The shaker cart,shown in the figure,is the latest extreme sport craze.You stand inside of a small cart attached to a heavy-duty spring,the spring is compressed and released,and you shake back and forth,attempting to maintain your balance. Note that there is also a sandbag in the cart with you.

Question

A)What effect does dropping the sandbag out of the cart at the equilibrium position have on the amplitude of your oscillation?
B)What effect does dropping the sandbag out of the cart at the equilibrium position have on the maximum speed of the cart?
C)What effect does dropping the sandbag at the carts maximum distance from equilibrium have on the amplitude of your oscillation?
D)What effect does dropping the sandbag at the carts maximum distance from equilibrium have on the maximum speed of the cart?

Answer 1

A) Dropping the sandbag out of the cart at the equilibrium position will decrease the amplitude of your oscillation.
B) Dropping the sandbag out of the cart at the equilibrium position will increase the maximum speed of the cart.
C) Dropping the sandbag at the carts maximum distance from equilibrium will decrease the amplitude of your oscillation.
D) Dropping the sandbag at the carts maximum distance from equilibrium will decrease the maximum speed of the cart.