Mechanical vibrations: colliding blocks

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the analysis of mechanical vibrations resulting from colliding blocks, specifically addressing the formula for natural frequency, ##w_{0} = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m+M}}##. The user encounters a negative value when calculating the damped frequency, ##\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m+M} - \beta^2}##, indicating an underdamped oscillation scenario. The conversation also touches on the calculation of amplitude, questioning the validity of ##A_{0} = 0## in the context of elastic collisions. The consensus is that the negative value arises from an overly large damping coefficient, and the correct approach involves using only the mass attached to the spring for accurate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical vibrations and oscillatory motion
  • Familiarity with spring-mass systems and Hooke's Law
  • Knowledge of damping coefficients and their effects on oscillations
  • Basic principles of conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in collisions
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  • Study the effects of damping on oscillatory systems, focusing on underdamped conditions
  • Learn about the derivation and implications of the natural frequency formula in spring-mass systems
  • Explore the relationship between amplitude, damping, and time in oscillatory motion
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Students and professionals in mechanical engineering, physicists studying oscillatory systems, and anyone interested in the dynamics of colliding masses and their effects on mechanical vibrations.

vxr
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Homework Statement
One block of mass ##m = 0.20 kg## traveling at velocity ##v = 5 m/s## collides elastically with a second block of mass ##M = 0.80 kg## resting on a frictionless surface and connected to a spring with elastic force constant ##k = 80 N/m##.
What is the angular velocity ##\omega##, period ##T##, and the amplitude ##A## of block’s oscillations? Determine the respective values for the case when damping effects will appear with overall damping coefficient ##\beta = 21/s##.
Relevant Equations
##\omega = \sqrt{\omega_{0}^2 - \beta^2}##
I saw this general formula:

##w_{0} = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}##

In my case both masses after collision create connected system, so ##w_{0} = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m+M}}##

Plugging it into ##\omega = \sqrt{\omega_{0}^2 - \beta^2}## gives :

##\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m+M} - \beta^2} = \sqrt{80 - 21^2} < 0##

It's a root of negative value. Why is that happening? Am I doing something wrong, or perhaps the damping coefficient is relatively too large in this task?

One more question: I know how to calculate the period ##T##, but what about amplitude ##A##? Is it simply: ##A = A_{0}e^{-\beta t} \quad \land \quad A_{0} = 0 \Longrightarrow A = 0##? If this is the case, why is this ##A_{0} = 0## true?
 
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The statement "collides elastically" usually means that the masses separate after the collision, not that they stick together. Treat the collision as occurring instantaneously with momentum and kinetic energy being conserved to find an expression for the velocity of the mass connected to the spring immediately after the collision.
 
vxr said:
It's a root of negative value. Why is that happening?
@kuruman is right that you should only have used the mass attached to the spring, but that is not the explanation for the negative value. Clearly you could change the question to make it a coalescing collision.
The value is negative when it is an underdamped oscillation. See
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/oscda.html
 

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