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Physics 104

Answers - Simple Harmonic Motion

1.

(a)

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position xm = 10.0 cm.

(b)

The time for one complete oscillation
T = p/2 s. Notice the maximum positive displacement
x = +10.0 cm occurs at t = 0 and the next time at t = p/2 s.
It occurs again at
t = p s.

2.

(a)

v(t) =
-(2p/T)(xm sin 2pt/T). The maximum value of the sine is 1. The maximum absolute value of v = 2pxm/T. The ± signs account only for the direction of the velocity.

(b)

From Fig.1b, vmax =
40.0 cm/s = 2pxm/T =
2p(10 cm)/(p s/2).

3.

(a)

(i) a(t) =
-(2p/T)2(xm cos 2pt/T). Maximum value of cosine is 1.
amax = (2p/T)2xm.
The ± signs account for the direction of acceleration.

(ii) a(t) =
-(2p/T)2 (xm cos 2pt/T)
= -(2p/T)2 x(t), since x(t) = xm cos 2pt/T.
-a(t)/x(t) = (2p/T)2.

(b)

From Fig.1c, amax =
160 cm/s2 = (2p/T)2xm
= (2p/(p s/2)210cm.


4.

(a) For a mass attached to a spring, F = -kx or F/x = -k, where k is a constant. The applied force F is directly proportional to the displacement x and the minus sign says it is in the opposite direction to x.

(b) When the spring is extended and released, Fnet = ma or -kx = ma or -a/x = k/m.

5.

From 3a(ii), -a(t)/x(t) = (2p/T)2.
From 4b, -a/x = k/m.
By comparison, k/m = (2p/T)2 or T= 2p (m/k)1/2.

6.

(a) Given x(t) = xm cos (2pt/T + f),  where xm is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position. Maximum value of cos (2pt/T + f) is 1.  The equation accurately describes the definition of xm.

(b) x(t + T) =xm cos [2p(t + T)/T + f] = xm cos T/T + f] = A cos [2pt/T + 2p + f]
= xm cos (2pt/T + f) = x(t).  T is accurately described by the equation of motion for simple harmonic motion xm cos (2pt/T + f).  It allows for the value of x at t to equal x at t + T or t + nT, where n = 1, 2, 3 . . . .

(c) For x(t) = xm cos (2pt/T - p/2),  x(0) = xo = xm cos (- p/2) = 0.
v(t) = -(2p/T)xm sin (2pt/T - p/2).
v(0) = vo = -(2p/T)xm sin ( - p/2) = (2p/T)xm = +vmax
At t = 0, the object is at the equilibrium position and travelling with the maximum velocity in the +X-direction.

7.

In general,

       x(t) = xm cos (2p t/T + f), and
       v(t) = dx/dt = -xm(2p/T) sin (2p t/T + f)


(a)

In Fig. for #7a, x(t) is plotted for f = 0, and

(d)

in Fig. for #7d, v(t) is plotted for f = 0.
For f = 0 and t = 0 , the initial conditions are: the initial displacement = xo = xm and the initial velocity = vo = 0. Immediately after t = 0, the object moves to the left (with a negative velocity).

(b)

For f = -p/2.
x(t) = xm cos (2pt/T - p/2).
By trigonometric identity, cos (C - D) =
cos C cos D + sin C sin D, with C = 2pt/T and D = p/2, x(t) = xm[cos 2pt/T cos p/2 + sin 2pt/T sin p/2]x(t) = xm[(cos 2pt/T)(0)
+ (sin 2pt/T)(1)] = xm sin 2pt/T. Notice the first maximum in Fig. b lags that in Fig. a by p/2 radians.

(e)

v(t) = -2p xm/T sin (2p t/T - p/2).
By trigonometric identity, sin (C - D) =
sin C cos D - cos C sin D, v(t) =
-2p xm/T[(sin 2pt/T)(0) - (cos2pt/T)(1)] v(t)
= (2 p xm/T) cos 2pt/T. For f = -p /2 and
t = 0, xo = 0 and vo = +2 p xm/T.

(c)

For f = -p, x(t) = xm ) =
xm[cos 2pt/T cos p + sin 2pt/T sin p] =
xm[(cos 2pt/T)(-1) + (sin 2pt/T)(0)] x(t) =
-xm cos 2pt/T. Notice that Fig. c lags Fig. a by p radians.

(f)

v(t) = -xm(2p/T) sin (2pt/T - p) =
-(2pxm/T)[sin 2pt/Tcos p -cos 2pt/T sin p]
=(-2pxm/T)[(sin 2pt/T)(-1) -(cos 2pt/T)(0)].
v(t) = (2pxm/T) sin 2pt/T. For f = p and t = 0, xo = -xm and vo = 0. Immediately after t = 0, the object moves to the right with a positive velocity.

(g)

The usefulness of f is to state the initial conditions. Note: f = +p and -p give the same result.



8.

