Asst_35_Query

course PHY 201

؄P񫒼w谟nassignment #035

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Physics I

05-08-2008

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00:35:47

Query introductory problem set 9, #'s 12-17 How do we find the mass of a simple harmonic oscillator if we know the restoring force constant k and how long it takes to complete a cycle?

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by rearranging k = mg/L to be:

m = Lk/g

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00:43:43

We know the basic relationship omega = sqrt(k/m), which we can solve to get m = omega^2 * k. We are given k, so if we know omega we can easily find m. We know how long it takes to complete a cycle so we can find the angular frequency omega:

From the time to complete a cycle we find the frequency, which is the reciprocal of the time required. From frequency we find angular frequency omega, using the fact that 1 complete cycle corresponds to 2 pi radians.

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oops, I guess I was too busy thinking about pendulums, I automatically read ""length to complete a cycle"" as length of a pendulum.

Doesn't this:

omega = sqrt(k/m)

become this:

m = k / omega^2

What you wrote here is correct.

I could be reading this totally wrong...

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00:44:08

If we know the mass and length of a pendulum how can we find its restoring force constant (assuming displacements x much less than pendulum length)?

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k = mg / L

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00:44:20

For small displacement from equilibrium vector resolution of the forces tells us that the x component of tension in the same proportion to tension as the displacement x to the length L:

x / L

Since for small angles the tension is very nearly equal to the weight mg of the pendulum this gives us

Tx / m g = x / L so that

Tx = (m g / L) * x.

Since Tx is the restoring force tending to pull the pendulum back toward equilibrium we have

restoring force = k * x

for k = m g / L. So the restoring force constant is m g / L.

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00:44:24

Query Add comments on any surprises or insights you experienced

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00:44:27

as a result of this assignment.

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00:44:30

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This looks good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#