Problem 1: An object of mass m1 = 9 kg is in equilibrium while connected to a light

spring of constant k = 100 N/m that is fastened to a wall as shown in the Fig. 1a below. A
second object, m2 = 7 kg, is slowly pushed up against m1, compressing the spring by the
amount A = 0.200 m (see Fig. 1b). The system is then released, and both objects start
moving to the right on the frictionless surface. (a) When m1 reaches the equilibrium point,
m2 looses contact with m1 (see Fig. 1c) and moves to the right with speed v. Determine
the value of v. (b) How far apart are the objects when the spring is fully stretched for the
first time (D in Fig. 1d)?

Solution:

Problem 2: A vertical spring with spring constant 305 N/m vibrates with the amplitude
of 28 cm when 0.260 kg hangs from it. The mass passes through the equilibrium point
(y = 0) with positive velocity at t = 0. (a) What equation describes this motion as a
function of time? (b) At what times will the spring have its maximum and minimum
extensions?

Solution:

Problem 3: A 52-kg person jumps from a window to a fire net 20.0 m below, which
stretches the net 1.1 m. Assume that the net behaves like a simple vertical spring and
calculate how much it would stretch if the same person were lying on it. How much
would it stretch if the person jumped from 35 m?
Solution:
We choose h = 0 at the unstretched position of the net and let the stretch of the net be x. We
use energy conservation between the release point and the lowest point to find the spring
constant:
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf ;
0 + mghi = 0 + mg( x1) + kx12, or mg(hi + x1) = kx12;
(52 kg)(9.80 m/s2)(20.0 m + 1.1 m) = k(1.1 m)2, which gives
k = 1.78 104 N/m.
Alternatively, if one chooses h = 0 at the maximum stretched position of the net:
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf ;
0 + mg(hi+ x1) = 0 + kx12;
(52 kg)(9.80 m/s2)(20.0 m + 1.1 m) = k(1.1 m)2, which gives
k = 1.78 104 N/m.
When the person lies on the net, the weight causes the deflection:
mg = kx2;
(52 kg)(9.80 m/s2) = (1.78 104 N/m)x2 ,
which gives x2 = 0.0287 m =

2.9 cm.

We use energy conservation between the release point and the lowest point to find the
stretch:
Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf ;
0 + mghi = 0 + mg( x3) + kx32, or mg(hi + x3) = kx32;
(52 kg)(9.80 m/s2)(35 m + x3) = (1.78 104 N/m) x32.
This is a quadratic equation for x3 , for which the positive result is

1.4 m.

Problem 4: A transverse wave with an amplitude of 2.50 mm and a wavelength of 1.8 m

travels from left to right along a long, horizontal, stretched string with a speed of 36.0
m/s. Take the origin at the left end of the undisturbed string. At time t = 0 the left end of
the string has its maximum upward displacement. (a) What are the frequency, angular
frequency, and wave number of the wave? (b) What is the function y(x,t) that describes
the wave? (c) What is y(t) for a particle at the left end of the string? (d) What is y(t) for a
particle 1.35 m to the right of the origin? (e) What is the maximum magnitude of
transverse velocity of any particle of the string? (f) Find the transverse displacement and
the transverse velocity of a particle 1.35 m to the right of the origin at time t = 0.0625 s.

Solution: