406  CHAPTER 12 | Oscillatory Motion

still collapsed because vortices (turbulences) generated by the wind blowing through
the bridge occurred at a frequency that matched a natural frequency of the bridge.
The flapping of this wind across the roadway (similar to the flapping of a flag in a
strong breeze) provided the periodic driving force that brought the bridge down
into the river.
As a second example, consider soldiers marching across a bridge. They are com-
manded to break step while on the bridge because of resonance. If the marching
frequency of the soldiers matches that of the bridge, the bridge could be set into reso-
nance oscillation. If the amplitude becomes large enough, the bridge could actually
collapse. Just such a situation occurred on April 14, 1831, when the Broughton suspen-
sion bridge in England collapsed while troops marched over it. Investigations after the
accident showed that the bridge was near failure, and the resonance vibration induced
by the marching soldiers caused it to fail sooner than it otherwise might have.
Resonance gives us our first clue to responding to the central question for this
Context. Suppose a building is far from the epicenter of an earthquake so that the
ground shaking is small. If the shaking frequency matches a natural frequency of the
building, a very effective energy coupling occurs between the ground and the build-
ing. Therefore, even for relatively small shaking, the ground, by resonance, can feed
energy into the building efficiently enough to cause the failure of the structure. The
structure must be carefully designed so as to reduce the resonance response.

SUMMARY |
An object attached to the end of a spring moves with a mo- The potential energy of a simple harmonic oscillator is a
tion called simple harmonic motion, and the system is called maximum when the particle is at its turning points (maxi-
a simple harmonic oscillator. mum displacement from equilibrium) and is zero at the
The time for one complete oscillation of the object is equilibrium position. The kinetic energy is zero at the turn-
called the period T of the motion. The inverse of the period ing points and is a maximum at the equilibrium position.
is the frequency f of the motion, which equals the number of A simple pendulum of length L exhibits motion that can
oscillations per second: be modeled as simple harmonic for small angular displace-
ments from the vertical, with a period of
1 ␻
f5 5 12.11b L
T 2␲ T 5 2␲ 12.25b
g
The velocity and acceleration of an object in simple har-
monic oscillation are The period of a simple pendulum is independent of the mass
of the suspended object.
dx
v5 5 2 ␻A sin(␻t 1 ␾) 12.15b A physical pendulum exhibits motion that can be mod-
dt eled as simple harmonic for small angular displacements
d 2x from equilibrium about a pivot that does not go through the
a5 5 2 ␻2A cos(␻t 1 ␾) 12.16b center of mass. The period of this motion is
dt 2
Therefore, the maximum speed of the object is ␻A and its I
T 5 2␲ 12.27b
maximum acceleration is of magnitude ␻2A. The speed is mgd
zero when the object is at its turning points, x 5 6A, and the where I is the moment of inertia about an axis through the
speed is a maximum at the equilibrium position, x 5 0. The pivot and d is the distance from the pivot to the center of mass.
magnitude of the acceleration is a maximum at the turning Damped oscillations occur in a system in which a resistive
points and is zero at the equilibrium position. force opposes the motion of the oscillating object. If such a
The kinetic energy and potential energy of a simple har- system is set in motion and then left to itself, its mechanical
monic oscillator vary with time and are given by energy decreases in time because of the presence of the non-
K 5 12 mv 2 5 12 m␻2A2 sin2(␻t 1 ␾) 12.19b conservative resistive force. It is possible to compensate for this
1 2 1 transformation of energy by driving the system with an external
U5 2 kx 5 2 kA
2 cos2(␻t 1 ␾) 12.20b periodic force. The oscillator in this case is undergoing forced
The total energy of a simple harmonic oscillator is a con- oscillations. When the frequency of the driving force matches
stant of the motion and is the natural frequency of the undamped oscillator, energy is ef-
ficiently transferred to the oscillator and its steady-state ampli-
E 5 12kA2 12.21b
tude is a maximum. This situation is called resonance.
 | Objective Questions  407

Analysis Model for Problem Solving |

Particle in Simple Harmonic Motion If a particle is subject to a force of the form
of Hooke’s law F 5 2kx, the particle exhibits simple harmonic motion. Its position
is described by
x(t) 5 A cos (␻t 1 ␾) 12.6b
where A is the amplitude of the motion, ␻ is the angular frequency, and ␾ is the
phase constant. The value of ␾ depends on the initial position and initial velocity
of the oscillator.
The period of the oscillation is related to the parameters of a block–spring
system according to
2␲ m
T5 5 2␲ 12.13b
␻ Äk

denotes answer available in Student

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS | Solutions Manual/Study Guide

