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home / study / science / physics / physics questions and answers / 2. an object is attached to a vertical spring. you slowly release the object and allow it ... Your question has been answered Let us know if you got a helpful answer. Rate this answer Question: 2. An object is attached to a vertical spring. You slowly release the object and allow it to stre... 2. An object is attached to a vertical spring. You slowly release the object and allow it to stretch the spring and come to rest. Assume that the spring is parallel to a y-axis so that y = 0 is the point where the object is at rest. a. You now pull the object downward to stretch the spring more, and release the object from rest at t = 0. The object then goes up and down on the spring. Sketch a graph of y vs. t for the motion of the object on the spring. Explain. b. Decide on the type of function that represents this graph. Use calculus to show that the acceleration vector of the object is directed opposite to the position vector of the object. c. Explain the conceptual meaning of the conclusion in part (b). (Note: even if you cannot complete part (b), you can assume it is correct and do part (c).)

Answer 1

c. the conceptual meaning of acceleration is directed opposite to velocity is that when the spring is pulled in one direction, the restoring force of the spring tries to bring back the spring to its original position, similarly if the spring is compressed then the restoring force tries to push the spring to its original position, in both cases the force acts opposite to displacement, thus the acceleration will be acting opposite to that of displacement. this type of motion is an example of Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM).