Two questions: 1: If you know that a spring with a mass, m, and a spring constan

Question

Two questions:

1:

If you know that a spring with a mass, m, and a spring constant, k, has a frequency of 4 oscillations/second, and you move this setup to the moon, would the frequency still be 4 oscillations/second?

My reasoning is that it would stay the same because and gravity has no effect?

Based on this reasoning, if this setup were then moved to the international space station, then the frequency would STILL be the same, right?

2:

If you have a spring that oscillates in the vertical direction, what role does gravity play? Does it provide the restoring force?

If you then lay this spring down horizontally would it still oscillate? What role does gravity play now?

Explanation / Answer

The basic equation for the period of an undamped oscillating spring is T=2(k/m) The value of the acceleration due to gravity should not matter. Using the same spring and mass, the frequency should be the same on earth as on the moon, space station, etc. I hope this helps. :)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---