What is the relationship between simple harmonic motion and amplitude?

In summary, the conversation discusses problems involving unknowns and provides solutions using mathematical equations for calculating period, amplitude, velocity, and acceleration in simple harmonic motion. The problems involve different scenarios such as changing mass, amplitude, and spring constant. The conversation also discusses differentiation in relation to SHM and provides an additional problem for practice.
  • #1
dustybray
10
0
Hi,

I'm having trouble with this problem because I don't know how to deal with all these unknowns:

4. A block attached to a spring with unknown spring constant oscillates with a period of 2.0 s. What is the period if :

a. The mass is doubled?
b. The mass is halved?
c. The amplitude is doubled?
d. The spring constant is doubled?

I think I should use T = 2π * sqrt( m / k ), but what are m and k... ??

Also, what relates this to amplitude?


Hopefully I'm doing this problem correctly, but I don't know how to get acceleration:

7. The bow of a destroyer undergoes simple harmonic vertical pitching motion with a period of 8.0 s and an amplitude of 2.0 m.

a. What is the maximum vertical velocity of the destroyer’s bow?

f = 1/T = .125rev/s

ω = 2πf = .785rad/s

v = ωr = (.785rad/s) (2m) = 1.57m/s

b. What is the maximum acceleration?

??

c. An 80 kg sailor is standing on a scale in the bunkroom in the bow. What are the maximum and minimum readings on the scale in Newtons?

80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 + a)

80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 - a)


Thanks,

dusty...
 
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  • #2
m = the mass, k = spring constant

You will have to write your answers in terms of 'T'.

Also, what relates this to amplitude?

Well amplitude isn't in the equation for the period, so does it really affect T?

I have to go to a lecture now... I'll finsh this reply when I return.
(Quickly: if x = A Sin( wt),

Then - dx/dt = v = Aw Cos(wt) - You noticed that v is a maximun at Cos(wt) = 1. (You used 'r' for amplitude, whereas I use 'A').

So dv/dt = a. Hope this helps,

Regards,
Sam
 
  • #3
Ok,

I'm not sure if I understood, but I've reworked the problems:

For this problem, I hope I used logical mathematics and not contrived black magic...

4. A block attached to a spring with unknown spring constant oscillates with a period of
2.0 s. What is the period if :

T = 2π * sqrt( m / k )

a. The mass is doubled?

T = 2π * sqrt( 2 * (m / k) )

T = sqrt( 2 ) ( 2π * sqrt( m / k ) )

T = sqrt( 2 ) * 2s

T = 2.83s

b. The mass is halved?

T = sqrt( .5 ) * 2s

T = 1.41s

c. The amplitude is doubled?

2s – not dependant on amplitude

d. The spring constant is doubled?

T = sqrt( .5 ) * 2s

T = 1.41s


So, do you mean that a = v[max] / period ?

7. The bow of a destroyer undergoes simple harmonic vertical pitching motion with a period of 8.0 s and an amplitude of 2.0 m.

a. What is the maximum vertical velocity of the destroyer’s bow?

f = 1/T = .125rev/s

ω = 2πf = .785rad/s

v = ωr = (.785rad/s) (2m) = 1.57m/s

b. What is the maximum acceleration?

a = Δv / Δt

a = (1.57m/s) / (8s) = .2m/s^2

c. An 80 kg sailor is standing on a scale in the bunkroom in the bow. What are the
maximum and minimum readings on the scale in Newtons?

F = ma


F[max] = 80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 + .2m/s^2 ) = 800N

F[min] = 80kg * ( 9.8m/s^2 - .2m/s^2 ) = 768N


And here is an aditional problem which I've worked, if you don't mind checking that I'm on the right path.

6. The position of a particle is given by 0.07 cos (6п t) m, where t is in s.

a. What are the frequency and the period?

ω = 2πf = 6π

f = ω / 2π = 6π / 2π

f = 3rev/s


T = 1/f = .33s

b. What is the amplitude?

.07m

c. What is the maximum speed?

v = rω = (.07m) (6π rad/s)

v = .0037m/s

d. What is the maximum acceleration?

a = Δv / Δt

a = (.0037m/s) / (.33s) = .0112m/s^2

e. What is the first time after t = 0 that the particle is at the equilibrium position?

cos (6π*t) = 0

6π*t = cos^-1 ( 0 )

t = cos^-1 ( 0 ) / 6π

t = .083s

f. What is the first time the particle is at x = 0 and moving to the right?

cos (6π*t) = 0

6π*t = cos^-1 ( 0 ) = (1/2)π, but going left

(1/2)π + π = (3/2)π

t = (3/2)π / 6π

t = .25s

Thanks for all the help,

dusty...
 
  • #4
I agree with all of your answers to question 4.

I'm sorry, I seem to have confused you with Question 7, let me try again...

We can say the the position x for an object undergoing SHM can be written as:

x = A Sin (wt)

By definition, if we differentiate a function of displacement with respect to time (dx/dt), we get velocity. So...

v = dx/dt = d/dt(A Sin wt) = Aw Cos wt

Also by definition if we diferentiate a function of velocity with respect to time (dv/dt), we get acceleration. So can you now differentiate:

d/dt(Aw Cos (wt)) If you can't don't worry... I'm just trying to boost your knowledge of SHM. If you understand this, then great! If not, let me tell you that:

amax = Aw2 (this equation is given in exams that I have taken in sixth-form and University).

Let me know how you get on,
Sam
 

1. What is harmonic motion?

Harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion in which the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium. This means that the object will oscillate back and forth around a central point.

2. What factors affect the period of harmonic motion?

The period of harmonic motion is affected by the mass of the object, the spring constant, and the amplitude of the motion. A larger mass or spring constant will result in a longer period, while a larger amplitude will result in a shorter period.

3. How is the period of a pendulum related to the length of the string?

The period of a pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of the length of the string. This means that as the length of the string increases, the period of the pendulum will also increase.

4. What is the difference between simple harmonic motion and damped harmonic motion?

Simple harmonic motion is a type of harmonic motion in which there is no external force acting on the object, resulting in a constant amplitude. Damped harmonic motion, on the other hand, is when there is an external force, such as friction, that causes the amplitude to decrease over time.

5. How does the frequency of harmonic motion change with an increase in mass?

The frequency of harmonic motion is inversely proportional to the square root of the mass. This means that as the mass increases, the frequency will decrease. This relationship is known as the mass-spring system equation.

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