Simple Harmonic Motion w/ postion function

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 500 g object undergoing simple harmonic motion, described by the displacement function x(t) = (3.50m)sin{[(π/2)t + 5π/4]}. Participants are exploring various properties of this motion, including amplitude, period, frequency, linear velocity, linear acceleration, kinetic energy, potential energy, and total mechanical energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the motion, confirming it as simple harmonic motion based on the sinusoidal position function. They attempt to calculate various parameters such as amplitude, period, frequency, and energies, while questioning the correctness of their calculations and assumptions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the relationships between kinetic and potential energy, suggesting that maximum kinetic energy occurs when velocity is maximized. Others are exploring different interpretations of the calculations and questioning the results obtained in parts (g), (h), and (i). There is a recognition of the need to review energy concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding specific calculations and the relationships between kinetic and potential energy, indicating a need for further clarification on these concepts. The discussion reflects a mix of correct and potentially incorrect reasoning, particularly in the interpretation of energy conservation.

xxsteelxx
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The problem statement, with all known data/variables.
A 500 g object is moving a horizontal frictionless surface. Its displacement from the origin is given by the equation: x(t) = (3.50m)\sin{[(\frac{\pi}{2})t + \frac{5\pi}{4}]}.

a)what kind of motion is this?

b)what is the amplitude of this motion?

c)what is the period of this motion?

d)what is the frequency of this motion?

e)what is the linear velocity of this motion?

f)what is the linear acceleration of this motion?

g)what is the maximun kinetic energy of this system?

h)What is the maximum potential energy of this system?

i)What is the total mechanical energy of this system?

Given :
postion function x(t)
Amplitude: A=3.50m
mass = 500g= .500kg
no friction is present

Homework Equations


x'(t)=v(t)
v'(t)=a(t)
KE(t)= \frac{1}{2} m{[v(t)]}^2
PE(t)= \frac{1}{2} k{[x(t)]}^2
E_{mech} = \frac{1}{2} k{A}^2
T= \frac{2\pi}{\omega}
x(t)= A\sin{[ t\omega + \phi]}
f=\frac{1}{T}
\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}

The Attempt at a Solution



a) since the postion function is sinusoidal, this reflects simple harmonic motion.
b) Given: A=3.50m (sinusoidal function)
c)T= \frac{2\pi}{\omega}
T= \frac{2\pi}{\frac{\pi}{2}}
T=4

d) linear frequency f=\frac{1}{T}
f=\frac{1}{4}

e)differentiating x(t) gives v(t)= 3.50(\frac{\pi}{2})\cos{(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})}
f)differentiating v(t) gives a(t)= -3.50(\frac{{\pi}^2}{4})sin{(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})}
g) using the kinetic energy formula gives KE(t)= \frac{1}{2} (.500kg){[3.50(\frac{\pi}{2}) \cos(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})]}^2
To find max KE, we to find the time that velocity is greatest. Using velocity graph, we see max values at t=0,4: Therefore v is greatest at t=4. Plugging this in KE(t), we get KE(4)=3.778 Joules

h)First solve for k, T= \frac{2\pi}{\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}}
I get k= .20264, and I get stuck here.

i) Using total mech energy equation I obtain total energy to be 1.24117 J

I sense that something is not right with parts (g),(h), and (i). And I am unsure if parts (a-f) are correct. Thanks in advance!
 
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The body performs a simple harmonic motion. At what position is the kinetic energy maximum? What is the potential energy there? Where is the potential energy maximum? What is the KE there? If the maximum kinetic energy is E(max), what is the total energy?

ehild
 
xxsteelxx said:
The problem statement, with all known data/variables.
A 500 g object is moving a horizontal frictionless surface. Its displacement from the origin is given by the equation: x(t) = (3.50m)\sin{[(\frac{\pi}{2})t + \frac{5\pi}{4}]}.

a)what kind of motion is this?

b)what is the amplitude of this motion?

c)what is the period of this motion?

d)what is the frequency of this motion?

e)what is the linear velocity of this motion?

f)what is the linear acceleration of this motion?

g)what is the maximun kinetic energy of this system?

h)What is the maximum potential energy of this system?

i)What is the total mechanical energy of this system?

Given :
postion function x(t)
Amplitude: A=3.50m
mass = 500g= .500kg
no friction is present

Homework Equations


x'(t)=v(t)
v'(t)=a(t)
KE(t)= \frac{1}{2} m{[v(t)]}^2
PE(t)= \frac{1}{2} k{[x(t)]}^2
E_{mech} = \frac{1}{2} k{A}^2
T= \frac{2\pi}{\omega}
x(t)= A\sin{[ t\omega + \phi]}
f=\frac{1}{T}
\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}

The Attempt at a Solution



a) since the postion function is sinusoidal, this reflects simple harmonic motion.
b) Given: A=3.50m (sinusoidal function)
c)T= \frac{2\pi}{\omega}
T= \frac{2\pi}{\frac{\pi}{2}}
T=4

d) linear frequency f=\frac{1}{T}
f=\frac{1}{4}

e)differentiating x(t) gives v(t)= 3.50(\frac{\pi}{2})\cos{(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})}
f)differentiating v(t) gives a(t)= -3.50(\frac{{\pi}^2}{4})sin{(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})}
g) using the kinetic energy formula gives KE(t)= \frac{1}{2} (.500kg){[3.50(\frac{\pi}{2}) \cos(\frac{\pi}{2} t + \frac{5\pi}{4})]}^2
To find max KE, we to find the time that velocity is greatest. Using velocity graph, we see max values at t=0,4: Therefore v is greatest at t=4. Plugging this in KE(t), we get KE(4)=3.778 Joules

h)First solve for k, T= \frac{2\pi}{\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}}
I get k= .20264, and I get stuck here.

i) Using total mech energy equation I obtain total energy to be 1.24117 J

I sense that something is not right with parts (g),(h), and (i). And I am unsure if parts (a-f) are correct. Thanks in advance!

There are quite a few things to be mentioned, but i can't for now. I will return later and help you conceptualize this mathematically. :)
 
g) You are right to say that the KE is at a maximum when the velocity is at a maximum(in magnitude). Hence the angle in the cosine function of v(t) must be an integer multiple of pi. Which leads to t = 1.5(I don't know how you got t = 4?), or if you know your trig, you can simply conclude that the maximum value of cosine is = 1, hence the maximum velocity is simply (3.50)(pi/2) = 5.5m/s, maximum KE would then be (1/2)0.5(5.5)^2 = 7.56J.

h) Well, since energy is conserved, the maximum potential energy would simply be the same as the maximum KE.

i) Same here, the total mechanical energy is simply the same as the maximum amount of KE.
 
Thank you very much! I realize that I need to review my energy concepts.
 

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