Final answer:
A car with a clunking sound over bumps likely has worn or damaged shock absorbers, which are crucial for damping the oscillations caused by an uneven road surface. The frequency and period of the oscillations due to bad shock absorbers can be calculated if the car's mass and force constant are known.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a car has a clunk over bumps, it could be a sign that the shock absorbers are failing. The shock absorbers are designed to dampen the oscillations of the car's suspension system. If defective, they cannot perform their job correctly, resulting in a car that will oscillate over bumps and after stopping. A car's suspension system includes springs, which are characterized by a force constant (k).
The frequency and period of these oscillations can be calculated if the car's mass and the force constant of the suspension system are known. For a car with a mass (including its load) of 900 kg and a force constant of 6.53×10 N/m, applying the formula for the simple harmonic motion where the frequency (f) is equal to 1/(2π)√(k/m), one can determine how quickly the car will oscillate. Additionally, the period is the inverse of the frequency. This issue not only causes discomfort but may also signify potential damage to the vehicle if not addressed.