1. Which of the following statements is not true regarding a motion? (a) It doubles. (b) It becomes "2 times as large.
mass–spring system that moves with simple harmonic motion (c) It becomes half as large. (d) It becomes 1/ "2 times as
in the absence of friction? (a) The total energy of the system large. (e) It remains the same.
remains constant. (b) The energy of the system is continually
transformed between kinetic and potential energy. (c) The 8. An object–spring system moving with simple harmonic mo-
total energy of the system is proportional to the square of the tion has an amplitude A. When the kinetic energy of the ob-
amplitude. (d) The potential energy stored in the system is ject equals twice the potential energy stored in the spring,
greatest when the mass passes through the equilibrium posi- what is the position x of the object? (a) A (b) 13 A (c) A/ "3
tion. (e) The velocity of the oscillating mass has its maximum (d) 0 (e) none of those answers
value when the mass passes through the equilibrium position. 9. A mass–spring system moves with simple harmonic motion
2. The position of an object moving with simple harmonic mo- along the x axis between turning points at x1 5 20 cm and
tion is given by x 5 4 cos (6␲t), where x is in meters and x2 5 60 cm. For parts (i) through (iii), choose from the same
t is in seconds. What is the period of the oscillating system? five possibilities. (i) At which position does the particle have
(a) 4 s (b) 16 s (c) 13 s (d) 6␲ s (e) impossible to determine the greatest magnitude of momentum? (a) 20 cm (b) 30 cm
from the information given (c) 40 cm (d) some other position (e) The greatest value oc-
curs at multiple points. (ii) At which position does the particle
3. A block–spring system vibrating on a frictionless, horizontal have greatest kinetic energy? (iii) At which position does the
surface with an amplitude of 6.0 cm has an energy of 12 J. If particle–spring system have the greatest total energy?
the block is replaced by one whose mass is twice the mass of
the original block and the amplitude of the motion is again 10. A particle on a spring moves in simple harmonic motion
6.0 cm, what is the energy of the system? (a) 12 J (b) 24 J along the x axis between turning points at x1 5 100 cm and
(c) 6 J (d) 48 J (e) none of those answers x2 5 140 cm. (i) At which of the following positions does
the particle have maximum speed? (a) 100 cm (b) 110 cm
4. A runaway railroad car, with mass 3.0 3 105 kg, coasts across (c) 120 cm (d) at none of those positions (ii) At which posi-
a level track at 2.0 m/s when it collides elastically with a tion does it have maximum acceleration? Choose from the
spring-loaded bumper at the end of the track. If the spring same possibilities as in part (i). (iii) At which position is the
constant of the bumper is 2.0 3 106 N/m, what is the greatest net force exerted on the particle? Choose from
maximum compression of the spring during the collision? the same possibilities as in part (i).
(a) 0.77 m (b) 0.58 m (c) 0.34 m (d) 1.07 m (e) 1.24 m
11. A block with mass m 5 0.1 kg oscillates with amplitude A 5
5. An object of mass 0.40 kg, hanging from a spring with a spring 0.1 m at the end of a spring with force constant k 5 10 N/m
constant of 8.0 N/m, is set into an up-and-down simple har- on a frictionless, horizontal surface. Rank the periods of the
monic motion. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of following situations from greatest to smallest. If any periods
the object when it is at its maximum displacement of 0.10 m? are equal, show their equality in your ranking. (a) The sys-
(a) zero (b) 0.45 m/s2 (c) 1.0 m/s2 (d) 2.0 m/s2 (e) 2.4 m/s2 tem is as described above. (b) The system is as described in
6. If an object of mass m attached to a light spring is replaced situation (a) except the amplitude is 0.2 m. (c) The situa-
by one of mass 9m, the frequency of the vibrating system tion is as described in situation (a) except the mass is 0.2 kg.
(d) The situation is as described in situation (a) except the
changes by what factor? (a) 19 (b) 13 (c) 3.0 (d) 9.0 (e) 6.0
spring has force constant 20 N/m. (e) A small resistive force
7. If a simple pendulum oscillates with small amplitude and makes the motion underdamped.
its length is doubled, what happens to the frequency of its
408  CHAPTER 12 | Oscillatory Motion

12. For a simple harmonic oscillator, answer yes or no to the follow- 15. The top end of a spring is
ing questions. (a) Can the quantities position and velocity have held fixed. A block is hung
the same sign? (b) Can velocity and acceleration have the same on the bottom end as in
sign? (c) Can position and acceleration have the same sign? Figure OQ12.15a, and the
13. A simple pendulum has a period of 2.5 s. (i) What is its period if frequency f of the oscillation
its length is made four times larger? (a) 1.25 s (b) 1.77 s (c) 2.5 s of the system is measured.
(d) 3.54 s (e) 5 s (ii) What is its period if the length is held con- The block, a second identi-
stant at its initial value and the mass of the suspended bob is cal block, and the spring are
made four times larger? Choose from the same possibilities. carried up in a space shuttle
to Earth orbit. The two blocks Figure OQ12.15
14. You attach a block to the bottom end of a spring hanging are attached to the ends of
vertically. You slowly let the block move down and find that the spring. The spring is compressed without making adjacent
it hangs at rest with the spring stretched by 15.0 cm. Next, coils touch (Fig. OQ12.15b), and the system is released to os-
you lift the block back up to the initial position and release cillate while floating within the shuttle cabin (Fig. OQ12.15c).
it from rest with the spring unstretched. What maximum What is the frequency of oscillation for this system in terms of f ?
distance does it move down? (a) 7.5 cm (b) 15.0 cm (c) 30.0 (a) f/2 (b) f / "2 (c) f (d) "2 f (e) 2f
cm (d) 60.0 cm (e) The distance cannot be determined
without knowing the mass and spring constant.

denotes answer available in Student

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS | Solutions Manual/Study Guide

