Question

A 200 g mass attached to a horizontal spring oscillates at a frequency of 2.80 Hz. At t = 0 s, the mass is at x = 5.20 cm and has vx = -45.0 cm/s. What is the amplitude of the oscillation?

1) 0.052 m
2) 0.052 cm
3) 0.052 km
4) 0.052 mm

Answer 1

The amplitude of oscillation of the mass attached to the spring is 5.20 cm (option 2), calculated from the simple harmonic motion variables provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking for the amplitude of the oscillation of a mass attached to a spring. The amplitude can be found using the simple harmonic motion equation which includes displacement and velocity at a given time. At t = 0 s, we have an x = 5.20 cm and vx = -45.0 cm/s. The negative velocity indicates the mass is moving towards the equilibrium position, and since it's at its maximum velocity, this point must be the amplitude of the motion, thus the amplitude is 5.20 cm, or option 2) 0.052 cm.