Simple harmonic motion of a spring and ball

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of a ball placed on two springs with different spring constants. The first spring has a constant of 575 N/m and a length of 25.0 cm, while the second spring has a constant of 325 N/m and a length of 15.0 cm. Participants clarify that the system is in equilibrium, meaning the forces acting on the ball must balance out. The downward gravitational force on the ball must equal the combined upward forces from both springs. The focus is on understanding the equilibrium condition rather than oscillation dynamics.
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Homework Statement


a ball that has been placed on top of a coil spring with a spring constant of 575 N/m and a length (h1) of 25.0 cm. As the ball compresses the spring, it contacts a second spring that has a spring constant of 325 N/m and a length (h2) of 15.0 cm. If the ball is 12.5 cm above the table when it reaches its equilibrium position, what is the mass of the ball?


Homework Equations


t=2pie√m/k, g= 4pie^2l/T^2


The Attempt at a Solution


would i add up the lengths, and add up the acclerations to find the total? in all the above formulas, i don't have enough variables to figure it out.
 
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You're making it too difficult - nothing is oscillating, so you don't have to solve a simple harmonic oscillator or find an acceleration. In fact, nothing is moving - at the end of the problem, everything is in equilibrium.

So, when everything is in equilibrium, the sum of all the forces must be equal to ... what?

What is the downward force on the mass due to gravity?
What is the upward force on the mass due to Spring 1?
What is the upward force on the mass due to Spring 2?
 

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