The maximum acceleration of a 160 g ball attached to a spring with a spring constant of 2.8 N/m is calculated using the formula a = kx/m. Substituting the values, a_max is determined to be 78.75 cm/s² when the displacement x is 4.5 cm. However, to find the true maximum acceleration, the maximum displacement must be identified using the ball's velocity of 20 cm/s. The correct approach involves understanding that a_max occurs at x_max, which requires further analysis of the system's dynamics.
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lijoeman said:Homework Statement
A 160 g ball attached to a spring with spring constant 2.8 N/m oscillates horizontally on a frictionless table. Its velocity is 20 cm/s when x_0 = 4.5 cm.
a_max = _______ cm/s^2
2. The attempt at a solution
Using F = ma and F = kx
kx = ma
a = kx/m
Substituting the appropriate values
a = (2.8)(4.5)/(.16) = 78.75 cm/s^2
Am I missing something here?
That gives you the acceleration at some particular value of x. It will only be a_max when x = x_max.lijoeman said:Using F = ma and F = kx
kx = ma
a = kx/m