When the object comes to rest, the net force acting on it is zero. The magnitude of the force due to the spring equals the gravitational force,
kx = mg, or k = mg/x = 0.50 kg(9.8 m/s2)/0.10 m = 49 N/m.

9.



In Fig. for #9a, the spring is not stretched. In Fig. for #9b, the mass is attached and the spring is stretched a distance of xo.

(a) The mass comes to rest and Fnet = ma = m(0). Taking down to be positive,

     -kxo + mg = 0                    (Equation 1)

(b) In Fig. for #9c, the spring has been displaced an additional distance x.
Now Fnet = ma, where a ≠ 0 once the spring is released. Taking the direction of x, which is down, as positive,

     -kx - kxo + mg = ma          (Equation 2)

From Eq. 1, we see that - kxo + mg = 0. Eq. 2 becomes -kx = ma or a/x = -k/m. The ratio of a to x is the same whether the spring is mounted horizontally or vertically.

(c) As before,  a/x = -(2p/T)2 = -(2pf)2 = -k/m and f= (1/2p)(k/m)1/2.

10.




(a) The forces acting on the pendulum bob are itsweight mg and the tension T in the string.

(b) The only force tangent to the path is a restoring force -mg sin Q. From the triangle with distances, we find that sin Q = x/L and -mg sin Q = -(mg/L)x.
For small displacements, x ≈s and we can think of the displacement and the restoring force acting horizontally.

Fnet

=

ma

-(mg/L)x

=

ma

(c) Since m, g, and L are constants, the restoring force, -(mg/L)x, is directly proportional to the displacement and in the opposite direction. The pendulum is an example of simple harmonic motion. a/x = -(g/L) = -(2p/T)2 = -(2 pn )2.
n = (1/2p)(g/L)1/2.

11.


 

(a)

x(t) = xm cos 2pt/T

(b)

v(t) = dx/dt = -(2p/T)xm sin 2ptT

(c)

a(t) = dv/dt = - (4p2/T2)xm cos 2pt/T

(d)

U(t) = 1/2 kx2 = 1/2 kxm2 cos22pt/T

(e)

K(t) =1/2 mv2 = 1/2 (m4p2/T2)xm2 sin2 2pt/T = 1/2 (k)xm2 sin2 2pt/T,
since k/m = 4p2/T2.

(f)

E(t) = U(t) + K(t) = 1/2 kxm2(cos2 2pt/T + sin2 2pt/T) = 1/2 kxm2 = a constant.  U is a maximum twice each period when x = xm and v = 0.
K is a maximum each period when x = 0 and v =2pxm/T.
U + K = E = constant.



12.

E = 1/2 kxm2 = 1/2(10 N/m)(0.050 m)2 = 0.0125 J.
U(x) = 1/2 kx2 = 1/2(10 N/m)(0.010 m)2 = 0.0005 J.
K = 1/2 mv2.
E = U + K
0.0125 J = 0.0005 J + 1/2 (0.60 kg)v2.
v2 = 2/0.60 kg[0.0125 - 0.0005]J
0.04 N-m/kg = 0.04 kg-m2/s2-kg = 0.04 m2/s2.
v = 0.2 m/s

13.

Given x(t) = 0.01 m cos (0.02p s-1 t - p/2)  compare with
          x(t) = xm cos (2pt/T + f)  and find

(a) the amplitude xm = 0.01 m (b) 2p/T = 0.02p s-1;

(b) period T = 100 s,

(c) the frequency n = 1/T = 0.01 s-1  and

(d) the initial phase f = -p/2.

14.




From Fig. 3 above, we see that

(a) the cosine curve repeats itself every 4.0 s so the period T = 4.0 s, and

(b) the amplitude of the motion xm =10.0 cm.

(c) If we write the equation of motion as a function of the cosine, we let f= 0.
     x(t) = xm cos 2pt/T = 10.0 cm cos 2pt/4.0 s = 10.0 cm cos pt s-1.

(d) v(t) = dx/dt = -10.0p/2 cm/s sin pt s-1/2.
    |vmax| = 5.0p cm/s.

(e) a(t) = dv/dt = -10.0 (p/2)2cm/s2 cos pt s-1/2. _ amax_ = 2.5p2 cm/s.

15.

For a total swing back and forth of 4.0 cm, the amplitude xm is 2.0 cm.
For x(t) = xm cos (2pt/T + f),  v(t) = dx/dt = -xm2p/T sin (2pt/T + f).
The maximum velocity 10 cm/s occurs at the center of the swing when x = 0. When cos (2pt/T + f) = 0,  sin (2pt/T + f) = 1 and vmax = 2pxm/T.
T = 2pxm/vmax= 2p(2.0 cm)/10 cm/s = 0.4p s.

