Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A spring of spring constant holds a block of on a smooth floor. (a) Find the period. The spring is then cut into two pieces whose lengths are in the ratio . The block is fixed between the two pieces, and their far ends are fixed to two walls, with both pieces at their natural length. (b) Find the spring constant of each piece. (c) Find the new period, and the ratio of the new period to the old one.
A hanging spring rests at a stretch with , and . In parallel ; in series . A piece of a spring has a larger : length stays the same.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
(a) .
(b) The shorter piece is of the length, so . The longer piece is of it, so .
(c) Move the block by . One piece stretches and the other is squeezed, and both push it back. So , and . The ratio is .
Answer: ; and ; , a ratio of .
Check. Joined end to end, the two pieces give back the old spring: .
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…