Solve Spring Force Problem: Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a spring force problem involving displacement, velocity, and acceleration of a particle attached to a spring. The participant initially calculated displacement, velocity, and acceleration but received feedback indicating errors in their approach, particularly regarding the need to use angular frequency instead of oscillation frequency. It was clarified that the equations should utilize angular frequency (ω) directly, without needing to find the oscillation frequency (f). The participant ultimately corrected their calculations after realizing the importance of using radians in their calculator for the cosine function. The conversation emphasizes the distinction between angular frequency and oscillation frequency in harmonic motion equations.
jybe
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Homework Statement


A spring of negligible mass stretches 3.00 cm from its relaxed length when a force of 6.30 N is applied. A 0.540-kg particle rests on a frictionless horizontal surface and is attached to the free end of the spring. The particle is displaced from the origin to x = 5.00 cm and released from rest at t = 0. (Assume that the direction of the initial displacement is positive. Use the exact values you enter to make later calculations.)

1) Determine the displacement x of the particle from the equilibrium position at t = 0.500 s.

2) Determine the velocity and acceleration of the particle when t = 0.500 s.

Homework Equations


[/B]
x = Acos(2pi*f*t)

v = -Aωsin(2pi*f*t)

a = -Aω^2cos(2pi*f*t)

Already found ω = 19.72 rad/s

frequency = 3.139 s^-1

The Attempt at a Solution



1)

x = 0.05*cos(pi*3.139)
x = 0.04926 m or 4.926 cm

2)

v = -0.05*19.72*sin(pi*3.139)
v = -0.168869 m/s

a = -0.05*(19.72)^2*cos(pi*3.139)
a = -19.1566 m/s^2

My answers for angular velocity and frequency are correct but apparently my answers for position, velocity and acceleration are wrong. Do I need my calculator in radians?
 
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jybe said:
Do I need my calculator in radians?
There was no need to find the frequency. You want cos(ωt), you found ω, and you are given t.
What are the units of ω? So what are the units of ωt?
 
haruspex said:
There was no need to find the frequency. You want cos(ωt), you found ω, and you are given t.
What are the units of ω? So what are the units of ωt?
rad/s and rad. Are you saying I should use the same equations without frequency?
 
jybe said:
rad/s and rad. Are you saying I should use the same equations without frequency?
I'm saying you do not need to find the oscillation frequency (f). You have the angular frequency, ω, and an equation that uses ω.
Since the units of the ωt you get will be radians, what mode do you think your calculator needs to be into find its cosine?
 
haruspex said:
I'm saying you do not need to find the oscillation frequency (f). You have the angular frequency, ω, and an equation that uses ω.
Since the units of the ωt you get will be radians, what mode do you think your calculator needs to be into find its cosine?
Ah, thanks, I finally got the correct answer, but what do you mean I didn't have to find the oscillation frequency?

I feel a bit stupid to say this but the equations in my textbook are of the form: a = -Aω^2cos(2pi*f*t)
 
jybe said:
the equations in my textbook are of the form: a = -Aω^2cos(2pi*f*t)
That's unusual.
The usual form is Acos(ωt), ω being the "angular frequency", along with period T=2π/ω and f=1/T is the oscillation frequency.
 
jybe said:
Ah, thanks, I finally got the correct answer, but what do you mean I didn't have to find the oscillation frequency?

I feel a bit stupid to say this but the equations in my textbook are of the form: a = -Aω^2cos(2pi*f*t)

Are you perhaps just missing or forgot $$ ω=2πf $$
 
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