1. (a) If the coordinate of a particle varies as x 5 2A cos ␻t, 6. Is it possible to have damped oscillations when a system is at
what is the phase constant in Equation 12.6? (b) At what resonance? Explain.
position is the particle at t 5 0? 7. The mechanical energy of an undamped block–spring sys-
2. The equations listed in Table 2.2 give position as a function tem is constant as kinetic energy transforms to elastic po-
of time, velocity as a function of time, and velocity as a func- tential energy and vice versa. For comparison, explain what
tion of position for an object moving in a straight line with happens to the energy of a damped oscillator in terms of the
constant acceleration. The quantity vxi appears in every equa- mechanical, potential, and kinetic energies.
tion. (a) Do any of these equations apply to an object moving 8. A student thinks that any real vibration must be damped.
in a straight line with simple harmonic motion? (b) Using a Is the student correct? If so, give convincing reasoning. If
similar format, make a table of equations describing simple not, give an example of a real vibration that keeps constant
harmonic motion. Include equations giving acceleration as a amplitude forever if the system is isolated.
function of time and acceleration as a function of position.
State the equations in such a form that they apply equally to 9. Will damped oscillations occur for any values of b and k ?
a block–spring system, to a pendulum, and to other vibrating Explain.
systems. (c) What quantity appears in every equation? 10. If a pendulum clock keeps perfect time at the base of a
3. Is a bouncing ball an example of simple harmonic motion? mountain, will it also keep perfect time when it is moved to
Is the daily movement of a student from home to school and the top of the mountain? Explain.
back simple harmonic motion? Why or why not? 11. A pendulum bob is made from a sphere filled with water.
4. Figure CQ12.4 shows graphs of the potential energy of four What would happen to the frequency of vibration of this
different systems versus the position of a particle in each pendulum if there were a hole in the sphere that allowed
system. Each particle is set into motion with a push at an the water to leak out slowly?
arbitrarily chosen location. Describe its subsequent motion 12. You are looking at a small, leafy tree. You do not notice any
in each case (a), (b), (c), and (d). breeze, and most of the leaves on the tree are motionless.
One leaf, however, is fluttering back and forth wildly. After a
while, that leaf stops moving and you notice a different leaf
moving much more than all the others. Explain what could
cause the large motion of one particular leaf.
13. Consider the simplified single-piston engine in Figure CQ12.13.
Assuming the wheel rotates with constant angular speed, ex-
plain why the piston rod oscillates in simple harmonic motion.

Figure CQ12.4

5. A simple pendulum can be modeled as exhibiting simple 
harmonic motion when ␪ is small. Is the motion periodic
when ␪ is large?
Figure CQ12.13
 | Problems  409

PROBLEMS |

The problems found in this chapter may be assigned denotes Master It tutorial available in Enhanced
online in Enhanced WebAssign. WebAssign
1. denotes straightforward problem; 2. denotes intermediate denotes asking for quantitative and conceptual reasoning
problem; 3. denotes challenging problem denotes symbolic reasoning problem
1. denotes full solution available in the Student Solutions Manual/ denotes “paired problems” that develop reasoning with
Study Guide symbols and numerical values
1. denotes problems most often assigned in Enhanced denotes Watch It video solution available in Enhanced
WebAssign. WebAssign
denotes biomedical problem
denotes guided problem

7. A particle moves in simple harmonic motion with a fre-

Note: Ignore the mass of every spring except in Problem 69.
quency of 3.00 Hz and an amplitude of 5.00 cm. (a) Through
Section 12.1 Motion of an Object Attached to a Spring what total distance does the particle move during one cycle
of its motion? (b) What is its maximum speed? Where does
Note: this maximum speed occur? (c) Find the maximum accel-
eration of the particle. Where in the motion does the maxi-
mum acceleration occur?
1. A 0.60-kg block attached to a spring with force constant 130
N/m is free to move on a frictionless, horizontal surface as in 8. A ball dropped from a height of 4.00 m makes an elas-
Active Figure 12.1. The block is released from rest when the tic collision with the ground. Assuming no mechanical en-
spring is stretched 0.13 m. At the instant the block is released, ergy is lost due to air resistance, (a) show that the ensuing
find (a) the force on the block and (b) its acceleration. motion is periodic and (b) determine the period of the mo-
tion. (c) Is the motion simple harmonic? Explain.
2. When a 4.25-kg object is placed on top of a vertical spring,
the spring compresses a distance of 2.62 cm. What is the 9. A particle moving along the x axis in simple harmonic
force constant of the spring? motion starts from its equilibrium position, the origin, at
t 5 0 and moves to the right. The amplitude of its motion is
2.00 cm, and the frequency is 1.50 Hz. (a) Find an expres-
Section 12.2 Analysis Model: Particle in Simple Harmonic sion for the position of the particle as a function of time.
Motion Determine (b) the maximum speed of the particle and
3. The position of a particle is given by the expression (c) the earliest time (t . 0) at which the particle has this
x 5 4.00 cos (3.00␲t 1 ␲), where x is in meters and t is speed. Find (d) the maximum positive acceleration of the
in seconds. Determine (a) the frequency and (b) period of particle and (e) the earliest time (t . 0) at which the parti-
the motion, (c) the amplitude of the motion, (d) the phase cle has this acceleration. (f) Find the total distance traveled
constant, and (e) the position of the particle at t 5 0.250 s. by the particle between t 5 0 and t 5 1.00 s.

