- #1
vande060
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- 0
Homework Statement
A mass m1 connected to a spring of force constant k
is at rest at equilibrium at the origin. It is struck inelastically
by a mass m2 moving at speed v0 at t = 0. Find
the frequency, amplitude and phase of the resulting simple
harmonic motion
Homework Equations
x(t) = A sin(ωt − theta)
freq = (B/A)^-1/2
The Attempt at a Solution
well, first off it is an inelastic collision so the masses will stick together so i think velocity should look like this after the collision
m1v0 = (m1 + m2)v1
v1 = (m1v0)/(m1 + m2)
then i went along with an equation for energy, i don't feel too good about this step
E = 1/2(m1 + m2)v1 + 1/2kx^2
freq = (B/A)^-1/2
freq = [k/(m1 + m2)]^-1/2
so then would i plug the amplitude(A) and the frequency(w) into the equation x(t) from above
i will be amazed if this is even close. help please.