Physics Challenges for

Teachers and Students

Solutions for January 2004 Challenges

Harmony and Friction

Challenge: When the system shown in the diagram is in
tuting the result into the second equation gives
equilibrium, the right spring is stretched by x1. The coefficient k(x1 x) f = 2kx. Solving for f gives
of static friction between the blocks is s; there is no friction
between the bottom block and the supporting surface. The
force constants of the springs are k and 3k (see the diagram).
f = k(x1 + x).
The blocks have equal mass m. Find the maximum amplitude
of the oscillations of the system shown in the diagram that The maximum value for x is the amplitude A,
does not allow the top block to slide on the bottom.
and the maximum value for f is smg. Thus,
smg = k(x1 + Amax). Solving for Amax gives
smg
Amax = x1.
k
(Contributed by Eugene P. Mosca, U.S. Naval
Academy, Annapolis, MD)

Solution: The origin is at the equilibrium posi-

tion and the direction of increasing x is toward Down Under
Find the period of low-amplitude
the right. If the blocks are at the origin, the net vertical vibrations of the system
force on them is zero. If the blocks are a small shown. The mass of the block is
m. The pulley hangs from the
distance x to the right of the origin, the value ceiling on a spring with a force
of the force exerted by the spring on the right constant k. The block hangs from
is less than its value with the blocks at the an ideal string.
equilibrium position by kx. Furthermore, the
(Column Editors Note: For this problem, we
value of the force exerted by the spring on the
are posting two solutions that use different
left is less than (more negative than) its value
approaches.)
with the blocks in the equilibrium position by
3kx. Therefore, with the blocks at position x Solution: When we give the block a displace-
the value of the net force on them is 4kx. ment x, the spring gets a stretch x and a force
Applying Newtons second law to the two- kx. This gives a force on the block:
block system gives
F = kx.
4kx = 2max.
The standard formula for the period of a mass-
Applying Newtons second law to the lower spring combination gives then:
block gives
T = 2
mk = 4
mk.
k(x1 x) f = max,
(Contributed by Hubert N. Biezeveld, Zwaag,
where f is the magnitude of the frictional force. The Netherlands)
Solving the first equation for max and substi-

A-1 THE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 42, March 2004

 Solution 2: At an arbitrary instant, let the pul-
ley be displaced vertically a distance y below
the relaxed position of the end of the spring.
This implies the block is displaced a distance
2y below the position it has when the spring is
relaxed. Consequently, the kinetic energy of the
.
block is K = m(2y )2, and the potential energy
of the system is U = ky 2 mg(2y). The equi-
librium displacement y0 of the pulley is found
by requiring

dU
= 0 ky0 = 2mg 2[m/ (mg/L)] = 2 (g/L)-. To find the peri-
dy y0
U = k(y y0)2  kx2
to within an unimportant constant, where x is
the stretch of the spring from equilibrium. We
.
can also write K = (4m)x 2. Thus the effective
mass of the system is 4m and the effective
spring constant is k, so that
2
4m
k

 k
m
T = = 2 T = 4

by comparison with the usual solution to the
simple harmonic oscillator problem.
(Contributed by Carl E. Mungan, U. S. Naval
Academy, Annapolis, MD)
Good Vibes
Challenge: Two simple pendulums of length L each are
attached to the ceiling. The small balls attached to the
strings have equal masses m. The weights are connected by
a very light relaxed rubber band (not a spring) with the
force constant k. At a certain moment, each ball is given a
light quick push as shown, resulting in equal initial speeds.
Find the period T of the ensuing motion.
Solution: The fact that the pendula hang verti-
cally at equilibrium implies that the rubber
band tension is zero at that moment. If the
bobs are each displaced a
distance x, then the rubber
band is stretched by 2x,
resulting in a tension of
2kx. Gravity and the string
THE PHYSICS TEACHER Vol. 42, March 2004
tension act together to produce an additional
restoring force of mgx/L on each bob. The total
restoring force on each bob is then
(2k + mg/L)x when the bobs are moved out-
ward from their equilibrium positions, and
(mg/L)x when they are moved inward.
In general, the period of a simple harmonic
motion is T = 2/. Then, for the first (out-
ward) half-cycle this becomes P1 =
2 [m/(2k + mg/L)] = 2 (2k/m + g/L)-, and
for the second (inward) half-cycle it is P2 =
od of the motion we add the two half-periods:
T = (P1 + P2)/2 = [(2k/m + g/L)- + (g/L)-].
(Contributed by Art Hovey, Milford, CT)
Several other readers also sent us correct solu-
tions to the January Challenges. We would like
to recognize the following contributors:
James J. Carr (Webster, NY)
John F. Goehl Jr. (Barry University, Miami
Shores, FL)
John Spokas (Benedictine University, Lisle, IL)
Leo H. van den Raadt (Heemstede, The Nether-
lands)
We appreciate your submissions and hope to
receive more solutions in the future.
Note to contributors: As the number of submissions
grows, we request that certain guidelines be observed
in order to facilitate the process more efficiently:
- please email the solutions as Word files;
- please name the file April04LSimpson if for
instance your name is Lisa Simpson, and you are
sending the solutions to April 2004 Challenges;
- please state your name, hometown, and professional
affiliation in the file, not only in the email message.
Many thanks!
Please send correspondence to:
Boris Korsunsky
444 Wellesley St.
Weston, MA 02493-2631
korsunbo@post.harvard.edu
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