The discussion revolves around the dynamics of a mass-spring system involving a mass m1 on a platform of mass M, which is supported by springs. Participants are tasked with deriving equations of motion and analyzing forces within the system without specific initial conditions.
The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being explored. Some participants have offered guidance on how to express forces and energy in terms of the unknowns introduced. There is recognition of the complexity of the problem, particularly regarding the treatment of gravitational forces and the need for clarity in defining variables.
Participants note that there is insufficient information to fully resolve the problem, particularly regarding initial conditions and specific values. The task requires expressing answers in terms of the variables introduced, which adds to the complexity of the discussion.
No, as I wrote in post #4 it depends how you define the position x=0. If you define it as being the equilibrium position then that is mg/k below the relaxed spring position. Thus the force in the spring is -k(x-mg/k) = -kx+mg. The net force on the object is thus (-kx+mg)-mg = -kx.RiotRick said:Update if anyone runs into the same problem. I don't have a solution but the attempt here is wrong. Right attempt would be ##x''m = -kx + m*g## Which leads to an inhom. diff. equation.
With this I close this thread o7