A loaded spring performs simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 5cm. If the maximum acceleration of the load is 20cm s-1, calculate the angular frequen...
A loaded spring performs simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 5cm. If the maximum acceleration of the load is 20cm s-1, calculate the angular frequency of the motion
Answer Details
The acceleration of an object in simple harmonic motion can be represented as a = -ω2x, where a is acceleration, x is displacement, and ω is the angular frequency. Given that the maximum acceleration of the load is 20cm s-1, we can substitute a = 20cm s-1, and x = 5cm (the amplitude) into the equation above to solve for ω. 20cm s-1 = -ω2(5cm) ω2 = -20cm s-1/5cm = -4 s-2 ω = ±2 s-1 Since the problem asks for the magnitude of ω, we take the positive value: ω = 2 rad s-1 Therefore, the answer is option (A) 2 rad s-1.