A 0.5 kg air-track car is attached to the end of a horizontal spring of constant k = 20 N/m. The car is displaced 15 cm from its
equilibrium point and released. a) What is the car's maximum speed? b) What is the car's maximum acceleration? c) What is the frequency f of the car's oscillation?
I need help please. What equations should I use for each problems?
Find the amount of work that the spring does. This can be found using the equation 1/2kx^2. Then, you must set that equal to the amount of kinetic energy the car has. This is possible thanks to the work-energy theorem.
1/2kx^2 = 1/2mv^2
Solve to find velocity. Remember, the spring is displaced .15 m, not 15!
To find the acceleration, use F = ma. The force being applied to the car is kx, and you know the mass. You do the math.
For problem C I don't know, haven't done that yet in my class. Sorry!
