Hooke's Law Direction of Force

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Hooke's Law, expressed as F = -kx, in the context of a mass-spring system. The user questions the formulation of the equation of motion for a mass M2 attached to a spring with spring constant K2, specifically regarding the signs in the equation. The correct formulation is M2 * z2'' + K2 * (z2'' - z1'') = 0, where the positive sign indicates that the restoring force from the spring acts in the direction opposite to the displacement, aligning with the principles of equilibrium and motion in dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and its mathematical representation
  • Basic knowledge of Newton's second law of motion
  • Familiarity with differential equations in physics
  • Concept of equilibrium in mechanical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the equation of motion for mass-spring systems
  • Explore the implications of restoring forces in dynamic systems
  • Learn about the stability of equilibrium points in mechanical systems
  • Investigate the role of damping in oscillatory motion
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, mechanical engineers, and anyone studying dynamics and oscillatory systems will benefit from this discussion.

thomas49th
Messages
645
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Hi I know for Hooke's Law F=-kx where -ve sign implies a restoring force back to equilibrium in the opposite direction of x.

My question is:
I have a mass being displaced attached to a spring - consider M2 and z2(t) and K2 in the link below http://gyazo.com/dfba23fbc16916940c25a02b1d96566e

So as z2 move downwards (in the image) the spring stretches and a the restoring force acts upwards. The total force is going to be the force from the spring plus the force from the displaced mass, which is

[tex]M_{2}\ddot{z_{2}} - K_{2}(\ddot{z_{2}} - \ddot{z_{1}}) = 0[/tex]
note the -ve sign infront of the k2.

but why do we write a PLUS instead?

[tex]M_{2}\ddot{z_{2}} + K_{2}(\ddot{z_{2}} - \ddot{z_{1}})) = 0[/tex]
(see answers below)

So, basically why do we not write

[tex]M_{2}\ddot{z_{2}} - K_{2}(\ddot{z_{2}} - \ddot{z_{1}})) = 0[/tex]

as doesn't that make more sense. Because then the force of the spring restoration force equals the mass force, which is when the mass is at rest.The answers
http://gyazo.com/80ef4fc8e73dd510bd8c6489758471e7
 
Physics news on Phys.org
come on someone surely must know, it's just a matter of signs
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 76 ·
3
Replies
76
Views
7K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K