
Time period T = 2pi/w
w=(g/h)^-1/2

 

[tiny-tim]

Accelaration = force/mass = (g/h)y
Time period T = 2pi/w
w=(g/h)^-1/2

Hi Hareesh!

I don't understand what you've done here.

Hint: for this sort of problem, the first thing to do is to find the equation of motion …

in this case, use Newton's second law F = ma to relate the forces on the water to its position.

(assume that the water more than fills the 'U', so the surface is in the two straight parts of the tube)