4. You attach an object to the bottom end of a hanging 10. A 1.00-kg glider attached to a spring with a force con-
vertical spring. It hangs at rest after extending the spring stant of 25.0 N/m oscillates on a frictionless, horizontal air
18.3 cm. You then set the object vibrating. (a) Do you have track. At t 5 0, the glider is released from rest at x 5 23.00
enough information to find its period? (b) Explain your an- cm (that is, the spring is compressed by 3.00 cm). Find
swer and state whatever you can about its period. (a) the period of the glider’s motion, (b) the maximum
values of its speed and acceleration, and (c) the position,
5. A 7.00-kg object is hung from the bottom end of a verti- velocity, and acceleration as functions of time.
cal spring fastened to an overhead beam. The object is set
into vertical oscillations having a period of 2.60 s. Find the 11. Review. A particle moves along the x axis. It is initially at the
force constant of the spring. position 0.270 m, moving with velocity 0.140 m/s and accel-
eration 20.320 m/s2. Suppose it moves as a particle under
6. The initial position, velocity, and acceleration of an constant acceleration for 4.50 s. Find (a) its position and
object moving in simple harmonic motion are xi , vi , and (b) its velocity at the end of this time interval. Next, assume
ai ; the angular frequency of oscillation is ␻. (a) Show that it moves as a particle in simple harmonic motion for 4.50 s
the position and velocity of the object for all time can be and x 5 0 is its equilibrium position. Find (c) its position
written as and (d) its velocity at the end of this time interval.
vi
x(t) 5 xi cos ␻t 1 1␻2 sin ␻t 12. A simple harmonic oscillator takes 12.0 s to undergo
five complete vibrations. Find (a) the period of its motion,
v(t ) 5 2xi ␻ sin ␻t 1 vi cos ␻t (b) the frequency in hertz, and (c) the angular frequency in
(b) Using A to represent the amplitude of the motion, show radians per second.
that 13. A 0.500-kg object attached to a spring with a force con-
v2 2 ax 5 vi 2 2 aixi 5 ␻2A2 stant of 8.00 N/m vibrates in simple harmonic motion with
410  CHAPTER 12 | Oscillatory Motion

an amplitude of 10.0 cm. Calculate the maximum value energy of the system is 2.00 J. Find (a) the force constant of
of its (a) speed and (b) acceleration, (c) the speed and the spring and (b) the amplitude of the motion.
(d) the acceleration when the object is 6.00 cm from the
21. A 50.0-g object connected to a spring with a force con-
equilibrium position, and (e) the time interval required for
stant of 35.0 N/m oscillates with an amplitude of 4.00 cm
the object to move from x 5 0 to x 5 8.00 cm.
on a frictionless, horizontal surface. Find (a) the total en-
14. In an engine, a piston oscillates with simple harmonic ergy of the system and (b) the speed of the object when its
motion so that its position varies according to the expression position is 1.00 cm. Find (c) the kinetic energy and (d) the
␲ potential energy when its position is 3.00 cm.
1
x 5 5.00 cos 2t 1
6 2 22. Review. A 65.0-kg bungee jumper steps off a bridge with
where x is in centimeters and t is in seconds. At t 5 0, find a light bungee cord tied to her body and to the bridge. The
(a) the position of the piston, (b) its velocity, and (c) its ac- unstretched length of the cord is 11.0 m. The jumper reaches
celeration. Find (d) the period and (e) the amplitude of the bottom of her motion 36.0 m below the bridge before
the motion. bouncing back. We wish to find the time interval between her
leaving the bridge and her arriving at the bottom of her mo-
15. A vibration sensor, used in testing a washing machine, con-
tion. Her overall motion can be separated into an 11.0-m free
sists of a cube of aluminum 1.50 cm on edge mounted on
fall and a 25.0-m section of simple harmonic oscillation. (a) For
one end of a strip of spring steel (like a hacksaw blade) that
the free-fall part, what is the appropriate analysis model to de-
lies in a vertical plane. The strip’s mass is small compared
scribe her motion? (b) For what time interval is she in free fall?
with that of the cube, but the strip’s length is large com-
(c) For the simple harmonic oscillation part of the plunge, is
pared with the size of the cube. The other end of the strip
the system of the bungee jumper, the spring, and the Earth iso-
is clamped to the frame of the washing machine that is not
lated or nonisolated? (d) From your response in part (c) find
operating. A horizontal force of 1.43 N applied to the cube
the spring constant of the bungee cord. (e) What is the loca-
is required to hold it 2.75 cm away from its equilibrium posi-
tion of the equilibrium point where the spring force balances
tion. If it is released, what is its frequency of vibration?
the gravitational force exerted on the jumper? (f ) What is the
Section 12.3 Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator angular frequency of the oscillation? (g) What time interval is
required for the cord to stretch by 25.0 m? (h) What is the total
16. A block–spring system oscillates with an amplitude of time interval for the entire 36.0-m drop?
3.50 cm. The spring constant is 250 N/m and the mass of
the block is 0.500 kg. Determine (a) the mechanical energy 23. A particle executes simple harmonic motion with an ampli-
of the system, (b) the maximum speed of the block, and tude of 3.00 cm. At what position does its speed equal half
(c) the maximum acceleration. of its maximum speed?

17. A block of unknown mass is attached to a spring with a 24. A simple harmonic oscillator of amplitude A has
spring constant of 6.50 N/m and undergoes simple har- a total energy E. Determine (a) the kinetic energy and
monic motion with an amplitude of 10.0 cm. When the (b) the potential energy when the position is one-third the
block is halfway between its equilibrium position and the amplitude. (c) For what values of the position does the ki-
end point, its speed is measured to be 30.0 cm/s. Calculate netic energy equal one-half the potential energy? (d) Are
(a) the mass of the block, (b) the period of the motion, and there any values of the position where the kinetic energy is
(c) the maximum acceleration of the block. greater than the maximum potential energy? Explain.

