# Harmonic motion help.

1. May 14, 2010

### morphonic

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

While visiting friends at Cal State Chico, you pay a visit to the Crazy Horse Saloon. This fine establishment features a 200- kg mechanical bucking bull that has a mechanism that makes it move vertically in simple harmonic motion. Whether the “bull” has a rider or not, it moves with the same amplitude 2.70 m and frequency 0.342 Hz. Being from Texas you decide to ride it the “macho” way by NOT holding on. To no ones surprise you go flying out of the saddle. While waiting for your bruises and pride to heal, you decide to calculate how fast upward you were moving when you left the saddle.

2. Relevant equations

I do not even know where to start on this one any help would greatly be appreciated

3. The attempt at a solution

same as above

2. May 14, 2010

### novop

You have to determine the y-position at which you fly off the saddle. When does the force pushing you up (due to simple harmonic motion) equal the force of gravity?

Hint: use $$F=ma$$ and $$F=mg$$. You'll need to use the fact that $$a=w^2y$$.

When you have this, you can find your velocity using the energy equation:
$$1/2kA^2 = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2ky^2$$

Does this help?

Last edited: May 14, 2010