Stiffness in mass spring system

AI Thread Summary
Increasing the stiffness of a mass-spring system, represented by the spring constant k in Hooke's law, leads to an increase in the frequency of oscillation. This relationship is derived from the equation for angular frequency, ω = √(k/m), indicating that as k increases, ω—and consequently the frequency f—also increases. The acceleration of the system is directly related to the frequency, reinforcing that higher stiffness results in greater oscillation frequency. The discussion clarifies the connection between stiffness, frequency, and angular frequency, emphasizing their proportional relationship. Understanding these principles is essential for analyzing oscillatory motion in spring-mass systems.
Smileyxx
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Homework Statement


What happens to the frequency of oscillation if stiffness increases and why?


Homework Equations



?

The Attempt at a Solution


Frequency increases but trying to figure out why.
 
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By stiffness I'm assuming you mean the spring constant, often known as k. It's found in Hooke's law F = -kx where F is the force the spring is exerting and x is the distance from the equilibrium point.

Don't you have some equations relating the frequency of the oscillations of the spring-mass system and the spring constant of the spring?
 
SHISHKABOB said:
By stiffness I'm assuming you mean the spring constant, often known as k. It's found in Hooke's law F = -kx where F is the force the spring is exerting and x is the distance from the equilibrium point.

Don't you have some equations relating the frequency of the oscillations of the spring-mass system and the spring constant of the spring?

a=[2pie f]^2x. So if k increases f increases which increases a(acceleration) and according to the formula given at the start frequency increases. If that make sense:blushing:
 
a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2x} ?

I don't recognize that equation >.> I'm very sorry

do you recognize

x \left( t \right) = Acos \left( \omega t - \phi \right)

where

\omega = \sqrt{ \frac{k}{m}}

is the angular frequency of the oscillation, A is the amplitude and \phi is the phase shift?
 
SHISHKABOB said:
a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2x} ?

I don't recognize that equation >.> I'm very sorry

do you recognize

x \left( t \right) = Acos \left( \omega t - \phi \right)

where

\omega = \sqrt{ \frac{k}{m}}

is the angular frequency of the oscillation, A is the amplitude and \phi is the phase shift?
Its a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2} x.
I dint knew the 2nd equation but i get it now. stiffness is proportional to frequency according to that.but does the natural frequency of spring increases as well?
 
Smileyxx said:
Its a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2} x.
I dint knew the 2nd equation but i get it now. stiffness is proportional to frequency according to that.but does the natural frequency of spring increases as well?

a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2}x makes much more sense :)

angular frequency is just the natural frequency times 2π

or

\omega = 2 \pi f
 
SHISHKABOB said:
a = \left( 2 \pi f\right)^{2}x makes much more sense :)

angular frequency is just the natural frequency times 2π

or

\omega = 2 \pi f

Thanks alot:biggrin:
 
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