Question

A 1.8 kg mass is oscillating at the end of a steel spring with an amplitude of 20cm. The spring constant, k, is 500 N/m. Calculate:

(a) the angular frequency.

(b) the maximum velocity of the oscillating mass.

(c) the total energy of the oscillating mass.

Answer 1

(a) Angular frequency:

$$\omega=2\pi/T=\sqrt{k/m}=16.7\text{ rad/s}.$$

(b) The maximum velocity:

$$v=\omega A=3.33\text{ m/s}.$$

(c) The total energy of the oscillating mass:

$$E=\frac12 kA^2=10\text{ J}.$$