A horizontal mass–spring system oscillates with angular frequency
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A horizontal mass–spring system oscillates with angular frequency 15rads−1. Its amplitude is observed to become 80 % of the initial value after 20 complete oscillations.
(i) Calculate the damping constant β.
(ii) Find the percentage of the initial mechanical energy that remains after these 20 oscillations.
(iii) Estimate the number of complete oscillations required for the amplitude to fall to 10 % of its initial value.