Period, velocity, acceleration of a spring

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 6K views
lilkrazyrae
Messages
64
Reaction score
0
A .390kg mass is suspended from a spring. A force of 1.00N stretches it an additional 35.0mm. Find the force constant of the spring, the period of the motion which results when the mass is released, the maximum acceleration, and the maximum velocity.

Ok so the force constant is F=ky therefore F/y=k and k=1.00/.035=28.6 N/m
The period is T=2pi(sqrt(m/k))
=2pi(sqrt(.390/28.6))
=.734m
That is pretty straightforward but the velocity and the acceleration is what I have a problem with, I don't know if 35.0mm is the amplitude or if you have to find the amplitude.

I used v=(sqrt(k/m))(A)
=(sqrt(28.6/.390))(.0350)
=.300m/s

and for acceleration a=(k/m)(A)
=(28.6/.390)(.0350)
=2.57m/s^2

Are these methods right or should a different amplitude be used? Please help asap!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I didn't check your arithmetic, but your methods look good to me. And yes, you are using the correct amplitude. (When the mass is hanging undisturbed, it rests at the equilibrium position. When the mass is then given a displacement and released, it will oscillate about the equilibrium position with an amplitude equal to the initial displacement.)