A horizontal spring–mass system is driven by a periodic external force
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A horizontal spring–mass system is driven by a periodic external force. System-1 uses a mass of 0.50 kg, while System-2 is identical except that an additional 1.50 kg is firmly attached to the same spring.
Answer the following questions with suitable reasoning. Take the damping in both systems to be small and identical.
(i) Explain qualitatively how the natural angular frequency changes when the extra mass is added.
(ii) State, with reason, whether the resonance angular frequency of System-2 will be higher than, lower than, or equal to that of System-1.
(iii) Both systems are driven at an angular frequency equal to the natural frequency of System-1. Compare the steady-state amplitudes obtained by the two systems and justify your answer.