Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 14 - Oscillations - Exercises and Problems - Page 406: 75

Answer

$\approx 1.6\;\rm Hz$

Work Step by Step

First, we need to sketch the spring and the block as we see below. We also need to draw the force diagram exerted on the blocks in both cases as shown below. The net force exerted on the first block is zero, so $$kx_1=mg\tag 1$$ where $x_1$ is the stretched distance by the spring. And the net force exerted on the two blocks is zero as well, so $$kx =2mg$$ where $x=x_1+x_2$ whereas $x_2=5$ cm, thus $$k(x_1+0.05) =2mg\tag 2$$ Divide (2) by (1) $$\dfrac{k(x_1+0.05) }{kx_1}=\dfrac{2mg}{mg}$$ $$\dfrac{x_1+0.05 }{ x_1}=2$$ Hence, $$2x_1-x_1=0.05$$ $$x_1=\bf 0.05\;\rm m$$ Thus, plugging into (2) and solving for $k$; $$k=\dfrac{2mg}{(0.05+0.05)}=20mg\tag3$$ The frequency of the two blocks is given by $$\omega=2\pi f=\sqrt{\dfrac{k}{2m}}$$ Plugging from (3): $$ f=\dfrac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\dfrac{20mg}{2m}}=\dfrac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{10g}$$ $$f=\dfrac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{10(9.8)}=\color{red}{\bf 1.57}\;\rm Hz$$
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