Simple harmonic motion solved for time

AI Thread Summary
A particle of mass 0.50 kg undergoes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 0.55 m and a period of 4.3 seconds, starting from an initial displacement of -0.30 m. To find the time when the particle first reaches x = +0.3 m, the equation x(t) = Acos(ωt + Φ) is used, where the phase constant Φ is -2.15 rad. A common error arises from incorrectly using the total displacement instead of the position, leading to invalid calculations. It is crucial to set the calculator to radians for accurate results when calculating the arccosine. Correctly applying the formula with x = 0.3 m will yield the appropriate time for the particle's position.
MaxBicknell
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Homework Statement



A particle of mass 0.50 kg performs simple harmonic motion along the x-axis with amplitude 0.55m and period 4.3 seconds. The initial displacement of the particle is -0.30 m and it is traveling in the positive x-direction. The phase constant of the motion (Φ) = -2.15 rad. Find the time at which the particle first reaches x = +0.3m.
Relevant equations:

Homework Equations



x(t) = Acos(ωt + Φ)
f = 1/T = 0.2326 Hz
ω = 2πf = 1.4612 rad/s

The Attempt at a Solution



Rearrange for t:
t = [arccos(x/A) - Φ]/ω
t = [arccos(0.6/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
This is giving me a maths error because arccos(x > 1) does't exist, but 0.6m is the total displacement.
Even when I use 0.3 as my measurement for x I get a ridiculous value for t:

t = [arccos(0.3/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
t = 40.4423 s

Not sure where I'm going wrong. Any help would be great!
 
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MaxBicknell said:
A particle of mass 0.50 kg performs simple harmonic motion along the x-axis with amplitude 0.55m and period 4.3 seconds. The initial displacement of the particle is -0.30 m and it is traveling in the positive x-direction. The phase constant of the motion (Φ) = -2.15 rad. Find the time at which the particle first reaches x = +0.3m.
Relevant equations:

x(t) = Acos(ωt + Φ)
f = 1/T = 0.2326 Hz
ω = 2πf = 1.4612 rad/s​

My attempt:

Rearrange for t:
t = [arccos(x/A) - Φ]/ω
t = [arccos(0.6/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
This is giving me a maths error because arccos(x > 1) does't exist, but 0.6m is the total displacement.
Even when I use 0.3 as my measurement for x I get a ridiculous value for t:

t = [arccos(0.3/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
t = 40.4423 s​

Not sure where I'm going wrong. Any help would be great!
Where did the 0.6 for the displacement come from? The initial displacement was given as -0.3 m.
 
ehild said:
Where did the 0.6 for the displacement come from? The initial displacement was given as -0.3 m.

If the initial displacement is -0.3m and I am measuring the time to get to 0.3m, should x not be 0.6m?
 
MaxBicknell said:

Homework Statement



A particle of mass 0.50 kg performs simple harmonic motion along the x-axis with amplitude 0.55m and period 4.3 seconds. The initial displacement of the particle is -0.30 m and it is traveling in the positive x-direction. The phase constant of the motion (Φ) = -2.15 rad. Find the time at which the particle first reaches x = +0.3m.
Relevant equations:

Homework Equations


[/B]
x(t) = Acos(ωt + Φ)​
f = 1/T = 0.2326 Hz
ω = 2πf = 1.4612 rad/s

The Attempt at a Solution



Rearrange for t:
t = [arccos(x/A) - Φ]/ω
t = [arccos(0.6/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
This is giving me a maths error because arccos(x > 1) does't exist, but 0.6m is the total displacement.
Even when I use 0.3 as my measurement for x I get a ridiculous value for t:

t = [arccos(0.3/0.55) + 2.15]/1.4612
t = 40.4423 s​

Not sure where I'm going wrong. Any help would be great!
A) You *have* to use x=0.3 meter. This equation gives the position as a function of time, it does not give a displacement as function of time.

B) Your calculator must be un radians to get the correct inverse cos.
 
nrqed said:
A) You *have* to use x=0.3 meter. This equation gives the position as a function of time, it does not give a displacement as function of time.

B) Your calculator must be un radians to get the correct inverse cos.
Many thanks, turns out I'm just an idiot who doesn't know how to work a calculator.
 
MaxBicknell said:
If the initial displacement is -0.3m and I am measuring the time to get to 0.3m, should x not be 0.6m?
No. x is displacement with respect to the origin. Better to refer it as 'position'. You know that x=Acos(wt+Φ)=0.3. w, A, and Φ are given, you can find t, but yes, set the calculator to RAD.
 
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