A mass M, attached to a horizontal spring, executes S.H.M. with amplitude A1. When the mass M passes through its mean position then a smaller mass m is placed over it and both of them move together with amplitude A2. The ratio of is :
C.O.L.M. MVmax = (m + M)Vnew , Vmax = A1w1
\({V_{new}} = \frac{{M{V_{\max }}}}{{(m + M)}}\)
Now, Vnew = A2.w2
\(\frac{{M.{A_1}}}{{(m + M)}}\sqrt {\frac{K}{M}} = {A_2}\sqrt {\frac{K}{{(m + M)}}} \)
\({A_2} = {A_1}\sqrt {\frac{M}{{(m + M)}}} \) \(\frac{{{A_1}}}{{{A_2}}} = {\left( {\frac{{m + M}}{M}} \right)^{1/2}}\)
When a mass executes Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), its total energy remains conserved if no external forces act. At the mean position, the energy is purely kinetic. When a smaller mass is added at this point, momentum conservation applies since no external horizontal forces act.
Step 1: Determine the velocity at mean position before adding mass.
For SHM, maximum velocity . With amplitude A1 and angular frequency , velocity .
Step 2: Apply conservation of momentum when mass m is added.
Initial momentum: . Final momentum: . So, .
Step 3: Relate the new maximum velocity to the new amplitude.
After adding mass, angular frequency becomes . Maximum velocity .
Step 4: Substitute and solve for the amplitude ratio.
From momentum conservation: .
Simplify: .
Which gives: .
Final Answer: The ratio .