Oscillating Ball on a Spring: Analyzing Motion

AI Thread Summary
A 0.1 kg ball oscillates on a spring with a spring constant of 2.5 N/m, and its velocity is 0.2 m/s at a position of -0.05 m. The amplitude can be determined using the relationship between position and velocity in harmonic motion, specifically by applying the equation sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 to eliminate trigonometric functions. The maximum acceleration occurs at the amplitude, and the ball's position when acceleration is at its maximum is at the extremes of its oscillation. The discussion emphasizes using given values to solve for amplitude and other parameters in simple harmonic motion. The participants successfully navigated the problem and arrived at the correct answer.
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A .1 kg ball oscillates horizontally on a spring on a frictionless Table. k is 2.5 N/m. Its velocity is .2m/s when x= -.05 m What is :

a. The Amplitude
b. The Max Acceleration
c. What is the balls position when a = a_{max}

This one I know. Here x=the amplitude because a will be greatest when the spring is at its extremes.

d. What is the speed of the ball at x = .03m

So I know: \omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}} = 5 rad/sec

T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}} = 2/5\pi

x=A\cos (\omega t + \phi_0)

v_x = -\omega A\sin (\omega t + \phi_0)

So:

x=A \cos (\frac{2\pi t}{T} +\phi_0)

I'm lost at how to use this info to solve the problem. Any hints?
 
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At certain time 't' velocity and position are given. Use this on the following to get 2 equations that you can solve. x=A\cos (\omega t + \phi_0)

v_x = -\omega A\sin (\omega t + \phi_0)

Use the fact that

sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta = 1Accelaration can be found by differentiating v_x with respect to 't' and then proceed to find a_{max} from there.
 
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OK I've tried adding the two equations together and I get:

x+v_x=A\cos(\omega t + \phi_0) - \omega A\sin (\omega t +\phi_0)

I still don't see where to go from here. Sorry, I'm trying to teach SHM to myself and i guess i didn't do as great of a job as I thought. :)
 
That is not what I said. Look at the following trig expression.

sin^2 \theta + cos^2 \theta = 1

I said use the above fact to some how get rid of sin and cosine from both of your equations

So you need to first plug in the given values for x and vx. At time t, x = -0.5 m and vx = 0.2 m/s. After you plug in these values, do the following to eliminate the trig parts from your equations. See what you get . You should be able to find the Amphlitude.

(\frac{x}{A}) ^2 + (\frac{v_x}{-wA}) ^2 = ?
 
Ok I got the answer. Thank you very much.
 
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