Simple Harmonic Motion with Cylinder Attached to Spring

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the dynamics of a solid cylinder attached to a horizontal massless spring, demonstrating that the center of mass executes simple harmonic motion. The period T of this motion is derived as T=2π√(3M/2k), where M is the mass of the cylinder and k is the spring constant. Participants emphasize the importance of considering both translational and rotational kinetic energy in the total mechanical energy equation, which is crucial for accurate calculations. The hint provided suggests finding the time derivative of the total mechanical energy to further analyze the system's behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of simple harmonic motion principles
  • Familiarity with rotational dynamics and moment of inertia
  • Knowledge of energy conservation in mechanical systems
  • Ability to differentiate functions with respect to time
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the period of simple harmonic motion in systems with both translational and rotational components
  • Learn about the moment of inertia for various shapes, particularly cylinders
  • Explore the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in oscillatory systems
  • Investigate the application of the time derivative in mechanical energy equations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying classical mechanics, physics educators, and anyone interested in the dynamics of oscillatory systems involving rotational motion.

DoTell
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Okay, so we've got a solid cylinder attached to a horizontal massless spring that rolls without slipping along a horizontal surface. The system is released from rest with the spring stretched past the equilibrium point.
(The first two parts of this problem ask for translational and rotational kinetic energy values given the spring constant and the amount the spring is stretched. I already solved those and got those correct.)
Show that under these conditions, the center of mass of the cylinder executes simple harmonic motion, and that the period T can be expressed in terms of the mass M of the cylinder as follows:
T=2[itex]\pi[/itex]√(3M/2k)
I'm given the hint: Find the time derivative of the total mechanical energy.

2. (Maybe?) Relevant equations

T=2[itex]\pi[/itex]/ω
ω[itex]^{2}[/itex]=k/m
x'(t) for a spring = -ωxsin(ωt)

The Attempt at a Solution



My process seems a little iff-y. Am I on the right track?

Okay, so let's try to use the hint. I have the total mechanical energy equation:
1/2kx[itex]^{2}[/itex]=1/2mv[itex]^{2}[/itex]+1/2Iω[itex]^{2}[/itex]=3/4mv[itex]^{2}[/itex]
I also know that v=X'(t)=ωxsin(ωt)
1/2kx[itex]^{2}[/itex]= 1/2m(ω[itex]^{2}[/itex]x[itex]^{2}[/itex]sin[itex]^{2}[/itex](ωt)
x cancels...
2k/3m=ω[itex]^{2}[/itex]sin[itex]^{2}[/itex](ωt)
This is starting to look like the equation given...but now I take the time derivative? Won't I get sines and 't's in that equation?
I'm not really sure how to do this final step. How do I get rid of the ugly sine? I did a similar problem without rolling, but I got a sine squared and a cosine squared which went to one. How does this one work?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
DoTell said:
2. (Maybe?) Relevant equations

T=2[itex]\pi[/itex]/ω
ω[itex]^{2}[/itex]=k/m
x'(t) for a spring = -ωxsin(ωt)

The first equation is correct. The second equation is definitely not right, as you can see , it would not give the correct answer for the period T. (The reason the second equation doesn't apply here is because the cylinder also has rotational motion). The third equation is almost correct. There should be -omega^2, not -omega. Also, I'm assuming lower-case x means the displacement at t=0?
 
DoTell said:
Okay, so let's try to use the hint. I have the total mechanical energy equation:
1/2kx[itex]^{2}[/itex]=1/2mv[itex]^{2}[/itex]+1/2Iω[itex]^{2}[/itex]=3/4mv[itex]^{2}[/itex]

You've essentially written KE=PE, which isn't correct. The total energy is KE+PE. And the hint says to find the total time derivative of the total energy, so that's what your next step should be.
 

Similar threads

Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
996
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K