# How to find an oscillations formula?

• May 5th 2010, 05:06 PM
krzyrice
How to find an oscillations formula?
The frequency or number of oscillations per second, F, of an object of mass m attached to a spring is inversely proportional to the square root of m.

a) Write a formula for F in terms of m.

Please help me find the formula for this problem. All I got is f(x) = m but I don't know if it is a sin or cos function. Also explain and show your work. Thanks.
• May 5th 2010, 05:30 PM
TKHunny
Quote:

Originally Posted by krzyrice
The frequency or number of oscillations per second, F, of an object of mass m attached to a spring is inversely proportional to the square root of m.

a) Write a formula for F in terms of m.

"Blank is proportional to stuff" MEANS Blank = k*(stuff)
"Blank is inversely proportional to stuff" MEANS Blank = k/(stuff)

Thus, "F is inversely proportional to the square root of m." is trivially written:

$F = \frac{k}{\sqrt{m}}$

Done.
• May 5th 2010, 05:51 PM
krzyrice
So what what does k mean in terms of the problem? The constant mass?
• May 6th 2010, 04:39 AM
TKHunny
It has a name. The "Constant of Proportionality".

1) You need the formula.
2) One test case.
3) Then solve for 'k'.