- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Motion Analysis
Problem 3.7.101a
Textbook Question
{Use of Tech} A damped oscillator The displacement of a mass on a spring suspended from the ceiling is given by .
a. Graph the displacement function.

1
Identify the components of the displacement function: The function is given by \( y = 10e^{-\frac{t}{2}}\cos\left(\frac{\pi t}{8}\right) \). It consists of an exponential decay term \( 10e^{-\frac{t}{2}} \) and a cosine oscillation term \( \cos\left(\frac{\pi t}{8}\right) \).
Understand the effect of each component: The exponential term \( 10e^{-\frac{t}{2}} \) causes the amplitude of the oscillation to decrease over time, representing the damping effect. The cosine term \( \cos\left(\frac{\pi t}{8}\right) \) represents the oscillatory motion of the mass on the spring.
Determine the behavior of the function as \( t \to \infty \): As time increases, the exponential term \( e^{-\frac{t}{2}} \) approaches zero, causing the overall displacement \( y \) to approach zero. This indicates that the oscillations will eventually die out.
Graph the function: Use a graphing tool or software to plot the function \( y = 10e^{-\frac{t}{2}}\cos\left(\frac{\pi t}{8}\right) \). Set an appropriate range for \( t \) to observe the damping effect and the oscillations. Typically, a range from \( t = 0 \) to a few periods of the cosine function will suffice.
Analyze the graph: Observe how the amplitude of the oscillations decreases over time due to the damping effect. Note the periodic nature of the cosine function and how it interacts with the exponential decay to produce the overall behavior of the system.
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