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simple harmonic motion

how you do you derive it
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by jonnypdot
do you use x=Asin(2pift) when the spring starts from its equilibrium position and use x=Acos(2pift) when string starts from max displacement? Also how could you deduce where string started from without looking at any graphs or them telling you? Is that possible? Thank you


You are correct.

There is no hard and fast rule of deciding which to use and you will have to use your judgement. In general it will usually say "A mass on a spring is extended and then let go..." (which would indicate it starts at max displacement) or "find the displacement 5s after it passes through the equilibrium position" (which tells you to start at the equilibrium position) or some other thing like that which makes it quite clear.

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