Simple Harmonic Motion of a spring

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the position of an object oscillating on a spring after being displaced. A mass of 450g stretches the spring by 35.0cm, allowing for the determination of the spring constant (k) using the formula k = mg/δ, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²) and δ is the stretch of the spring. The equations of motion for simple harmonic motion are provided, specifically x(t) = Acos(ωt + φ) and ω = √(k/m). The initial conditions for the oscillation are also discussed, focusing on the displacement and velocity at t=0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hooke's Law and spring constants
  • Familiarity with simple harmonic motion equations
  • Basic knowledge of forces and mass (Newton's laws)
  • Ability to perform calculations involving gravitational acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the spring constant k using k = mg/δ
  • Explore the derivation of the equations for simple harmonic motion
  • Learn how to determine initial conditions for oscillatory motion
  • Investigate the effects of damping on simple harmonic motion
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and oscillations, as well as educators looking for examples of simple harmonic motion in practical applications.

mickellowery
Messages
69
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A hanging spring stretches by 35.0cm when an object of mass 450g is hung on it at rest. In this situation we define its position as x=0. The object is pulled down an additional 18.0cm and released from rest to oscillate without friction. What is its position x at a moment 84.4s later?

Homework Equations


x(t)= Acos([tex]\omega[/tex]t+[tex]\Phi[/tex])
[tex]\omega[/tex]=[tex]\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that I need to use these two equations, but I don't know k. So I was thinking that I need to use the information that a 450g weight stretches the spring 35.0cm to find the spring constant k. I just wasn't sure how to do that. I was thinking I should just multiply 450 by 35 and divide by 9.8 because it is hanging, but this didn't work for me.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
mickellowery said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that I need to use these two equations, but I don't know k. So I was thinking that I need to use the information that a 450g weight stretches the spring 35.0cm to find the spring constant k.

Yes, good. So the weight would be equal to the force of the spring. So kδ=mg meaning that k/m = g/δ.

ω=√(k/m)

Then you have x(t)= Acos(ωt+φ)

They tell you they stretch it 18 cm and then release, so what is x(0) and x'(0) ?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K