An average adult elephant $ (5000 \, \text{kg}) $ is strapped to a spring, which is then pulled $ 2 \, \text{meters} $ away from its equilibrium position and released. The elephant starts oscillating back and forth with a period of $ 10 $ seconds.

Question

An average adult elephant $ (5000 \, \text{kg}) $ is strapped to a spring, which is then pulled $ 2 \, \text{meters} $ away from its equilibrium position and released. The elephant starts oscillating back and forth with a period of $ 10 $ seconds.(a) Determine the spring constant of the spring.
, (b) Write down the equation of motion (position equation) for the elephant on the spring.
, (c) Calculate how long it will take the elephant to travel from a displacement of $ 0.5 \, \text{m} $ to a displacement of $ 1 \, \text{m} $.
:

Rita · Accepted Answer

$k = 200\pi^2 \text{ N/m}$
$x(t) = 2\cos(\frac{\pi}{5}t)$
$\Delta t = \frac{5}{\pi}(\cos^{-1}(0.25)-\frac{\pi}{3}) \approx 0.43\;\text{s}$

Log In to Continue

Similar Questions

Tools for a 5