Homework for Real Representations of Harmonic Motion

  1. Measure the relevant physical parameters associated with the mass/spring system hanging in the front of our classroom. Set the mass into oscillation, carefully noting the initial conditions you chose. Write an expression for the subsequent motion using the “A” form and the “B” form to describe the sinusoidal motion.
  2. An oscillator’s motion is described as the superposition of two simple harmonic displacements of the same frequency, but different amplitudes and different phases. Is the resultant motion simple harmonic? If not, what type of motion is it? If so, what is the amplitude and phase of the resultant motion?
  3. An oscillator’s motion is described as the superposition of two simple harmonic displacements of the same frequency, but different amplitudes and different phases. Is the resultant motion simple harmonic? If not, what type of motion is it? If so, what is the amplitude and phase of the resultant motion?

Personal Tools