Finding Velocity in Simple Harmonic Motion

[MRMooneyham]

The position of a particle is given by x = (6.6)cos(4.1t) where t is in seconds. The frequency of the particle's oscillation is ____ Hz.



I am completely at lost for this, its a new chapter in ap physics, and i don't understand it at all, my teacher is really busy so can someone explain it to me please?

 

[QuarkCharmer]

If you recall, the frequency is simply 1/T, where T is the period. Do you remember how to find the period of a sin/cos function (from trigonometry)?

 

[MRMooneyham]

nope sorry, I've never taken trig sadly

 

[MRMooneyham]

Never mind, i figured it out on my own

 

[MRMooneyham]

The position of a particle is given by x = (7.4)cos(5.8t) where t is in seconds. The particle will arrive at the equilibrium position for the first time ____ seconds after t = 0.

though if i could get some help with this...

 

[QuarkCharmer]

Okay, well the x-axis is the position of the object/particle. You simply have to find the first time that the graph of x(t) = 0. Essentially it is asking you to find an x-intercept.

 

[Nessdude14]

nope sorry, I've never taken trig sadly

I can't imagine why you would attempt to take AP physics without having taken trigonometry. Trig is absolutely essential for vector math in physics, which you will undoubtedly be presented with during your first physics course. Take trigonometry ASAP if you plan to learn physics.

 

[MRMooneyham]

I've hit another block with these kinds of problems
A particle of mass m begins at rest at time t = 0 from x = 7.9 meters and oscillates about its equilibrium position at x = 0 with a period of 5 seconds. If the position function is of the form



then the particle's velocity will be ______ m/s when t = 48 seconds.