Damping Constant: Solving for b Homework

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
5 replies · 3K views
Tylerladiesman217
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I am solving for the damping constant (b). The amplitude has decreased to 80% of its original height (0.1m) after 10 oscillations. The mass is 2 kg, k is 5000 N/m, w is 50 rads/s, T = pi/25 s.

Homework Equations


x = 0.1cos(50t)
v = -5sin(50t)
a = -250cos(50t)

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not sure what equation to use, I tried
w = ((k/m)-(b^2/4(m)^2))^1/2
 
Physics news on Phys.org
BvU said:
Helo Tyler, :welcome:

With those equations you'll never be able to solve for the damping constant -- it doesn't appear !
Where do you think it should be sitting ?
I'm not sure, the answer in the back of the book is 0.71 kg/s. I think that I might need to use a different formula, but I'm not sure.
 
BvU said:
What I meant is that your relevant equations feature a constant amplitude: no damping.
Those are the equations assuming no damping. Maybe they aren't relative...
 
Tylerladiesman217 said:
I am solving for the damping constant (b). The amplitude has decreased to 80% of its original height (0.1m) after 10 oscillations
So you can not use ##x = 0.1\cos(50t)## . The link I gave you should help you further...