A student attaches a block to an unknown horizontal spring on a nearly frictionless…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A student attaches a 0.50kg block to an unknown horizontal spring on a nearly frictionless surface. When the block is displaced slightly and released, the measured period of small oscillations is 1.20s.
(1) Determine the numerical value of the spring constant k for the unknown spring. Show all work and include proper units.
(2) The student then gently places an additional 0.30kg mass on top of the block so that the two move together without slipping. Predict the new period of oscillation for the combined mass on the same spring. Show your reasoning.
(3) Finally, the student removes the extra mass but now connects a second spring identical to the first in parallel with it, so that both springs act together on the original 0.50kg block. Predict the period of oscillation in this configuration, carefully explaining how you determined the effective spring constant of the parallel arrangement.