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183_notes:springmotion [2021/02/18 21:03] – [Modeling Motion with Spring Forces] stumptyl | 183_notes:springmotion [2024/01/31 17:07] (current) – caballero | ||
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In all real-world interactions, | In all real-world interactions, | ||
- | However, there are several interactions whose strength and direction depend on the location (and not the velocity) of a system. The simplest of such interactions is the spring force. In these notes, you will read about the spring force, how to determine if the interactions of a system can be modeled using a spring-like force, and how to model the motion of a system subject to spring interaction. | + | However, there are several interactions whose strength and direction depend on the location (and not the velocity) of a system. The simplest of such interactions is the spring force. |
- | ==== Model of a Spring ==== | + | ===== Model of a Spring |
The simulation below shows the interaction of a mass on a spring. | The simulation below shows the interaction of a mass on a spring. | ||
- | {{url>http://www.pa.msu.edu/~caballero/teaching/simulations/ | + | \\ |
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+ | {{url>https://glowscript.org/#/user/danny/ | ||
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If we plotted the location of this mass (relative to its average location) as a function of time for 10 seconds, we might observe the following: | If we plotted the location of this mass (relative to its average location) as a function of time for 10 seconds, we might observe the following: | ||
- | {{url> | + | \\ |
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You might have seen this kind of plot before. It's a [[http:// | You might have seen this kind of plot before. It's a [[http:// | ||
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ω=2πT | ω=2πT | ||
- | where ω is the rate of oscillation in terms of how many radians the spring-mass system moves through each second. | + | __//where ω is the rate of oscillation in terms of how many radians the spring-mass system moves through each second |
+ | //__ | ||
[[http:// | [[http:// | ||
- | === The spring force is a non-constant force === | + | ==== The spring force is a non-constant force ==== |
The force that a spring will exert depends on how far and in what direction it is stretched (or compressed) relative to its //relaxed length.// All springs have a relaxed length where they are neither stretched nor compressed. Mathematically, | The force that a spring will exert depends on how far and in what direction it is stretched (or compressed) relative to its //relaxed length.// All springs have a relaxed length where they are neither stretched nor compressed. Mathematically, | ||
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where L is the length of spring (stretched or compressed) and L0 is the relaxed length of the spring. | where L is the length of spring (stretched or compressed) and L0 is the relaxed length of the spring. | ||
- | === Why the minus sign? === | + | ==== Why the minus sign? ==== |
In the formula for the spring force, the stretch of the spring is a vector (→s) that points in the direction of the stretch. We observe that the spring force always points in the direction opposite the stretch, so the minus sign in the formula takes care of (and reminds you of) that. | In the formula for the spring force, the stretch of the spring is a vector (→s) that points in the direction of the stretch. We observe that the spring force always points in the direction opposite the stretch, so the minus sign in the formula takes care of (and reminds you of) that. | ||
Sometimes, it's useful to first calculate the size of the spring force (i.e., it's magnitude) and then determine the direction in the coordinate system that you have chosen. | Sometimes, it's useful to first calculate the size of the spring force (i.e., it's magnitude) and then determine the direction in the coordinate system that you have chosen. | ||
- | ==== When is an interaction spring-like? | + | ===== When is an interaction spring-like? |
The spring force is not a [[http:// | The spring force is not a [[http:// |