16.

x(t) = 4.0 cm cos (pt s-1 - p/6).
2.0 cm = 4.0 cm cos (pt s-1 - p/6).
cos (pt s-1 - p/6) = 0.5 and (pt s-1 - p/6) = p/3 (or 600).
v(t) = dx/dt = -4.0p cm/s sin (pt s-1 - p/6).
When (pt s-1 - p/6) = p/3,  sin p/3 = 0.866,  and
v = -4.0p(0.866) cm/s = -10.9 cm/s.

17.

(a)

  t = r x F

 

  t = rF sin _r, F

About the pivot point, the torque for the rod of mass m1 is -(L/2)m1g sin Q and for the point mass it is -Lm2g sin Q. The negative signs occur because they are restoring torques. When the pendulum is swinging counterclockwise, the torque tends to make it swing clockwise. The moment of inertia of the rod about an end is 1/3 m1L2. The moment of inertia of a point particle of mass m2 a distance L from the axis is m2L2.

(b)

                             t = Ia

 

-Lg(m1/2 + m2)sin Q = (m1/3 + m2)L2 d2Q/dt2

 

For small Q, sin Q is approximately equal to Q so that

 

    -Lg(m1/2 + m2) Q = (m1/3 + m2)L2 d2Q/dt2

 

or d2Q/dt2 + [g(m1/2 + m2)/(m1/3 + m2)L]Q = 0


(c) Comparing with d2x/dt2 + [k/m]x = 0 for which T = 2p (m/k)1/2, we find for this pendulum, T = 2p [2(m1 + 3m2)L/(m1 + 2m2)3g]1/2

18.


Fnet = ma = m d2x/dt2


(a) For Fig. 5a,

-k1x - k2x = -(k1 + k2)x = m d2x/dt2, or
d2x/dt2 + [(k1 + k2)/m]x = 0
Compare with,
d2x/dt2 + [k/m]x = 0, when n = (1/2p)(k/m)1/2
and find for this case,
n = (1/2p)[(k1 + k2)/m]1/2
The"effective" spring constant for springs in parallel is
keff= k1 + k2 . . + kn
(b) For Fig. 5b, the spring with constant k2 is in contact with mass m that has a displacement x = x1 + x2, where x1 is the extension of the spring with constant k1 and x2 the extension of the spring with constant k2. The force on the object is,
-k2x2 and -k2x2 = m d2x/dt2     (Equation1)
Also
x = x1 + x2                                 (Equation 2)
and the magnitude of the force on the second spring due to the first spring equals the magnitude of force on the first spring due to the second spring, or
k1x1 = k2x2 or x1 = k2x2/k1      (Equation 3)
Substituting Eq. 3 into Eq. 2,
x = (k2x2/k1) + x2 = (k1 + k2)x2/k1 , or
x2 = k1x/(k1 + k2)                     (Equation 4)
Substituting Eq. 4 into Eq. 1,
-[k2k1/(k1 + k2)]x = m d2x/dt2 or
d2x/dt2 + [{k1k2/(k1 + k2}/m)]x = 0
Comparing with,
d2x/dt2 + [k/m]x = 0
For this case,
n = (1/2_)[{k1k2/(k1 + k2)}/m]1/2
The"effective" spring constant for series is,
keff = {k1k2/(k1 + k2}, or
1/keff = 1/k1 + 1/k2 + . .+ 1/kn.


19.

Imagine the spring cut into thirds with each part having a spring constant k. When the three springs are connected in series, the spring constant is
k = 10.0 N/m. For series,
1/k = 1/10 N/m = 1/k’ + 1/k’ + 1/k’= 3/k’
k’ = 3k = 30.0 N/m
When two of these springs with k’ are connected in series,
1/k” = 1/k’ + 1/k’ = 2/30 N/m
or the spring constant with 2/3 of the spring left (1/3 cut off) is
k” = 15 N/m
T = 2p(m/k”)12 = 2p(0.30/15)1/2 s = 0.89 s.

20.



 

(a) From Fig. 6 above, at x = 0.025 m,  U = 0.050 J.

(b) E = 0.200 J = U + K = 0.050 J + K.   K = 0.150 J.

(c) U = 0.050 J = 1/2 kx2= 1/2 k(0.025 m)2or
     k = 0.10 J/6.25 x 10-4 m2 = 160 N/m.

(d) K = 0.150 J = 1/2 mv2 = 1/2(0.30kg)v2, or
     v2 = 2(0.150)/0.30 m2/s2 = 1.0 m2/s2 or v = 1.0 m/s.

(e) E = 0.200 J =1/2 kxm2 =1/2 (160 N/m)xm2, or
     xm = (25 x 10-4)1/2m = 0.05m.

(f) v is a maximum when the potential energy is a minimum. This occurs for x = 0 and, therefore, U = 0 with K = E = 0.200 J = 1/2 mvmax2 = 1/2(0.30kg)vmax2.
vmax = 1.15 m/s.


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Susan D. Kunk
Phyllis J. Fleming
September 25, 2002
April 4, 2003