S.H.M of the midpoint of a guitar string

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) of the midpoint of a guitar string, described by a sinusoidal function. The original poster is working through calculations related to the period, maximum speed, maximum acceleration, and initial conditions of the motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster calculates the period, maximum speed, and maximum acceleration using provided formulas. They express doubt regarding the large value obtained for maximum acceleration and its consistency with other calculated values.

Discussion Status

Some participants affirm the calculations, while others suggest comparing the acceleration with the maximum speed and period to assess reasonableness. There is a note about the initial acceleration being negative, indicating a potential point of clarification.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions formatting issues with LaTeX and expresses a desire for feedback on their presentation. There is also a mention of spam protection affecting their ability to edit posts.

DuoASM
Hi guys, I would be grateful if you could help me out with this problem, I've worked though it myself, but my answer to part c is very large, which is making me doubt my answer, and in turn making me doubt my answer to part b

Homework Statement


The midpoint of a guitar string executes s.h.m with a motion following the form:
$$x(t) = A\ \textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
where:
  • $$A = 1.60mm =1.60 \times 10^{-3} m$$
  • $$\omega = 2.76 \times 10^3 s^{-1}$$
  • $$\Phi = \frac{\pi}{2}$$
a) What is the period of the oscillation of the spring?
b)What is the maximum speed of the string during this motion?
c)what is the maximum magnitude of the acceleration of the string?
d) Determine the initial displacement, velocity and acceleration of the midpoint of the spring

Homework Equations


$$x(t) = A\ \textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
$$v(t) = A\omega\ \textrm{cos}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
$$a(t) = -A\omega^2\ \textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
$$ T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


a) using $$ T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega}$$
$$ T = \frac{2\pi}{2.76 \times 10^3 s^{-1}} = 2.28 \times 10^{-3}s$$

b) Maximum speed is obtained when $$\textrm{cos}(\omega t + \Phi) = 1$$
So maximum speed is given by: $$ A\omega \times 1 = 1.60 \times 10^{-3}m \times 2.76 \times 10^3 s^{-1} =4.42ms^{-1} $$

c) Similarly, maximum magnitude of acceleration is found when $$\textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi) = 1$$
So: $$ |a| =A\omega^2 = 1.60 \times 10^{-3}m \times (2.76 \times 10^3 s^{-1})^2 = 1.22 \times 10^4 ms^{-2}$$

d) The initial values are found at $$ t = 0 $$ so it follows that $$ \omega t = 0$$
so, for the initial displacement: $$x(t) = A\ \textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
$$ x(0) =1.60 \times 10^{-3} m \ \textrm{sin}(0 + \frac{\pi}{2}) = 1.60 \times 10^{-3} m$$
For initial velocity, as $$ \textrm{cos}(0 + \frac{\pi}{2}) = 0$$
then it follows that: $$v(0) = A\omega\ \textrm{cos}( 0+ \frac{\pi}{2}) = 0$$
And for the initial acceleration:
$$a(t) = -A\omega^2\ \textrm{sin}(\omega t + \Phi)$$
$$a (0)= 1.60 \times 10^{-3}m \times (2.76 \times 10^3 s^{-1})^2 \textrm{sin}(0 + \frac{\pi}{2})$$ $$a(0)= 1.22 \times 10^4 ms^{-2}$$I hope the formatting is okay, its the first time I have tried using LaTex. If there is anything wrong please point it out, it will all help me improve. Thank you for your time in advance!
 
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It all looks ok.

For the acceleration, compare to the other numbers you have. The maximum speed is 4.42 m/s, with a period of 2.28 ms. You need quite an acceleration to reach such a speed in a fraction of a period.
 
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Initial acceleration should be negative, otherwise looks OK.
 
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DrClaude said:
It all looks ok.

For the acceleration, compare to the other numbers you have. The maximum speed is 4.42 m/s, with a period of 2.28 ms. You need quite an acceleration to reach such a speed in a fraction of a period.

Thanks for the quick reply, when you phrase it like that it definitely makes more sense.

mjc123 said:
Initial acceleration should be negative, otherwise looks OK.
I noticed that typo after I posted, I tried to change it but I think I was too quick, the spam protection stopped me from changing it
 

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