Energy changes in mass spring system

In summary, a mass spring system is a physical system consisting of a mass attached to a spring. It involves the exchange of energy between potential and kinetic energy, with factors such as amplitude, mass, and spring constant affecting the energy changes. Damping can also affect the energy changes in a system by dissipating energy. Real-life applications of this concept include shock absorbers, tuned mass dampers, and musical instruments, as well as its use in seismology to study earthquakes.
  • #1
Asad Raza
82
3
Why is the kinetic energy vs time curve of a mass spring system is just a modulus of respective velocity time curve.
How can we prove it mathematically ?
 
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  • #2
Actually that's not true!
Step1) Consider the most general trajectory for a harmonic oscillator:## x(t)=A\cos \omega t+B\sin\omega t ##
Step2) Differentiate it w.r.t. time to get the velocity ##v(t)##.
Step3) Put ##v(t)## in ##K(t)=\frac 1 2 m v(t)^2 ##.
 

1. What is a mass spring system?

A mass spring system refers to a physical system consisting of a mass attached to a spring. The mass can be in the form of a solid object or a point particle, while the spring provides the restoring force necessary for the oscillation of the mass.

2. How does energy change in a mass spring system?

In a mass spring system, there are two types of energy: potential energy and kinetic energy. As the mass oscillates, the energy changes between these two forms, with the total energy remaining constant. At the equilibrium point, all of the energy is in the form of potential energy, while at the maximum displacement, all of the energy is in the form of kinetic energy.

3. What factors affect the energy changes in a mass spring system?

The energy changes in a mass spring system are affected by several factors, including the amplitude of oscillation, the mass of the object, and the spring constant. A higher amplitude results in a greater change in energy, while a heavier mass and a stiffer spring also lead to larger energy changes.

4. How does damping affect energy changes in a mass spring system?

Damping, which refers to the dissipation of energy due to external forces such as friction, can affect the energy changes in a mass spring system. In a system with high damping, the energy is dissipated more quickly, resulting in smaller amplitude and smaller energy changes over time.

5. What real-life applications use the concept of energy changes in a mass spring system?

The concept of energy changes in a mass spring system is used in various real-life applications, such as shock absorbers in vehicles, buildings with tuned mass dampers to reduce vibrations during earthquakes, and musical instruments such as guitars and pianos. It is also used in the study of seismology to understand the behavior of earthquakes.

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