# Calculating the maximum velocity & acceleration of a spring mass

## Homework Statement

A mass of 0.3kg is suspended from a spring of stiffness 200Nm. If the mass is displaced by 10mm from it's equilibrium position and released, for the resulting vibration calculate:

a) the frequency of vibration
b) the maximum velocity of the mass during the vibration
c) the maximum acceleration of the mass during the vibration
d) the mass required to produce double the maximum velocity calculated using the same spring and initial deflection.

w=√k/m
f=w/2Л
x=Asin(wt+Ø)
v=Aw cos(wt+Ø)
a=Aw² sin(wt+Ø)

## The Attempt at a Solution

I have used w=√k/m to get w=√200/0.3 w=25.81 rads-1

The used f=w/2Л to get f=25.81/2x3.142 f=4.108 Hz

So i am ok working out the frequency of the vibration but i do not understand how to use the remaining equations to get the next answers, i'm not following the process. I'm not asking for answers here, just for someone to help me understand what i need to do to use these and achieve my answers.

Can anyone help me? Thank you in advance for any responses.

Daniel

Related Introductory Physics Homework Help News on Phys.org
$$v= A \omega \cdot cos(\omega t)$$
A and omega are constants, so v is at it's max when $$cos(\omega t)$$ is at it's max

tiny-tim
Homework Helper
Hi Daniel!
x=Asin(wt+Ø)
v=Aw cos(wt+Ø)
a=Aw² sin(wt+Ø)

dumbperson is correct ……

you have the equations for v and a …

what is the difficulty?

So, taking v=Aw cos(wt+Ø)

I get v = 0.01 x 25.81 cos(25.81t+Ø)
v= 0.2581 cos(25.81t+Ø)

So multiplying Aw (0.01 x 25.81) gets me 0.2581.

What happens with the second part of the equation cos(25.81t+Ø)?

That's leaving me a little confused.

The cos(and sin) of an angle can vary from a minimum value of zero to a maximum value of one.
It follows that v is a maximum when cos(wt+ phi) has its maximum value.
Similar reasoning can be used to find a max.

Thanks, so is 0.2581 mm/s-1 my final answer for vmax or do i need to work out cos(wt+ phi). If so how do i work out t and phi?

There is no need to do anything else with the angle other than take the maximum value of cos as being equal to one.In other words vmax=Aw.I haven't checked your numbers but you have presented your units incorrectly.