Time a spring takes to slow a mass

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating how far a mass attached to a spring travels before stopping and the time it takes to do so. Using the energy conservation equation, the distance traveled was determined to be 0.1705 meters. For the time calculation, participants suggest using the simple harmonic motion (SHO) formulation, where the period T can be derived from the spring constant and mass. It is clarified that the time taken to stop from the equilibrium position is actually one-quarter of the period T, not half. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the period of a mass-spring system in solving such problems.
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Homework Statement


A mass M is attached to a spring with spring constant K. At the equilibrium point of the spring, the mass has a velocity of V.
M = 8.07 kg
K = 113 N/m
V_o = 0.638 m/s

How far does the mass travel until it stops? How long (in seconds) does it take for the mass to travel from the equilibrium point until it stops?

Homework Equations


\frac{1}{2}MV_o^2 = \frac{1}{2}Kx^2 - equation 1

F(x) = kx - spring force

V(x) = \sqrt{V_o^2 - \frac{Kx^2}{m}} - from energy.

The Attempt at a Solution


Using equation 1, I can solve part 1 easily. I plug in M,K,V to equation 1and solve for x, which gives me x = 0.1705m

I have no idea how to solve part 2. I've tried using power, but that doesn't go anywhere meaningful.
P(x) = F(x)*V(x)

Integrating for total power gives me
\frac{MV_o^2}{2t} = \int F(x)*V(x)

Simplifying the integral:
\frac{MV_o^2}{2t} = \int \sqrt{K^2 x^2 V_o^2 - \frac{K^3 x^4}{m}}

I've tried solving that for t, and it doesn't give me the right answer. I haven't thought of it yet, but I feel like there should be an easier solution to this problem. Any help is appreciated.
 
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It might be easier to cast this as a SHO formulation where T can be found directly from the other variables. in other words can you convert this to the form

x(t)=A sin (wt) and solve for T. hint: w=sqrt(k/m) and the time to stop is 0.5T.
 
Have you learned the formula for the period of a mass-spring system? The time it takes to go from equilibrium to rest is actually 1/4T (not 0.5T).
 
ideasrule said:
Have you learned the formula for the period of a mass-spring system? The time it takes to go from equilibrium to rest is actually 1/4T (not 0.5T).

my bad. I forgot it was a quarter cycle and not 1/2, thanks for the correction.
 
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