- #1
cosmo1993
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Homework Statement
A mass m is connected to a spring with unstretched length L. You hold on to one end of the spring and swing the mass around. You practice getting the mass going until the spring just goes slack at the top of the path. At the bottom of the path. the spring stretches by an amount equal to half of its unstretched length.
Why doesn't the mass make a circular path?
Find the spring constant k of the spring
Homework Equations
F = -kΔs
at the bottom of the circle
Normal force = mg + ma
The Attempt at a Solution
I figured that the mass does not make a circular path because the spring is oscillating as it travels around the circle, therefore, the path of the mass is more egg shaped.
I said that K = (m(g+a))/Δs would be the spring constant but I am not sure if I am correct. Any help?