18. A 2.00-kg object is attached to a spring and placed on a fric- 25. The amplitude of a system moving in simple harmonic
tionless, horizontal surface. A horizontal force of 20.0 N is motion is doubled. Determine the change in (a) the total
required to hold the object at rest when it is pulled 0.200 m energy, (b) the maximum speed, (c) the maximum accel-
from its equilibrium position (the origin of the x axis). The eration, and (d) the period.
object is now released from rest from this stretched posi- Section 12.4 The Simple Pendulum
tion, and it subsequently undergoes simple harmonic oscil-
lations. Find (a) the force constant of the spring, (b) the Section 12.5 The Physical Pendulum
frequency of the oscillations, and (c) the maximum speed Note: Problem 1.60 in Chapter 1 can also be assigned with
of the object. (d) Where does this maximum speed occur? this section.
(e) Find the maximum acceleration of the object. (f) Where
does the maximum acceleration occur? (g) Find the total 26. A “seconds pendulum” is one that moves through its equilib-
energy of the oscillating system. Find (h) the speed and (i) rium position once each second. (The period of the pendulum
the acceleration of the object when its position is equal to is precisely 2 s.) The length of a seconds pendulum is 0.992 7 m
one-third the maximum value. at Tokyo, Japan, and 0.994 2 m at Cambridge, England. What
19. To test the resiliency of its bumper during low-speed col- is the ratio of the free-fall accelerations at these two locations?
lisions, a 1 000-kg automobile is driven into a brick wall. 27. A physical pendulum in the form of a planar object
The car’s bumper behaves like a spring with a force con- moves in simple harmonic motion with a frequency of
stant 5.00 3 106 N/m and compresses 3.16 cm as the car 0.450 Hz. The pendulum has a mass of 2.20 kg, and the pivot
is brought to rest. What was the speed of the car before is located 0.350 m from the center of mass. Determine the
impact, assuming no mechanical energy is transformed or moment of inertia of the pendulum about the pivot point.
transferred away during impact with the wall?
28. A physical pendulum in the form of a planar object
20. A 200-g block is attached to a horizontal spring and executes moves in simple harmonic motion with a frequency f. The
simple harmonic motion with a period of 0.250 s. The total
 | Problems  411

pendulum has a mass m, and the pivot is located a distance Section 12.6 Damped Oscillations
d from the center of mass. Determine the moment of inertia
of the pendulum about the pivot point. 36. Show that the time rate of change of mechanical en-
ergy for a damped, undriven oscillator is given by dE/dt 5
29. The angular position of a pendulum is represented by the 2bv 2 and hence is always negative. To do so, differentiate
equation ␪ 5 0.032 0 cos ␻t, where ␪ is in radians and ␻ 5 the expression for the mechanical energy of an oscillator,
4.43 rad/s. Determine the period and length of the pendulum. E 5 12mv 2 1 12kx 2, and use Equation 12.28.
30. A small object is attached to the end of a string to form 37. A pendulum with a length of 1.00 m is released from an
a simple pendulum. The period of its harmonic motion initial angle of 15.08. After 1 000 s, its amplitude has been
is measured for small angular displacements and three reduced by friction to 5.508. What is the value of b/2m ?
lengths. For lengths of 1.000 m, 0.750 m, and 0.500 m, total
time intervals for 50 oscillations of 99.8 s, 86.6 s, and 71.1 s 38. Show that Equation 12.29 is a solution of Equation 12.28
are measured with a stopwatch. (a) Determine the period of provided that b 2 , 4mk.
motion for each length. (b) Determine the mean value of g
Section 12.7 Forced Oscillations
obtained from these three independent measurements and
compare it with the accepted value. (c) Plot T 2 versus L and 39. A 2.00-kg object attached to a spring moves without friction
obtain a value for g from the slope of your best-fit straight- (b 5 0) and is driven by an external force given by the expression
line graph. (d) Compare the value found in part (c) with F 5 3.00 sin (2␲t), where F is in newtons and t is in seconds. The
that obtained in part (b). force constant of the spring is 20.0 N/m. Find (a) the resonance
angular frequency of the system, (b) the angular frequency of
31. A very light rigid rod of length 0.500 m ex-
the driven system, and (c) the amplitude of the motion.
tends straight out from one end of a meter-
stick. The combination is suspended from a 40. Considering an undamped, forced oscillator (b 5 0),
pivot at the upper end of the rod as shown show that Equation 12.32 is a solution of Equation 12.31,
in Figure P12.31. The combination is then with an amplitude given by Equation 12.33.
pulled out by a small angle and released. 41. As you enter a fine restaurant, you realize that you have ac-
(a) Determine the period of oscillation of cidentally brought a small electronic timer from home in-
the system. (b) By what percentage does stead of your cell phone. In frustration, you drop the timer
the period differ from the period of a sim- into a side pocket of your suit coat, not realizing that the
ple pendulum 1.00 m long? Figure P12.31 timer is operating. The arm of your chair presses the light
32. A particle of mass m slides without friction inside a cloth of your coat against your body at one spot. Fabric with
hemispherical bowl of radius R. Show that if the particle a length L hangs freely below that spot, with the timer at the
starts from rest with a small displacement from equilibrium, bottom. At one point during your dinner, the timer goes off
it moves in simple harmonic motion with an angular fre- and a buzzer and a vibrator turn on and off with a frequency
quency equal to that of a simple pendulum of length R. of 1.50 Hz. It makes the hanging part of your coat swing
That is, ␻ 5 "g/R. back and forth with remarkably large amplitude, drawing
everyone’s attention. Find the value of L.
33. Review. A simple pendulum is 5.00 m long. What is the
period of small oscillations for this pendulum if it is located 42. A baby bounces up and down in her crib. Her mass is 12.5 kg,
in an elevator (a) accelerating upward at 5.00 m/s2? (b) Ac- and the crib mattress can be modeled as a light spring with
celerating downward at 5.00 m/s2? (c) What is the period of force constant 700 N/m. (a) The baby soon learns to bounce
this pendulum if it is placed in a truck that is accelerating with maximum amplitude and minimum effort by bending her
horizontally at 5.00 m/s2? knees at what frequency? (b) If she were to use the mattress as
a trampoline—losing contact with it for part of each cycle—
34. Consider the physical pendulum of Figure 12.14.
what minimum amplitude of oscillation does she require?
(a) Represent its moment of inertia about an axis passing
through its center of mass and parallel to the axis passing 43. Damping is negligible for a 0.150-kg object hanging from
through its pivot point as ICM. Show that its period is a light, 6.30-N/m spring. A sinusoidal force with an amplitude
of 1.70 N drives the system. At what frequency will the force
ICM 1 md 2 make the object vibrate with an amplitude of 0.440 m?
T 5 2␲
mgd
Section 12.8 Context Connection: Resonance in Structures
where d is the distance between the pivot point and the cen-
44. People who ride motorcycles and bicycles learn to look
ter of mass. (b) Show that the period has a minimum value
out for bumps in the road and especially for washboarding, a
when d satisfies md 2 5 ICM.
condition in which many equally spaced ridges are worn into
35. A simple pendulum has a mass of 0.250 kg and a the road. What is so bad about washboarding? A motorcycle
length of 1.00 m. It is displaced through an angle of 15.08 has several springs and shock absorbers in its suspension, but
and then released. Using the analysis model of a particle you can model it as a single spring supporting a block. You
in simple harmonic motion, what are (a) the maximum can estimate the force constant by thinking about how far
speed of the bob, (b) its maximum angular accelera- the spring compresses when a heavy rider sits on the seat.
tion, and (c) the maximum restoring force on the bob? A motorcyclist traveling at highway speed must be particu-
(d) What If? Solve parts (a) through (c) again by using larly careful of washboard bumps that are a certain distance
analysis models introduced in earlier chapters. (e) Com- apart. What is the order of magnitude of their separation
pare the answers. distance?
412  CHAPTER 12 | Oscillatory Motion

