What Is the Maximum Speed of the Oscillator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nweis84
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Oscillations
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the maximum speed of a mechanical oscillator given specific displacement and speed values. The user is confused about how to approach the problem and lacks clear examples or formulas in their textbook. They suggest that the oscillator is executing simple harmonic motion and reference the equation for displacement in terms of sine and cosine functions. However, they express uncertainty about how to derive parameters like omega, time, amplitude, or phase constant from the provided information. The conversation highlights a need for clearer guidance on solving such problems in physics.
nweis84
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 253 g oscillator has a speed of 89.28 cm/s when the displacement is 2.79 cm and a speed of 70.95 cm/s when the displacement is 6.56 cm. What is the oscillator's maximum speed?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



well, I haven't really attempted a solution because I'm totally confused on where to start with this problem. I've read the entire chapter and can't come up with any similar examples or formulas that would help solve this because it just doesn't give me enough information.

please help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Presumably this is a mechanical oscillator executing simple harmonic motion?

If that is the case, assume the displacement looks like
x(t) = A*cos(omega*t) + B*sin(omega*t)
and see what you can do to fit the given information.
 


Sorry I'm still very confused,
how can we find omega or t or A or B from any of the given information?

my book just doesn't explain at all how to handle this type of problem

and also that's the first time I've seen an equation written that way

I have seen the x(t) = Acos(w*t) and the one with the phase constant phi
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Two spring-coupled masses in an electric field (one of the masses is charged)
Replies
1
Views
857
Oscillation Problem -- Ball mass on the end of a horizontal spring
Replies
3
Views
1K
Oscillations of Spring with Viscous Medium
Replies
17
Views
2K
Oscillator Problem Maximum speed & amplitude
Replies
4
Views
3K
Spring set makes up a traveling wave
Replies
16
Views
3K
Finding the damping force for a critically damped oscillator
Replies
2
Views
2K
Help with periods and oscilation *and* wavelengths
Replies
16
Views
3K
How do I use the number of oscillations given?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Driven Oscillation: Springboard diving
Replies
1
Views
2K
Finding Amplitude of spring oscillation after damping
Replies
15
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top