Oscillation of a Spring-Coupled Rod

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Oscillations Intermediate Simple harmonic oscillation

Source: Principles of Physics

Problem Sets:

Oscillators

Problem

An overhead view shows a long uniform rod of mass 0.600 kg free to rotate in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis through its center. A spring with force constant k = 1850 N/m is connected horizontally between one end of the rod and a fixed wall. In equilibrium, the rod is parallel to the wall, and the spring is perpendicular to the rod.

What is the period of small oscillations when the rod is rotated slightly and released?
P0681-problem-1

P0681-problem-1

[Q1] T = 0.0653 s

The period of angular SHM is $T = 2\pi\sqrt{I/\kappa}$. The moment of inertia of a rod of length $L$ rotating about its center is $I = \frac{1}{12}mL^2$.

For a small angular displacement $\theta$, the end of the rod moves a distance $x \approx (L/2)\theta$, stretching the spring. The spring exerts a restoring force $F = kx = k(L/2)\theta$. The force is nearly perpendicular to the rod, with a lever arm of $L/2$. The restoring torque is $\tau = -F(L/2) = -[k(L/2)\theta](L/2) = -k(L/2)^2\theta$. The torsional constant is $\kappa = k(L/2)^2$.

The period of oscillation is:

$$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{I}{\kappa}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{\frac{1}{12}mL^2}{k(L/2)^2}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{mL^2/12}{kL^2/4}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{3k}}$$

The length $L$ cancels out.

$$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{0.600 \text{ kg}}{3(1850 \text{ N/m})}} = 0.0653 \text{ s}$$