Warmup #18: SHM

Course

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Please type your LAST NAME and LAST FOUR SS# digits:

IN:
The first three questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation for the lesson. Questions one and two require you to write a three or four sentence response. Number three is a multiple choice question. Click in the appropriate circle. Questions 4 is your opportunity to suggest what we should emphasize today and how.

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of this page.

1.

An oscillation is a physical phenomenon characterized by the fact that the configuration of a physical system repeats (or almost repeats) itself over and over again. Simple harmonic oscillations are a special case of this. An oscillation is simple harmonic if the period (the time for one cycle) does not depend on the amplitude (the maximum displacement from equilibrium.)

In the following set, identify the oscillation that are simple harmonic, the ones that are approximately simple harmonic and the ones that are not simple harmonic.

 

  1. The pendulum in a grandfather clock
  2. A boat in water pushed down and released
  3. A child on a swing
  4. A mass hanging from a spring
  5. A ping-pong ball bouncing on the floor





2.

Estimate the period of a basketball, dropped from a height of one meter and allowed to bounce on a hard floor.

Is this oscillation simple harmonic?




3.

The animation shows the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (see Online Destinations) shortly before its collapse. What is its frequency?

.1Hz

.25 Hz

.50 Hz

1 Hz

4. Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's assignment (what seemed impossible, what reading didn't make sense, what we should spend class time on, what was "cool", etc.):



You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT button.

I received no help from anyone on this assignment.