Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
 

Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion problem 17


A bar magnet of mass is suspended from the free end of a spring, as illustrated in the figure below.




The magnet hangs so that one pole is near the centre of a coil of wire. The coil is connected in series with a resistor and a switch. The switch is open. The magnet is displaced vertically and then allowed to oscillate with one pole remaining inside the coil. The other pole remains outside the coil. At time , the magnet is oscillating freely as it passes through its equilibrium position. At time , the switch in the circuit is closed. The variation with time of the vertical displacement of the magnet is shown in the graph below.




  • Determine, to two significant figures, the frequency of oscillation of the magnet.


  • Calculate the change in the energy of oscillation of the magnet between time and time . Explain your working.


 

main author and content editor: Ebenezer Famadewa