45. Four people, each with a mass of 72.4 kg, are in a car with a if ␪max is sufficiently small that the motion is nearly simple
mass of 1 130 kg. An earthquake strikes. The vertical oscillations harmonic. An empirical relationship that is based on the
of the ground surface make the car bounce up and down on same model and applies over a wider range of angles is
its suspension springs, but the driver manages to pull off the
road and stop. When the frequency of the shaking is 1.80 Hz, "6g , cos(␪max/2) sin ␪max
v5
the car exhibits a maximum amplitude of vibration. The earth- ␲
quake ends and the four people leave the car as fast as they can. (b) Evaluate the walking speed of a human with leg length
By what distance does the car’s undamaged suspension lift the 0.850 m and leg-swing amplitude 28.08. (c) What leg
car’s body as the people get out? length would give twice the speed for the same angular
amplitude?
Additional Problems 51. The mass of the deuterium molecule (D2) is twice that of
the hydrogen molecule (H2). If the vibrational frequency of
46. (a) A hanging spring stretches by 35.0 cm when an ob- H2 is 1.30 3 1014 Hz, what is the vibrational frequency of D2?
ject of mass 450 g is hung on it at rest. In this situation, we Assume the “spring constant” of attracting forces is the same
define its position as x 5 0. The object is pulled down an for the two molecules.
additional 18.0 cm and released from rest to oscillate with-
out friction. What is its position x at a moment 84.4 s later? 52. Why is the following situation impossible? Your job involves
(b) Find the distance traveled by the vibrating object in part building very small damped oscillators. One of your designs
(a). (c) What If? Another hanging spring stretches by 35.5 involves a spring–object oscillator with a spring of force con-
cm when an object of mass 440 g is hung on it at rest. We stant k 5 10.0 N/m and an object of mass m 5 1.00 g. Your
define this new position as x 5 0. This object is also pulled design objective is that the oscillator undergo many oscilla-
down an additional 18.0 cm and released from rest to oscil- tions as its amplitude falls to 25.0% of its initial value in a cer-
late without friction. Find its position 84.4 s later. (d) Find tain time interval. Measurements on your latest design show
the distance traveled by the object in part (c). (e) Why are that the amplitude falls to the 25.0% value in 23.1 ms. This
the answers to parts (a) and (c) so different when the initial time interval is too long for what is needed in your project. To
data in parts (a) and (c) are so similar and the answers to shorten the time interval, you double the damping constant
parts (b) and (d) are relatively close? Does this circumstance b for the oscillator. This doubling allows you to reach your
reveal a fundamental difficulty in calculating the future? design objective.
47. Review. A large block P attached m 53. A horizontal plank of mass
to a light spring executes hori- 5.00 kg and length 2.00 m
zontal, simple harmonic motion is pivoted at one end. The u
as it slides across a frictionless plank’s other end is sup-
surface with a frequency f 5 ported by a spring of force
1.50 Hz. Block B rests on it as constant 100 N/m (Fig.
shown in Figure P12.47, and Figure P12.47 Problems 47 P12.53). The plank is dis-
the coefficient of static friction and 48. placed by a small angle ␪
between the two is ␮s 5 0.600. What maximum amplitude of from its horizontal equilib- Figure P12.53 Problems 53
oscillation can the system have if block B is not to slip? rium position and released. and 54.
Find the angular frequency
48. Review. A large block P attached to a light spring exe- with which the plank moves with simple harmonic motion.
cutes horizontal, simple harmonic motion as it slides across
a frictionless surface with a frequency f. Block B rests on it as 54. A horizontal plank of mass m and length L is pivoted at
shown in Figure P12.47, and the coefficient of static friction one end. The plank’s other end is supported by a spring of
between the two is ␮s. What maximum amplitude of oscilla- force constant k (Fig. P12.53). The plank is displaced by a
tion can the system have if block B is not to slip? small angle ␪ from its horizontal equilibrium position and
released. Find the angular frequency with which the plank
49. A particle with a mass of 0.500 kg is attached to a horizontal moves with simple harmonic motion.
spring with a force constant of 50.0 N/m. At the moment
t 5 0, the particle has its maximum speed of 20.0 m/s and is 55. A simple pendulum with a length of 2.23 m and a mass
moving to the left. (a) Determine the particle’s equation of of 6.74 kg is given an initial speed of 2.06 m/s at its equi-
motion, specifying its position as a function of time. (b) Where librium position. Assume it undergoes simple harmonic
in the motion is the potential energy three times the kinetic motion. Determine (a) its period, (b) its total energy, and
energy? (c) Find the minimum time interval required for the (c) its maximum angular displacement.
particle to move from x 5 0 to x 5 1.00 m. (d) Find the length
56. A block of mass m is con-
of a simple pendulum with the same period.
nected to two springs of force
50. To account for the walking speed of a bipedal or qua- constants k1 and k2 in two ways
drupedal animal, model a leg that is not contacting the as shown in Figure P12.56. In
ground as a uniform rod of length ,, swinging as a physical both cases, the block moves on
pendulum through one-half of a cycle, in resonance. Let a frictionless table after it is dis-
␪max represent its amplitude. (a) Show that the animal’s placed from equilibrium and
speed is given by the expression released. Show that in the two
cases the block exhibits simple
"6g, sin ␪max
v5 harmonic motion with periods
␲ Figure P12.56
 | Problems  413

