Question

a harmonic oscillator has a mass of 0.20kg and unknown spring constant, if the period is T = 20s, find k

Answer 1

The period is given by the formula:

$$T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$$

$$k=m\left(\frac{2\pi}{T}\right)^2$$

$$k=0.2\left(\frac{2\pi}{20}\right)^2=0.020\frac{N}{m}$$