A horizontal mass–spring system consists of a block of mass attached to an ideal…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A horizontal mass–spring system consists of a block of mass 0.50kg attached to an ideal spring of force constant 200Nm−1 on a smooth table.
(a) Calculate the natural angular frequency ω0 and the time period T of the block when it is displaced slightly and released.
(b) An external periodic force acts on the block such that its displacement is given a small push every 0.70s. State whether the resulting motion of the block is free, damped, or forced. Justify your answer.
(c) Would you expect the amplitude of oscillation in part (b) to increase, decrease, or remain constant with time? Give one reason for your choice.