How to determine phase constant?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around determining the phase constant for a mass-spring system undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM). The original poster presents a scenario involving a 225g mass oscillating at a frequency of 4.00 Hz, with initial position and velocity values provided.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the phase constant using the velocity and position equations for SHM but encounters discrepancies in their results. Some participants suggest alternative methods, including using both position and velocity to find the tangent of the phase constant.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering insights and corrections regarding the calculations. There is a recognition of potential errors in the original poster's approach, and some guidance has been provided on how to correctly apply the equations for SHM.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the definitions and assumptions related to the equations used, including the form of the SHM equations and the implications of the signs of sine and cosine in determining the quadrant of the phase constant.

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Homework Statement



A 225g mass attached to a horizontal spring oscillates at a frequency of 4.00 Hz. At t=0s, the mass is at x = 5.00 cm and has v_x = -37.0cm/s . Determine the phase constant.

Homework Equations



velocity = v(t)
v(t) = Aω·cos( ωt + ϕ )

The Attempt at a Solution



-37 cm/s = ( 5.2122*10^-2 m )( 25.133 rad/sec )cos( 0 + ϕ )
-0.282 = cos( ϕ )
ϕ = cos⁻¹( -0.282 )
ϕ = 106.40º = 1.857 radians ◄---

However that answer is wrong, and I am not sure why. Can anyone help?
 
Last edited:
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The result is correct, but you could have used both x(0) and v(0) to calculate the tangent of the phase constant, and decide about the quadrant by examining the sign of the sign and cosine.
It is possible that the SHM was defined as x(t)=cos(ωt + ϕ). Try it. ehild
 
Last edited:
So instead of using -37 use 5 instead? I tried that and got 1.5324 radians and it's still wrong, lmao. Hmm..
 
Last edited:
How did you get 1.5324 radians?

If x=Acos(ωt+φ), v=-Aωsin(ωt+φ), X(0)=5=Acosφ, v(0)=-37=-Aωsinφ:

tanφ=7.4/(8π)...

Both sine and cosine are positive so the angle is in the first quadrant.

ehild
 
Ah, thanks I see where I made the error. It was .2863rad. Thanks a lot!
 
Actually now I am having trouble with the last part, lol. The question is to determine the position at t = 5.00s .

I did this:

Position = s(t)
= A·sin[ ωt + ϕ ]
= ( .052122 m )sin[ (25.133 s⁻¹)( 5.0 s ) + .2893 ]

And got .01478 m, but that is wrong. Any help?
 
But we have figured out that the position was x=Acos( ωt + ϕ) with ϕ=0.2893...


ehild
 
ehild said:
But we have figured out that the position was x=Acos( ωt + ϕ) with ϕ=0.2893...


ehild

Wow, I didn't even realize, hah. Thanks again for all the help!
 

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