Simple harmonic motion problem help.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a simple harmonic motion (SHM) problem involving a particle with a given frequency and initial conditions. The original poster attempts to find the displacement of the particle at any time based on the provided parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between frequency, amplitude, and initial conditions. There are attempts to derive the displacement equation using trigonometric identities and questioning the validity of the amplitude given the initial velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion regarding the original poster's calculations and the book's answers. There is acknowledgment of potential mathematical errors and discussions about the implications of initial conditions on amplitude. Guidance is offered regarding the conversion between sine and cosine forms of the displacement equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the calculations and the book's answers, particularly regarding the interpretation of initial conditions and the use of velocity in the equations. There is mention of rounding in the book's solutions.

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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