Simple harmonic motion problem help.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a simple harmonic motion (SHM) problem with given initial conditions of displacement and velocity. The user attempts to derive the displacement equation but encounters confusion regarding the amplitude and phase angle. It is clarified that the amplitude can indeed be 0.25 m despite the non-zero velocity, as the initial conditions indicate a position between maximum and minimum. The correct approach involves recognizing that both sine and cosine forms of the equation are valid, and the user mistakenly used the wrong velocity value in their calculations. Ultimately, the confusion is resolved by properly substituting the initial conditions into the equations.
Eats Dirt
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Homework Statement



particle experiencing SHM with frequency f= 10 hz
find the displacement x at any time t for the following initial conditions.
@ t=0 x=0.25m v=0.1 m/s

Homework Equations



x=Asin(ωt+∅)
v=Aωcos(ωt+∅)

The Attempt at a Solution



So with frequency I find ω which then is subbed into the x=Asin(ωt+∅) @ t=0 to yield 0.25=Asin(∅).

I then get v=Aωcos(ωt+∅) and sub in for v and t and ω and get 0.25=A(20∏)cos(∅)
rearrange:

0.25/(20∏)=Acos(∅)

I then divide these equations by each other and rearrange to get:

arctan(50∏)= ∅

then with this I go back to 0.25=Asin(∅) and sub in ∅ rearrange to solve for A and its wrong! I get x=(0.16)sin(20∏t+1.56).

answer in book says x=0.25cos(20∏t)+0.00159sin(20∏t). it says also acceptable solutions would be x=0.25sin(20∏t+1.56) and its cos variant.

can someone please help I am confused about how they got this answer and how it is in that form.
 
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I like the books answers, I think you made a math error.

Edit, I like the books first answer, still can't get the books second expression to work?

The 1.56 in the books answer should be 1.5644?
 
Last edited:
Spinnor said:
I like the books answers, I think you made a math error.

Edit, I like the books first answer, still can't get the books second expression to work?

The 1.56 in the books answer should be 1.5644?

hurmm but why would Amplitude be 0.25 when it has a velocity that is not 0 meaning it is not at its maximum or minimum? and yes in the book they round.
 
Eats Dirt said:
hurmm but why would Amplitude be 0.25 when it has a velocity that is not 0 meaning it is not at its maximum or minimum? and yes in the book they round.

Because they give you the initial conditions at some point between max and min. The books answers (at least the first one) work when you properly substitute t = 0.
 
While x(t)=A\sin(\omega t+\phi) is a correct general solution to the harmonic oscillator, x(t)=A\cos(\omega t)+B\sin(\omega t) is also correct and has the added bonus that x(0)=A and x'(0)=B\omega.

Edit:
You can go from one to the other by using the identitiy:
\sin(a+b)=\sin(a)\cos(b)+\cos(a)\sin(b)
and going from x(t)=B\cos(\omega t+\phi) can be done with
\cos(a+b)=\cos(a)\cos(b)-\sin(a)\sin(b)
 
Last edited:
Eats Dirt said:
@ t=0 x=0.25m v=0.1 m/s
...
I then get v=Aωcos(ωt+∅) and sub in for v and t and ω and get 0.25=A(20∏)cos(∅)

The reason you can't get the books answer is because you used .25m for the velocity instead of .1m/s.
 
thank you all this is more clear now!
 
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