What Is the Energy of a Viscously Damped Spring-Mass System?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving a problem related to the energy of a viscously damped spring-mass system. The initial potential energy of the system is calculated using the formula 1/2 * k * x^2, yielding a value of 0.366 J when substituting the given parameters. For the second part of the problem, participants suggest that the energy when the mass passes through the equilibrium position can be determined by considering the work done by the damping force, using the equation Ef = Ei + Wsurr. There is uncertainty about the correct implementation of the program to simulate the system's motion and calculate the energies accurately. Overall, the thread highlights the need for clarity in programming and understanding the physics involved.
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Homework Statement


Use your program for the viscously damped spring to solve this problem. Make sure you change the parameters as specified below.

A mass m=7.5 kg is attached to the end of a spring with a spring constant of k=18.3 N/m. The mass moves through a viscous damping medium with a damping constant b=1.8 kg/s giving a velocity dependent damping force Fdamp= -bv.

The motion occurs in zero gravity so set the force of gravity to ZERO in your program. Also set the equilibrium position L0=0. The mass is initially motionless and displaced from equilibrium by a distance yinitial=0.2 m.

What is the energy of the spring-mass system at the initial position of the mass? (the spring-mass system does not include the damping medium)

What is the energy of the spring-mass system when the mass first passes through the equilibrium position? (you may wish to include a logical test to help you find when this occurs)


Homework Equations


1/2mv^2
mgy


The Attempt at a Solution


just tried m*g for the first one so far.
 
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Without knowing what your program is, it's a little hard to know what you are struck on.
 
from __future__ import division
from visual.graph import *

scene.y = 400 # moves animation window down 400 pixels to make room for graph# Constants
pi = 3.14159
L0 = .08 # equilibrium length of spring (not stretched)
g = 0 # gravitational acceleration set to zero (not on earth)
k = 14 # insert the spring constant you found for the coiled spring

# Objects
# Ceiling to hang spring from.
# block to act as mass.
# Spring is represented by a cylinder.
scene.center = vector(0,-.1,0) # you may want to adjust this to improve display

ceiling = box(pos=vector(0,0,0), size=(.3,0.005,0.005)) # make the contact pointthe origin
block=box(pos=vector(0,-0.1,0), size=(.02,0.02,0.02), color=color.yellow)

# Using the positions of the block and ceiling set the cylinder to stretch from the ceiling to the block
spring = cylinder(pos=ceiling.pos, axis=block.pos, radius=.005)

# Initial values
block.m = 0.45 # insert the measured mass from coiled spring experiment.
block.v = vector(0,0,0) # the vector velocity assuming the block is initially stationary
block.p= block.m * block.v

block.pos=vector(0,-L0-0.05,0) # initial position of block 0.05m from equilibrium

# Setting the timestep and zeroing the cumulative time
deltat = .0001 # you should decrease this later to test if it is small enough
t = 0
W = 0
displacement=0
Kgraph = gcurve(color=color.cyan)
Ugraph = gcurve(color=color.yellow)
KplusUgraph = gcurve(color=color.red)
Wgraph = gcurve(color=color.green)
# Loop for repetitive calculations
scene.autoscale=0
while t < 4:

Fnet= -(((block.pos-vector(0,-L0,0))*k))-((block.p/block.m)*.2) #INSERT the force of the spring on the block
displacement=(mag(block.p)/block.m)*deltat
block.p= block.p+Fnet*deltat # updates the momentum
block.pos= block.pos+block.p/block.m*deltat # updates the position
spring.axis = block.pos #updates the spring axis so it stays on the block
t=t+deltat
pmag = mag(block.p) # or whatever you've called the block's momentum

K = (pmag**2)*.5/block.m #COMPLETE this for the kinetic energy of the
block
U = ((mag(block.pos)-L0)**2)*.5*k #COMPLETE this for the potential energy of the block-spring system (note no gravity)
W = W - displacement*(mag(block.p)/block.m)*.2
Kgraph.plot(pos=(t,K))
Ugraph.plot(pos=(t,U))
KplusUgraph.plot(pos=(t,K+U))
Wgraph.plot(pos=(t,W))
 
this is the program need to solve this problem, but i don't know what # need to be changed to solve this problem

if someone could help me that would be great
 
hi the energy of the spring-mass system at the initial position of the mass will be
the potential energy only which is
1/2 * k * x^2

and then plug the number in
.5 * 18.3 * (.2)^2 = .366
 
how would you solve their 2nd question?!

"What is the energy of the spring-mass system when the mass first passes through the equilibrium position? (you may wish to include a logical test to help you find when this occurs)"
 
Well I'd assume that Since Ef = Ei + Wsurr,
And they gave us how to solve the Fdamp = -bv.
So would it be something like Ef = Ei + (Fdamp * x)? Just a guess, I'm in the same mess.
 
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