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If the spring constant is k = 3 n/m, can you find the mass of the cart? If yes, give the answer.

User Vidhi Dave
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Final answer:

The mass of the cart cannot be determined using only the spring constant value without additional information related to the system's motion or spring displacement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mass of a Cart on a Spring Problem

Without additional information about the system in question (e.g., displacement of the spring, acceleration of the cart, or the time period of oscillation), it is not possible to determine the mass of a cart using only the spring constant value (k = 3 N/m). To find the mass of a cart attached to a spring, we would typically use Hooke's Law, which relates the spring constant to the displacement and force exerted on the spring, potentially combined with the principles of simple harmonic motion if the system is in oscillation.

In simple harmonic motion, the time period T is related to the mass m and spring constant k by the formula T = 2π√(m/k). But without data on either the displacement or the time period of oscillation, we can't apply this formula. Therefore, we can conclude that we cannot calculate the mass of the cart given only the spring constant.

User Justin Callison
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