Oscillating in Simple Harmonic Motion?

AI Thread Summary
A 200-g object oscillates in simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 2 cm and a period of 0.4 seconds, and the task is to find its velocity at a displacement of 0.5 cm. The key equations involve the restoring force and the velocity formula, which requires the spring constant, k. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly calculating k using the period formula for a mass-spring system. A participant encountered a negative value under the radical when calculating velocity, indicating a potential error in their calculations. The community suggests showing step-by-step calculations to identify any mistakes.
jisrael93
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Homework Statement


A 200-g object is oscillating in simple harmonic monition with an amplitude of 2 cm and a period of 0.4 seconds. Find the velocity when its displacement from the equilibrium position is 0.5 cm.


Homework Equations


Restoring Force = -(constant force)(displacement)
Elastic PE = 1/2 k(s squared)
velocity = \sqrt{k/m(A squared - s squared}


The Attempt at a Solution


I just need help finding the constant force. If I can figure out how to solve that variable, I can finish the problem just fine.
 
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jisrael93 said:

Homework Statement


A 200-g object is oscillating in simple harmonic monition with an amplitude of 2 cm and a period of 0.4 seconds. Find the velocity when its displacement from the equilibrium position is 0.5 cm.

Homework Equations


Restoring Force = -(constant force)(displacement)
Elastic PE = 1/2 k(s squared)
velocity = \sqrt{k/m(A squared - s squared}

The Attempt at a Solution


I just need help finding the constant force. If I can figure out how to solve that variable, I can finish the problem just fine.

I think you mean the "force constant", k, for the spring. Why not consider the formula for the period of a mass-spring system?

Also try using the x2 and x2 icons in the edit frame header to produce superscripts and subscripts :wink:
 
gneill said:
Also try using the x2 and x2 icons in the edit frame header to produce superscripts and subscripts :wink:

I missed them too.
Hope they are repositioned at Quick Symbols and adding new symbol, 1/2.

Thank you.
 
gneill said:
I think you mean the "force constant", k, for the spring. Why not consider the formula for the period of a mass-spring system?

Also try using the x2 and x2 icons in the edit frame header to produce superscripts and subscripts :wink:

Thanks, I'm not sure how I missed that - I think the first part of this homework fried my brain before I got to this and I just forgot to look at my other equations! However, when I acquired a k value of 49.35 and did the equation in my original post for velocity, I acquired a negative number under the radical, therefore giving me a non-real answer. Am I doing something wrong?
 
jisrael93 said:
Thanks, I'm not sure how I missed that - I think the first part of this homework fried my brain before I got to this and I just forgot to look at my other equations! However, when I acquired a k value of 49.35 and did the equation in my original post for velocity, I acquired a negative number under the radical, therefore giving me a non-real answer. Am I doing something wrong?

Your value for k looks fine (you should include units when you present a number).

The equation you wrote for velocity is okay. Maybe finger problems on the calculator? :smile:
Why not show your calculation step by step?
 
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