How Do You Calculate Energy Loss in a Damped Harmonic Oscillator?

[captainemeric]

Homework Statement

The displacement amplitude of a lightly damped oscillator with m=0.250kg and k=6400N/m is observed to decrease by 15% in exactly five minutes
a) Calculate the fraction (in%0 of the initial mechanical energy of the oscillator that has been converted to other forms of energy (such as thermal energy) in the five-minute interval.
b)Calculate the Q value of this damped oscillator by first calculation omega initial and gama

Homework Equations

omega initial = sqrt(k/m)
gama = b/m
x = A initial exp^(gama t/2)
TE = 1/2kA initial exp^(-gamat)
A(t) = A inital exp^(bt/2m)
T = 2pisqrt(m/k)

The Attempt at a Solution

I have calculated omega inital = 160rads and the period to be .04s. I know there is the relationship between the displacement amplitude and the total energy but I cannot seem to figure out how to relate them. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[voko]

At maximum displacement, what are the kinetic and potential energies of the oscillator?

 

[captainemeric]

At maximum displacement, the kinetic energy should be zero. Should I be able to solve for the potential energy? I am so confused as to how to approach this. I know I have been given enough info but I feel like I don't have enough to find any additional values.

 

[voko]

So at maximum displacement the entire energy is the potential energy. What is the potential energy of a spring?

 

[captainemeric]

1/2ka^2. How do i find this without being given a?

 

[voko]

What is a? What is amplitude?

 

[captainemeric]

Ok, so I finally figured out I can find the % of TE in relation to the % of A lost. Which I can also use to find b which I can then use to find Q.
A=Ainital exp^bt/2m where A/Ainital will equal .85 then the only unknown is b.
And TE goes as A^2 so if A is 85% then TE is .85^2 or ~72%