A particle of mass m is attached to three identical springs A, B

and C each of force constant k a shown in figure. If the particle

of mass m is pushed slightly against the spring A and released,
then the time period of oscillations is

𝟐𝒎 𝒎 𝒎 𝒎
a) 𝟐𝝅√ b) 𝟐𝝅√ c) 𝟐𝝅√ d) 𝟐𝝅√
𝒌 𝟐𝒌 𝒌 𝟑𝒌

Solutions

The resultant force acting on the mass using the vector

laws of addition. We need to resolve the force into
components and add as shown in the diagram below. By
equating it to the restoring force, we can write the
equation for the time period as shown in the diagram
below.

When the particle of mass m at O is pushed by y in the direction of A The spring A

will be compressed by y while spring B and C will be stretched by y′=ycos45∘. So
that the total restoring force on the mass m along OA

Fnet=FA+FBcos45∘+FCcos45∘

=ky+2ky′cos45∘=ky+2k(ycos45∘)cos45∘=2ky
Also
Fnet=k′y
Þ
k′y=2ky
Þ
k′=2k
𝑚 𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ = 2𝜋√
𝑘′ 2𝑘
If we displace the particle by 'y' towards A, the spring(B,C) will pull the block and spring A will
push it,

the net force on the block will be in the verticle direction as the horizontal force will balance it
other,

now the elongation in spring A is y and the compression in B,C will be y*cos45 (component of y
in B,C's alignment

La masse est donc soumise aux trois forces