Simple Harmonic Motion of a hanging spring

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 450 g object oscillating on a vertically hanging spring, with the object released from a compressed position. The objective is to determine the velocity of the object after 3 seconds of release, utilizing concepts from simple harmonic motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of angular frequency and amplitude, with some questioning the initial conditions and the correct phase angle. There is uncertainty about the correct interpretation of amplitude and its relation to the initial position of the object.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the amplitude and phase angle, suggesting that the amplitude should be considered as the maximum displacement from equilibrium. Others are exploring different interpretations of the phase angle and its implications on the velocity calculation. There is no clear consensus on the correct values to use, and multiple interpretations are being examined.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem statement and are attempting to reconcile their calculations with the expected physical behavior of the system. There is mention of potential errors in the choice of trigonometric functions in the velocity equation.

Winegar12
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Homework Statement


A 450 g object oscillates from a vertically hanging light spring once every .55 s. The object is released with the spring compressed by 10 cm from the equilibrium position. What is the velocity of the object 3.00 s after it is released?

Homework Equations


v=-\omegaAsin(\omegat+\phi0)
\DeltaL=mg/k

The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so I have found that \omega is equal to 11.4. I tried to figure out k by putting it into the 2nd equation and found that it is equal to .075. I then subtracted that from .1 m (10 cm) which I thought was suppose to give me the A which I found to be .025. Obviously t is 3 s. I thought for \phi it was equal to pi, but apparently I am wrong. Because when I put it into the equation to get velocity the answer is wrong. So I'm pretty sure that I have my angular frequency right, but I am either wrong on my amplitude (A) or on \phi. But I'm not really sure. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!
 
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Your amplitude is 0.1, the amplitude is how far it is compressed at the starting point by conservation of energy. \phi is 0 as your intial position is at the position where amplitude is max i.e. where \omega t + \phi = 0 and then you should be able to get an answer.

I got -1.10 as an answer
 
I tried using 0 as well, but that answer isn't right either. I know the final answer is -.335 m/s...
 
Amplitude is definitely 0, otherwise we need a new source of energy, as the mass is at rest at t=0, and \phi must be similarly so for the same reason as above.

I've just noticed that I used cos instead of sin in my original answer, using sin I get an answer of -0.322m/s which is a bit better.
 

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