Physics Assignment Help | Simple Harmonic Motion In Spring-Mass

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S Si im mp pl le e H Ha ar rm mo on ni ic c M Mo ot ti io on n I In n S Sp pr ri in ng g- -M Ma as ss s S Sy ys st te em m
Let us search out the time period of a spring-mass system oscillating on a
smooth horizontal surface as shown in the figure.
At the equilibrium position, the spring is fixed. When the block is goes
through a distance x towards right, it experiences a net restoring force F =
kx towards left.
Fig. A block of mass m attached with a spring of stiffness k oscillates on a
smooth horizontal plane.
m
smooth
x
m
k
k
The negative sign shows that the restoring force is always opposite to the distance. That is, when x
is positive, F is negative, the force is tends to the left. When x is negative magnitude, F is positive
magnitude; the force is directed to the right. So the force usually directed to restore the block to
its equilibrium position x = 0.
F = -kx ..... (i)
Applying Newton's Second equation,
2
2
d x
F m kx
dt
= = ..... (ii)
or
2
2
d x k
x 0
m dt
| }
+ =
]
\
Comparing the above equation with second order differential equation we get,
2
k
m
c = or
m
T 2
k
= t
Note: The time period is independent of the amplitude. For a given spring constant, the
period increases with the mass of the block a more massive block oscillates more
slowly. For a given block, the period decreases as k increases. A stiffer spring
produces quicker oscillations.