Simple Harmonic Motion: Finding displacement at given time t

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in simple harmonic motion, specifically involving the displacement of a mass on a spring as a function of time. The original poster presents an equation for displacement and attempts to calculate the position of the mass at a specific time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to substitute a value for time into the displacement equation but encounters an unexpected result. A participant questions whether the calculator is set to the correct mode (degrees or radians), which leads to a realization about the calculator settings.

Discussion Status

The discussion has identified a potential source of error related to calculator settings, which may have contributed to the original poster's confusion. Participants are engaging in a light-hearted exchange regarding the mistake, indicating a supportive atmosphere.

Contextual Notes

There is an implication that the original poster may have overlooked the importance of calculator settings in solving the problem, which is a common issue in physics calculations.

Vanessa Avila
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Homework Statement


A 1.10 kg mass on a spring has displacement as a function of time given by the equation
x(t)=(7.40cm)cos[(4.16rad/s)t−2.42rad].

Find the position of the mass at t=1.00s;

Homework Equations


x = Acos(ωt+∅)

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to just plug in the time t in that equation to solve for the displacement, but I'm getting 0.074 which apparently is not the right answer:

x = 0.0740m*cos(4.16rad/s(1.00s) - 2.42rad)
x = 0.074
 
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Is your calculator's mode set for degrees or radians?
 
aha! it's in degrees!
gneill said:
Is your calculator's mode set for degrees or radians?
 
Vanessa Avila said:
aha! it's in degrees!
:smile:
 
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gneill said:
:smile:
Thanks a lot lol. I didn't catch that at all. I'm so stupid XD
 
Vanessa Avila said:
Thanks a lot lol. I didn't catch that at all. I'm so stupid XD
Eh. It happens more often than you might think, and to some very clever people, too!
 
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