Simple harmonic oscillation question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on finding the speed of a simple harmonic oscillator when the displacement is sqrt(3) A/2, using the displacement function x = Asin(wt + phi). The initial confusion arises from relating position x to speed, with the velocity function v_x_ = -wAsin(wt + phi) being referenced. A breakthrough occurs when the conservation of energy principle is applied, leading to the formula v_x_ = ±w sqrt(A^2 - x^2). This formula allows for the calculation of velocity directly from the displacement value. Ultimately, the participant successfully determines the speed as piA/2.
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the displacement of a simple harmonic oscillator versus time is
described by the function x = Asin(wt + phi)

find the speed when the displacement is sqrt(3) A/2

the answer is piA/2 but I have no idea how the professor got it...

the function for the velocity at point x in our book is

v_x_ = -wAsin(wt + phi)

for some reason it is hard for me to associate the position x with the speed... is there a formula that gives the velocity by just plugging in x?

I just also found a diagram that gives T = 2s which I didn't see before
 
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Hint -- Try to use conservation of energy.
 
ohhhh right

v_x_ = +-w sqrt(A^2 - x^2)

I got it from here, thanks alot!
 
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