What Causes Oscillation Errors in Air-Track Glider Experiments?

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Oscillation errors in air-track glider experiments can arise from incorrect calculations related to angular displacement. The glider, attached to a spring, oscillates with a period of 1.50 seconds and a maximum speed of 46.0 cm/s, with an amplitude of 11 cm. A user attempted to calculate the glider's position at t=26.0 seconds using the formula x = A cos(wt) but received an incorrect answer. The error was identified as a misconfiguration of the calculator, which was set to degrees instead of radians. Properly using radians in calculations is crucial for accurate results in oscillation problems.
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An air-track glider is attached to a spring. The glider is pulled to the right and released from rest at t=0. It then oscillates with a period of 1.50 s and a maximum speed of 46.0 cm/s.

I found the amplitude to be 11cm (this is 100% correct)

1) What is the glider's position at t= 26.0 s?

How do i do #1?

I used the formula x = A cos ( wt) and plugged everything in.

x = (11cm) cos (26sec x 2pie/1.5)
x = -3.56

but my answer is wrong :-(
 
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Your angle 26*2*pi/1.5 is in radians, but I think your calculator was set to work in degrees.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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