Question

Two balls with masses m₁ = 1.0 kg and m₂ = 2.0 kg are slipped on a thin smooth horizontal rod (Fig. 4.19). The balls are interconnected by a light spring of stiffness x = 24 N/m. The lefthand ball is imparted the initial velocity v₁ =12 cm/s. Find: 

(a) the oscillation frequency of the system in the process of motion; 

(b) the energy and the amplitude of oscillations.

Answer 1

Suppose the balls 1 & 2 are displaced by x₁ , x₂ from their initial position. Then the energy is :

(a) From the above equation

(b) The energy of oscillation is