m(k1 1 k2) m maximum extension of the spring from its unstressed posi-
(a)T 5 2␲ and (b)T 5 2␲ tion is very nearly given by ␮smg/k. (b) Show that the block
k 1k 2 k1 1 k2
oscillates around an equilibrium position at which the spring
57. Review. One end of a light is stretched by ␮kmg/k. (c) Graph the block’s position versus
spring with force constant time. (d) Show that the amplitude of the block’s motion is
k 5 100 N/m is attached to a
vertical wall. A light string is (␮s 2 ␮k)mg
A5
tied to the other end of the k
horizontal spring. As shown (e) Show that the period of the block’s motion is
in Figure P12.57, the string
2(␮s 2 ␮k)mg m
changes from horizontal to T5 1␲
vertical as it passes over a pul- vk k
Figure P12.57
ley of mass M in the shape of It is the excess of static over kinetic friction that is important
a solid disk of radius R 5 2.00 cm. The pulley is free to turn for the vibration. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” because
on a fixed, smooth axle. The vertical section of the string even a viscous fluid cannot exert a force of static friction.
supports an object of mass m 5 200 g. The string does not
slip at its contact with the pulley. The object is pulled down-
ward a small distance and released. (a) What is the angular
frequency ␻ of oscillation of the object in terms of the mass S
v
M ? (b) What is the highest possible value of the angular fre-
quency of oscillation of the object? (c) What is the highest
possible value of the angular frequency of oscillation of the
object if the pulley radius is doubled to R 5 4.00 cm? Figure P12.60
58. After a thrilling plunge, bungee jumpers bounce freely 61. Review. This problem extends the reasoning of Prob-
on the bungee cord through many cycles. After the first few lem 48 in Chapter 8. Two gliders are set in motion on an
cycles, the cord does not go slack. Your little brother can air track. Glider 1 has mass m1 5 0.240 kg and moves to the
make a pest of himself by figuring out the mass of each per- right with speed 0.740 m/s. It will have a rear-end collision
son, using a proportion that you set up by solving the follow- with glider 2, of mass m2 5 0.360 kg, which initially moves
ing problem. An object of mass m is oscillating freely on a to the right with speed 0.120 m/s. A light spring of force
light vertical spring with a period T. An object of unknown constant 45.0 N/m is attached to the back end of glider 2
mass m9 on the same spring oscillates with a period T 9. De- as shown in Figure P8.48. When glider 1 touches the spring,
termine (a) the spring constant and (b) the unknown mass. superglue instantly and permanently makes it stick to its
59. A small ball of mass M is attached end of the spring. (a) Find the common speed the two
to the end of a uniform rod of equal gliders have when the spring is at maximum compression.
mass M and length L that is pivoted at (b) Find the maximum spring compression distance. The
the top (Fig. P12.59). Determine the motion after the gliders become attached consists of a com-
tensions in the rod (a) at the pivot and bination of (1) the constant-velocity motion of the center
(b) at the point P when the system is of mass of the two-glider system found in part (a) and (2)
stationary. (c) Calculate the period simple harmonic motion of the gliders relative to the center
of oscillation for small displacements  of mass. (c) Find the energy of the center-of-mass motion.
from equilibrium and (d) determine (d) Find the energy of the oscillation.
this period for L 5 2.00 m. 62. A ball of mass m is
Figure P12.59
60. Your thumb squeaks on a plate you connected to two rub-
have just washed. Your sneakers squeak on the gym floor. Car ber bands of length
tires squeal when you start or stop abruptly. You can make a L, each under tension
goblet sing by wiping your moistened finger around its rim. T as shown in Fig-
When chalk squeaks on a blackboard, you can see that it makes ure P12.62. The ball Figure P12.62
a row of regularly spaced dashes. As these examples suggest, is displaced by a small
vibration commonly results when friction acts on a moving distance y perpendicular to the length of the rubber bands.
elastic object. The oscillation is not simple harmonic motion, Assuming the tension does not change, show that (a) the
but is called stick-and-slip. This problem models stick-and-slip restoring force is 2(2T/L) y and (b) the system exhibits simple
motion. harmonic motion with an angular frequency ␻ 5 "2T/mL.
A block of mass m is attached to a fixed support by a hori- 63. Review. A particle of mass 4.00 kg is attached to a spring
zontal spring with force constant k and negligible mass with a force constant of 100 N/m. It is oscillating on a fric-
(Fig. P12.60). Hooke’s law describes the spring both in exten- tionless, horizontal surface with an amplitude of 2.00 m. A
sion and in compression. The block sits on a long horizontal 6.00-kg object is dropped vertically on top of the 4.00-kg
board, with which it has coefficient of static friction ␮s and a object as it passes through its equilibrium point. The two
smaller coefficient of kinetic friction ␮k. The board moves to objects stick together. (a) What is the new amplitude of the
the right at constant speed v. Assume the block spends most vibrating system after the collision? (b) By what factor has
of its time sticking to the board and moving to the right with the period of the system changed? (c) By how much does
it, so the speed v is small in comparison to the average speed the energy of the system change as a result of the collision?
the block has as it slips back toward the left. (a) Show that the (d) Account for the change in energy.
414  CHAPTER 12 | Oscillatory Motion

