Question

A student stretches a spring, attaches a 1.20 kg mass to it, and releases the mass from rest on a frictionless surface. The resulting oscillation has a period of 0.750 s and an amplitude of 15.0 cm. Determine the oscillation frequency, the spring constant, and the speed of the mass when it is halfway to the equilibrium position.

Answer 1

the speed of the mass when it is halfway to the equilibrium position is 1.26 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that;

mass of the object m = 1.20 kg

period of oscillation = 0.750 s

Amplitude ( A/x) = 15.0 cm = 0.15 m

now;

a) Determine the oscillation frequency;

oscillation frequency f = 1/T

we substitute

f = 1 / 0.750 s

f = 1.33 Hz

Therefore, the oscillation frequency is 1.33 Hz

b) Determine the spring constant;

we solve for spring constant from the following expression;

T = 2π√(m/k)

k = 4π²m / T²

so we substitute

k = (4π² × 1.20) / (0.750)²

k = 47.3741 / 0.5625

k = 84.22 N/m

Therefore, the spring constant is 84.22 N/m

c) determine the speed of the mass when it is halfway to the equilibrium position

So, at equilibrium, the energy is equal to K.E

such that;

1/2mv² = 1/2kx²

mv² = kx²

v² = kx² / m

v = √( kx²/m)

we substitute

v = √( 84.22×(0.15 m)²/ 1.2 )

v = √( 1.89495 / 1.2 )

v = √ 1.579125

v = 1.26 m/s

Therefore, the speed of the mass when it is halfway to the equilibrium position is 1.26 m/s