What are the three types of energy involved in an oscillating spring problem?

In summary, a massless spring attached to the ceiling has a small object initially held at rest at y position, with the spring at its rest length. When released, the object oscillates up and down, with a lowest position of 10 cm below y. To determine the object's speed at 8 cm below the initial position, we can use the amplitude of 5 cm to calculate the angular velocity, which is 14 rad/s. Using conservation of energy, we can also determine the speed to be 42 cm/s. There are three types of energy to consider in this problem: gravitational potential energy, potential energy stored in the spring, and kinetic energy.
  • #1
apchemstudent
220
0
A massless spring hangs from the ceiling with a small object attached to its lower end. the object is initially held at rest in a position y such that the spring is at its rest length(not stretched). The object is then released from y and oscillates up and down, with its lowest position being 10 cm below y. What is the speed of the object when it is 8cm below the initial position?

The book says 56 cm/s, but I don't agree with it. First of all, the amplitude will be 5 cm, which, we can use to figure out the angular velocity.

K(.05) = Fg = mg

K = 196m

angular velocity = sqrt(K/m)
= 14 rad/s.

So when the object reaches the point, 8cm from y, it would've displaced only 3 cm from the "equilibrium point".

so V = angular velocity * displacement
= 14 * 3 = 42 cm/s

Am I correct here? Or is there something I'm missing? Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
apchemstudent said:
angular velocity = sqrt(K/m)
= 14 rad/s.

Angular velocity of what? What is rotating or circulating here?

That is why it is batter to call this quantity as angular frequency.

V = w sqrt[A^2 - x^2]
 
  • #3
Using conservation of energy between the points y=y and y=10 cm,
and again between the points y=y and y=8 cm, should yeild the result. This is a less confusing way as far as I am concerned.

There are 3 types of energy to consider in this problem. Those are Grav. potantial energy, Potantial energy stored in the spring and the KE.
 

Related to What are the three types of energy involved in an oscillating spring problem?

What is an oscillating spring problem?

An oscillating spring problem is a physics problem that involves a mass attached to a spring that is able to move back and forth in a periodic motion.

What is the equation for the period of an oscillating spring?

The equation for the period of an oscillating spring is T = 2π√(m/k), where T is the period (in seconds), m is the mass (in kilograms), and k is the spring constant (in newtons per meter).

How does the mass affect the period of an oscillating spring?

The period of an oscillating spring is directly proportional to the square root of the mass. This means that as the mass increases, the period also increases.

What is the relationship between the spring constant and the period of an oscillating spring?

The period of an oscillating spring is inversely proportional to the square root of the spring constant. This means that as the spring constant increases, the period decreases.

What is the difference between simple harmonic motion and an oscillating spring problem?

Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement. An oscillating spring problem is a specific example of simple harmonic motion, where the restoring force is provided by a spring attached to a mass.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
31
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
952
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Views
3K
Back
Top