Preflight assignment 9


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  1. Look at Taylor's Fig. 5.4. In your own words, where did that come from? Why does THAT triangle (with those particular choices of sides) tell us about delta? (Could he have equally well drawn it with B1 and B2 flipped, for instance?)





  2. The equation for Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is x(t)''= -omega^2 x(t).
    Where does omega come from? (What determines it? Is it arbitrary, is it set by initial conditions, or what)? What does it tell you, physically? (What are its units?)






  3. The general solution to that SHM equation can be written in many ways, including:
    (i) A cos(omega t) + B sin(omega t)
    or ii) C cos(omega t - delta)

    Where do A, B, C and delta come from? (What determines them? Is it arbitrary, is it set by initial conditions, or what)
    And, in particular What does A tell you, physically? (What are its units?) What about B? What about C?





    figure


  4. The figure above shows x(t) for two different oscillators. If we use the form x(t)=Acos(omega t + phi), which of the constants (A, omega, and/or phi) are DIFFERENT for the two oscillators? For any that are different, explain whether the parameter for oscillator 2 is LARGER or SMALLER.





  5. Please submit a question you have about the reading assigned for the upcoming class. What seemed hard, was something confusing, what would you like us to spend class time on? If you can't come up with any question, how about a comment - (did anything strike you as interesting? )
    Reminder: the reading assignments are on our course calendar


    Thanks for your time.

Optional! - below is a space for any additional relevant comments, thoughts, or suggestions you have.




When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.