Hanging of Unknown Mass on a spring

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a mass hanging from a spring, which elongates by 8.2 cm. Participants are exploring how to determine the period of oscillation for the mass-spring system, given the displacement from equilibrium.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the relevant equations for both the displacement of the spring and the period of oscillation. There is a focus on understanding how to apply Newton's second law in the context of the problem, particularly in the absence of known mass or force values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing equations related to static equilibrium and the forces acting on the mass. Some are attempting to clarify their understanding of the relationships between the variables involved, while others express confusion about how to proceed without specific numerical values.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of information regarding the mass and the spring constant, which is central to solving the problem. Participants are navigating through the implications of these unknowns while discussing the foundational equations that govern the system.

Hypnos_16
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Homework Statement


When a mass is hung from a spring, the spring elongates by 8.2cm. What will the period of the resulting oscillations be if the mass is displaced from equilibrium?

x = 8.2cm OR 0.082m


Homework Equations



Honestly, i don't have nor do i know of any equations to use for this. I feel like i have zero information here.

The Attempt at a Solution



?
Help.
 
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What is the equation related to the displacement of a spring?

What is the equation for the period of a spring-mass oscillator?

See? You did know something!
 
The equation for displacement of a string is:
x = Acos(ωt)

as for the period, it's just the time it take for oscillation, i didn't think there was an actual equation for it
 
You know the eq'n T=2(pi)[tex]\sqrt{m/k}[/tex]

Now, use Newtons 2nd law to find the answer.
 
How can i use Newton's second law if i don't know the mass, acceleration, or the force? All i have is the length of the spring, and two equations but nothing to fill in for them.
 
Hypnos_16 said:
How can i use Newton's second law if i don't know the mass, acceleration, or the force? All i have is the length of the spring, and two equations but nothing to fill in for them.

The nice thing about variables is that you don't have to fill any of them in until the very end!
 
I'm still not getting it, i don't see how i can get an answer out of what i have there. It's just not clicking
 
Hypnos_16 said:
I'm still not getting it, i don't see how i can get an answer out of what i have there. It's just not clicking

You hang a mass M on a spring (no oscillations yet!). What's the formula for the displacement of the spring?
 
Hi Hypnos_16! :wink:
Hypnos_16 said:
When a mass is hung from a spring, the spring elongates by 8.2cm.

Take questions like this step by step.

What is the equation for this part of the question (static equilibrium)? :smile:
 
  • #10
When a weight is attached and it's in static equilibrium x(length it stretch) = mg / k...if i remember correctly
 
  • #11
don't "remember" …

work it out! …

what are the two equations that govern this situation?
 
  • #12
The equations are x = mg / k
and F = kx.
 
  • #13
Hypnos_16 said:
The equations are x = mg / k
and F = kx.

hmm :redface: …

The equations are F = mg
and F = kx.

So mg = kx (ie, your memory was correct! :smile:).

ok, now you know g and you know x …

so what can you find? :wink:​
 
  • #14
tiny-tim said:
hmm :redface: …

The equations are F = mg
and F = kx.

So mg = kx (ie, your memory was correct! :smile:).

ok, now you know g and you know x …

so what can you find? :wink:​

m/k! :)
 
  • #15
Yup! :biggrin:

soooo … ? :wink:​
 

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