64. A smaller disk of radius r and fastened to a wall as shown in Figure P12.67a. A second ob-
mass m is attached rigidly to the ject, m 2 5 7.00 kg, is slowly pushed up against m 1, compress-
face of a second larger disk of ing the spring by the amount A 5 0.200 m (see Fig. P12.67b).
radius R and mass M as shown The system is then released, and both objects start moving to
in Figure P12.64. The center of the right on the frictionless surface. (a) When m 1 reaches
u u
the small disk is located at the the equilibrium point, m 2 loses contact with m 1 (see
edge of the large disk. The large Fig. P12.67c) and moves to the right with speed v. Deter-
disk is mounted at its center on mine the value of v. (b) How far apart are the objects when
S
a frictionless axle. The assembly v the spring is fully stretched for the first time (the distance
is rotated through a small angle D in Fig. P12.67d)?
␪ from its equilibrium position Figure P12.64
68. Review. Why is the following
and released. (a) Show that the speed of the center of the situation impossible? You are in
small disk as it passes through the equilibrium position is the high-speed package delivery
Rg (1 2 cos ␪) 1/2
business. Your competitor in the
v52 3(M/m) 1 (r/R) 1 24 2 next building gains the right-of-
way to build an evacuated tun-
(b) Show that the period of the motion is
nel just above the ground all the
1/2
(M 1 2m)R 2 1 mr 2 way around the Earth. By firing
T 5 2␲ 3 2mgR 4 packages into this tunnel at just
the right speed, your competi-
65. A pendulum of length L and Figure P12.68
tor is able to send the packages
mass M has a spring of force con- into orbit around the Earth in
stant k connected to it at a distance this tunnel so that they arrive on the exact opposite side of
h below its point of suspension the Earth in a very short time interval. You come up with a
(Fig. P12.65). Find the frequency competing idea. Figuring that the distance through the Earth
of vibration of the system for small is shorter than the distance around the Earth, you obtain
values of the amplitude (small ␪). As- u
permits to build an evacuated tunnel through the center
sume the vertical suspension rod of of the Earth. By simply dropping packages into this tunnel,
length L is rigid, but ignore its mass. they fall downward and arrive at the other end of your tun-
66. Consider the damped oscillator illus- nel, which is in a building right next to the other end of
trated in Figure 12.16a. The mass of your competitor’s tunnel. Because your packages arrive on
the object is 375 g, the spring constant the other side of the Earth in a shorter time interval, you
Figure P12.65
is 100 N/m, and b 5 0.100 N · s/m. win the competition and your business flourishes. Note: An
(a) Over what time interval does the amplitude drop to half object at a distance r from the center of the Earth is pulled
its initial value? (b) What If? Over what time interval does toward the center of the Earth only by the mass within the
the mechanical energy drop to half its initial value? (c) Show sphere of radius r (the reddish region in Fig. P12.68). As-
that, in general, the fractional rate at which the amplitude sume the Earth has uniform density.
decreases in a damped harmonic oscillator is one-half the 69. A block of mass M is connected to a spring of mass m
fractional rate at which the mechanical energy decreases. and oscillates in simple harmonic motion on a friction-
67. An object of mass m1 5 9.00 kg is in equilibrium when con- less, horizontal track (Fig. P12.69). The force constant of
nected to a light spring of constant k 5 100 N/m that is the spring is k, and the equilibrium length is ,. Assume all
portions of the spring oscillate in phase and the velocity
of a segment of the spring of length dx is proportional
to the distance x from the fixed end; that is, vx 5 (x/,)v.
Also, notice that the mass of a segment of the spring is
dm 5 (m/,) dx. Find (a) the kinetic energy of the sys-
tem when the block has a speed v and (b) the period of
oscillation.

S
v
S
v

S Figure P12.69
v

Figure P12.67