Approaching Simple Harmonic Motion Amplitude Calculation

  • Thread starter Thread starter sopi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Harmonic
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the amplitude of a block on a piston undergoing simple harmonic motion, given a period of 1.18 seconds. The user correctly identifies that the force equation F = ma must be less than the gravitational force F = mg for the block to remain on the piston. They derive acceleration using the formula a = (2π x frequency)² x A(max amplitude) and plan to substitute this into the inequality. The response confirms that this approach is valid and encourages using the provided values to find the amplitude. This method effectively addresses the problem of determining the critical amplitude at which the block will separate from the piston.
sopi
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hello, I was wondering if I am approaching the following problem correctly:

"A block is on a piston that is moving vertically with simple harmonic motion.
At what amplitude of motion will the block and the piston separate if the period of the piston is 1.18 s?"

I am currently doing the following:

We know F = ma must be less than F= mg. We also know:
a = acceleration = (2pi x frequency)^2 times A(max amplitude).

So then we sub 'a' into 'ma < mg' and solve for amplitude A. Is this correct?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, this is a correct approach to solve the problem. You can use the values given to calculate the acceleration and then solve for the amplitude.
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

When Do Sand Particles Slip Off a Vibrating Plate?
Replies
13
Views
1K
How to prove that motion is periodic but not simple harmonic?
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
Zero Amplitude Damped Simple Harmonic Motion with k=0.7s^-1 and f=3Hz
Replies
5
Views
1K
Simple harmonic motion - Find amplitude given period
Replies
25
Views
19K
Maximum compression of a spring?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Rotating simple harmonic oscillator
Replies
11
Views
1K
Initial velocity of bird landing on horizontal wire modeled as spring
Replies
7
Views
974
Simple Harmonic Oscillator with Boundary Conditions
Replies
10
Views
3K
Position and acceleration in simple harmonic motion given velocity
Replies
16
Views
1K
The phase of a simple harmonic motion
Replies
5
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top