A particle of mass 100 g is attached to four identical springs each of length 10 cm. The initial tension in each spring is f₀=25 N. Neglecting gravity, find the period of small oscillations perpendicular to the plane, in 10⁻² s.

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a small displacement z perpendicular to the plane, each pre-tensioned spring supplies restoring component approximately f₀z/l. Four springs give kₑ=4f₀/l=4×25/0.10=1000 N m⁻¹. With m=0.1 kg, ω=√(1000/0.1)=100 rad s⁻¹, so T=2π/100=0.0628 s≈6×10⁻² s. Required answer: 6.