Calculate the spring constant k

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the spring constant k for a thin uniform rod with mass M = 0.5 kg and length L = 0.55 m, pivoted at one end and resting on a compressed spring. The rod is released from an angle θ1 = 63.0° and moves to θ2 = 105.0°. The user initially calculated the speed of the center of mass at position B as 1.023 m/s but struggled with the energy conservation equation. The correct approach involves using both potential and rotational kinetic energy to find k, rather than just translational kinetic energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of energy conservation principles in physics
  • Familiarity with rotational dynamics and moment of inertia
  • Knowledge of spring mechanics and Hooke's Law
  • Basic trigonometry for angle calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study energy conservation in systems involving both translational and rotational motion
  • Learn about calculating moment of inertia for different shapes, specifically rods
  • Explore Hooke's Law and its application in spring constant calculations
  • Investigate the relationship between angular displacement and linear motion in pivoted systems
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for physics exams, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of rotational motion and energy conservation.

zhenyazh
Messages
55
Reaction score
0
hi,
i am preparing for the test and have the following question.
as usual i don't see where my mistake is.
an image is attached.

A thin uniform rod has mass M = 0.5 kg and length L= 0.55 m. It has a pivot at one end and is at rest on a compressed spring as shown in (A). The rod is released from an angle θ1= 63.0o, and moves through its horizontal position at (B) and up to (C) where it stops with θ2 = 105.0o, and then falls back down. Friction at the pivot is negligible. Calculate the speed of the CM at (B).

this i found. 1.023 m/s

The spring in (A) has a length of 0.11 m and at (B) a length of 0.14 m. Calculate the spring constant k.

ok so i decided to use a and b to calculate.
i decided to use the height of the rod in b as height zero.
this means that in a the system has two energies. the potential and the spring.
the equation of energy conservation is:
mgh+0.5kx^2=0.5mv^2
thus
-0.5*9.81*0.55/2*cos(63)+0.5*k*0.03^2=0.5*0.5*1.023^2
but it is wrong.

thanks
 

Attachments

  • prob32a_RodOnSpring.gif
    prob32a_RodOnSpring.gif
    1.4 KB · Views: 620
Physics news on Phys.org
ok.
so i managed so solve it but with a and c and not a and b.
this means of course that i calculate the kinetic energy in b wrong.
can u help and explain how it should be done?
just 0.5mv^2 or just 0.5Iw^2 or their sum?
what do i do when

thanks a lot
 
would it be fair to say
that it has only rotational energy because it is fixed at one end?

thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K