Finding the Displacement of a piston in circular motion

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a piston attached to a rotating disc, with parameters including mass, radius, frequency, and spring constant. The objective is to determine how far the piston moves outward due to the forces acting on it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between frequency and speed, and how centrifugal force relates to spring force. There are attempts to establish equations based on these relationships.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on setting up equations to relate the forces involved, while others are exploring the implications of their calculations. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the clarity of the problem statement.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential ambiguity in the problem, particularly regarding the interpretation of the radius and the relationship between the variables involved.

Fennec
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Homework Statement


A 1.86 g piston is attached to a rotating disc. The radius is 25.5 cm when the disc is stationary. A spring attached to the piston has a spring constant of 31.3 N/m. The piston is rotating at a frequency of 10 Hz. How har will the piston move outward
k = 31.3
r = 25.5 cm = 0.255 m
Frequency = 10 Hz
m = 1.86 g



Homework Equations


1/2kx^2 = Es
ac = v^2/r
W = change in Energy


The Attempt at a Solution



I really don't even know where to start. Please help. How am I supposed to relate frequency to speed?
 
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Does that mean the piston's centrifugal force stretches the spring?
If so, begin with centrifugal force = spring force
Fill in the detailed formulas and see if you can find the stretch.
 
Okay so

Fc = -kx
m*ac = -31.3* x
0.00186*v^2/0.255 = -31.3* x

How do I find both v and x?
 
Last edited:
You can write another equation using the 10 turns per second.
That is v = 2πr*10.
The question is not very clear, but looks like r = 0.255 + x.
You have a system of two equations to solve.
 
I found the strech of the spring to be 1.525 cm. Is that all I have to do for this problem?
 
The stretch is the answer but that 1.5 cm seems low.
It would be interesting to see how you worked it out.
 

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