Spring Constant and Oscillations -

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 1.450 kg air-track glider connected to two coil springs, requiring the calculation of the effective spring constant, maximum acceleration, position at a specific time during oscillation, and kinetic energy at a certain position. The subject area includes concepts of oscillations and spring dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the effective spring constant and the maximum acceleration of the glider. There are attempts to derive the position of the glider at a specific time using sinusoidal functions. Some participants express confusion over the use of period T in their calculations and question the correctness of their approaches.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the calculations for position and the use of angular frequency. Some participants have offered guidance on correcting the approach to ensure the calculations align with the problem's requirements.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with calculator settings (degrees vs. radians) and the interpretation of the variable T in relation to time. There is also mention of dimensional analysis to validate the use of sine functions in their calculations.

mparsons06
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Homework Statement



A 1.450 kg air-track glider is attached to each end of the track by two coil springs. It takes a horizontal force of 0.700 N to displace the glider to a new equilibrium position, x= 0.290 m.

Exam4Problem3-6.gif


a.) Find the effective spring constant of the system.

b.) The glider is now released from rest at x= 0.290 m. Find the maximum x-acceleration of the glider.

c.) Find the x-coordinate of the glider at time t= 0.490T, where T is the period of the oscillation.

d.) Find the kinetic energy of the glider at x=0.00 m.


The Attempt at a Solution



a.) 2.41 N/m

b.) v = A \sqrt{k/m}
v = 0.290 \sqrt{2.41/1.450}
v = 0.374 m/s^2

Incorrect. Where did I mess up?

c.) x(t) = 0.290 * sin (w*t)
t = 0.490T
T = 2t * pi / w = 0.98 * pi / w

x(t) = 0.290 sin (w * 0.98 pi / w)
x(t) = 0.290 sin (0.98 pi)
x(t) = - 0.0156 m

Incorrect. Help?

d.) 0.102 J
 
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mparsons06 said:

Homework Statement



A 1.450 kg air-track glider is attached to each end of the track by two coil springs. It takes a horizontal force of 0.700 N to displace the glider to a new equilibrium position, x= 0.290 m.

Exam4Problem3-6.gif


a.) Find the effective spring constant of the system.

b.) The glider is now released from rest at x= 0.290 m. Find the maximum x-acceleration of the glider.

c.) Find the x-coordinate of the glider at time t= 0.490T, where T is the period of the oscillation.

d.) Find the kinetic energy of the glider at x=0.00 m.

The Attempt at a Solution



a.) 2.41 N/m

b.) v = A \sqrt{k/m}
v = 0.290 \sqrt{2.41/1.450}
v = 0.374 m/s^2

Incorrect. Where did I mess up?

c.) x(t) = 0.290 * sin (w*t)
t = 0.490T
T = 2t * pi / w = 0.98 * pi / w

x(t) = 0.290 sin (w * 0.98 pi / w)
x(t) = 0.290 sin (0.98 pi)
x(t) = - 0.0156 m

Incorrect. Help?

d.) 0.102 J

I do not see why you need to use T here. T = \frac{2t\pi}{\omega}
is wrong since T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega}

I would just use <br /> <br /> \omega = {\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}} \rightarrow x(t) = Asin({\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}t)
 
Can you help me with part b?
 
mparsons06 said:
Can you help me with part b?

No muiltiplied, I just plugged it into the general form
x(t) = Asin(\omega t)
 
So I did:

x(t) = A sin (sqrt (k/m) * t)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(sqrt (2.41 / 1.450) * 0.490T)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(1.29 * 0.490T)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(0.6321T)
x(t) = (0.290)(0.011)
x(t) = -0.00319 m

Does that seem correct to you?
 
You know the equation for x(t). Find a(t) and figure out its maximum value.
 
mparsons06 said:
So I did:

x(t) = A sin (sqrt (k/m) * t)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(sqrt (2.41 / 1.450) * 0.490T)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(1.29 * 0.490T)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(0.6321T)
x(t) = (0.290)(0.011)
x(t) = -0.00319 m

Does that seem correct to you?

clickme" see the tex in brackets? You must put that before you write in latex in brackets and after the last line put /tex in brackets (every time you write in latex). No it is not your calculator is in degrees mode and it should be in radians. Plus your answer is negative for an unknown reason.

Also, you asked if it was divided by t earlier. You know that when you take the sine of something it has to be dimensionless so you could figure out if that is even possible with a little dimensional analysis.
 
I changed my calculator to radians:

x(t) = A sin (sqrt (k/m) * t)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(sqrt (2.41 / 1.450) * 0.490T)
x(t) = 0.145 m
 
mparsons06 said:
I changed my calculator to radians:

x(t) = A sin (sqrt (k/m) * t)
x(t) = (0.290) sin(sqrt (2.41 / 1.450) * 0.490T)
x(t) = 0.145 m

I put in those same numbers and got a different answer. And what is T? O wow I misread the problem I didn't notice what that t = 0.49T. :/
 
  • #10
You substituted into sin for w when you should have substituted for t (in the original post).

\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T} \rightarrow x(t) = Asin(\frac{2\pi}{T}t)

Just plug in t and since it is in terms of T, the T's will cancel.
 
  • #11
So I got 0.0182 with my calculator in radians... Is that correct?
 
  • #12
That's what I get.
 

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