Joseph Dimmick

Shawna Haider

Math 1060

23 March 2017

With this project we are going to walk through the process of deriving the force equitation
with springs. Using the formula
0
() = () + 0()

x(t) = position of weight at (t)= time v0= initial velocity w =
(weightmass)(springresistance) x0=initial position

Suppose a weight is set in motion from a position 3 centimeters below

the equilibrium position and with a downward velocity of 4 centimeters
per second. (Please note that the vertical number line used for position
is upside down. This is a convention from physics and it means that
position below equilibrium actually correspond to a positive value.) Assume that the
constant for the spring stiffness and mass of the weight is = 2 for this system.

Part 1
X0 = 3 , V0 = 4, = 2
=

() = 2 sin(2) + 3cos(2)
= 3 cos(2)
 = 2 sin(2)

4) Write an equation for your calculator graph in the for x(t) = A cos [B(t - C)]. (Use the
maximum feature of your graphing utility to help you find values for A, B, and C. Round the
values to four decimal places. Carefully label the points on the graph that you used to determine
A, B, and C. Explain how you used these points to determine A, B, and C.
A = 3.606. A is found by finding the maximum value of y.
B = 2. B is found by subtracting the lesser value of x by the greater value of x for one period of the wave.

C = -.29 C is found by determining the shift in the graph.

() = 3.606cos[2( 0.29)]

5) How are the graphs in part 2) related to the graph in part 3)? Are the values for amplitude,
period, frequency, and phase shift the same or different? Why do you think you are seeing these
results? Please write out your explanation in complete sentences.
The combination of the two graphs in part 2) make the graph for part 3). The value for period
and frequency are the same but the value for amplitude is higher because it adds the 2 graphs
together giving it a higher high (max) and lower low(min). Since both sine and cosine have the
A sin sin(ot) + A cos cos(ot) [ sin() + ( )] Factor out A

[ cos() + sin()] Commutative Property of

Addition
[cos() cos + sin() Commutative Property of
Multi lication
( ) Difference identity for
cosine
same period the combined graph has the same period.
PART 2
6) Prove that the following is an identity (A is a positive constant) by filling in the blanks below.
sin() + ( )
PART 3
7)Rewrite your function from part 1) in terms of a cosine function: ( ). Show your
work.

( ); () = 2 sin(2) + 3 cos(2)
2
2
A = 22 + 32 = 13 ; = 3

2
13cos(2 (arctan ) = 13 cos(2 0.588) = 13cos[2( 0.294)]
3
3
8) Compare your function from part 4) and part 7). What do you observe? Write a one or two
sentence explanation.

They are equivalents when calculating if you used exact numbers instead of the approximates you
would eliminate any rounding errors.

EXAMPLES OF MASS-SPRING SYSTEMS

When an engine cylinder is fired a tremendous amount of force is generated and transferred into
the crankshaft of a car. The crankshaft converts this force to eventually spin the wheels of the car
allowing locomotion. This force also causes vibrations which could lead to the crankshaft failing
and causing the car to no longer work and eve be expensive to repair. In this case the amplitude,
frequency and period of the force behind the combustion of fuel and air are detrimental because
they have the potential to cause damage to mechanism trying to harness them for power. Thus
enters what is called a harmonic balancer. A harmonic balancer is a circular device made of
rubber and metal that is bolted to the front of the crankshaft to absorb the vibrations. The rubber
acts as a ground for the excess energy by absorbing it and preventing the engine vibrations from
causing damage to the crankshaft.

Another good example of harmonic motion or in this case simple harmonic motion. Is a guitar.
When a musician strums on the strings of a guitar it creates sound waves that the human ear can
detect. The energy from the vibration of the guitar string dissipates as sound waves. The more
vibration in the string the louder the sound and the longer the sound can be heard. Modifying the
strength of the strum or stopping the vibration of the string prematurely can alter the amplitude,
frequency and period of the sound waves causing changes in pitch, tone and volume.