How Do You Calculate the Damping Coefficient in a Spring-Oscillation System?

[Goldenwind]

Homework Statement

A hard-boiled egg moves on the end of a spring with force constant k. It is released with an amplitude 0.300 m. A damping force F_x = -bv acts on the egg. After it oscillates for 5.00 s, the amplitude of the motion has decreased to 0.100 m.
m = 50.0g (0.05kg)
k = 25.0N/m

Calculate the magnitude of the dampening coefficient b.

Homework Equations

F = ma

F = -kx

v = \frac{dx}{dt}

a = \frac{dv}{dt}

F_x = -bv

There is another that I can't remember for sure... IF I'm right, it goes like this:
y_0 = A_0 e^{-t/\tau}

The Attempt at a Solution

First, I don't know how the egg "moves". Is it hanging vertically, in which I can take a = g = 9.81m/s? Or what other orientation is it in?

Secondly, while I'm fairly sure I need to use y_0 = A_0 e^{-t/\tau}, like I did in my Physics Lab, I'm not too sure how the variable b comes into all of this. I was taught that \tau helped control the dampening of an oscillation, and was measured in seconds, or something similar.

This is as far as I've gotten. Not sure where to turn next.

 

[Astronuc]

First, I don't know how the egg "moves". Is it hanging vertically, in which I can take ? Or what other orientation is it in?

It doesn't matter. The mass of the egg, spring constant and damping factor matter. The orientation would simply affect the equilibrium position of the spring.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/oscda.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/permot2.html#c3