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15-28.

In general we have the energy relationship

\begin{displaymath}E=K+U\end{displaymath}

where $K$ is the kinetic, $U$ the potential, and $E$ the total energy. Kinetic energy is always non-negative ($K \propto v^2$), and for a spring so too is the potential ($U \propto x^2$).

Thus, if we set $K=0$ we get

\begin{displaymath}E=U_{max}=\frac{1}{2}kx_{max}^2=\frac{1}{2}kA^2,\end{displaymath}

while if we set $U=0$ we get

\begin{displaymath}E=K_{max}=\frac{1}{2}mv_{max}^2.\end{displaymath}

Solving the first eqation for $k$ yeilds

\begin{displaymath}k=\frac{2E}{A^2}=200\;\textrm{N/m},\end{displaymath}

and solving the second for $m$ yields

\begin{displaymath}m=\frac{2E}{v_{max}^2}=1.39\;\textrm{kg}.\end{displaymath}



Dan Cross 2006-10-18