A spring of force constant is fixed at one end to a rigid wall
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A spring of force constant k=160Nm−1 is fixed at one end to a rigid wall. A 0.40kg block attached to the other end is pulled to the right so that the spring is stretched by 0.080m from its equilibrium length and is then released from rest at t=0.
(a) Write the equation for the displacement x(t) of the block assuming the rightward stretch to be the positive direction.
(b) Obtain the expression for the acceleration a(t) of the block as a function of time.
(c) Calculate the first positive time t1 after release when the acceleration of the block becomes −5.0ms−2. State whether the block is situated to the right or left of the equilibrium position at this instant.
(d) Justify the sign of the acceleration obtained in part (c) with reference to the displacement of the block.