Our first POW (problem of the week). This should be done in the style of the "RAT Problem", handed out in class on Friday, with a clear problem statement, followed by sections on process, your solution, justification, and possible extensions of the problem...**
The goals of this undertaking include BOTH the opportunity to do a thoughful solution to an interesting problem, and the opportunity to incorporate writing into the physics curriculum. It is thus worthwhile to put effort into both your solutiona and your presentation of the solution. Illustrations and graphs are encouraged...

The problem: Consider a mass suspended symmetrically between identical springs attached to rigid walls which are mounted on a turntable that can rotate at a fixed frequency Omega (use the capitol Omega). Let each spring constant be k/2 . (We'll draw this in class.)


     |\\|       ___       |\\|
     |\\|zzzzzz| M |zzzzzz|\\|
     |\\|       ---       |\\|
     |\\|                 |\\|
   |---------------------------|
   |///////////////////////////|
   |---------------------------|
                 |
                 |

a) describe the nature of the motion of this system if the turntable does not rotate.

b) describe how the dynamics of the system change when the turntable rotates at a fixed frequency Omega. Discuss all regions of interest, i.e., high Omega, low, etc.

c) Do you encounter any behavior at moderate or high frequency that is interesting or problematic? Can you think of any extension/modification(s) to the problem that might help you deal with this in a natural way or is somewhat interesting? Can you solve aspects of your extended problem ?

Note: In presenting your solution, you want to focuss on the nature of the motion of the system, rather than the response to a specific set of initial conditions. Think of the problem, and present you solution, as if you are a consultant to the exploratorium, and they are considering building one of things. They have retained you to advise them as to what it would be like, what design parameters to use, and, in general, what would be interesting or worthwhile about it (if anything)? Is its' phenomenology interesting? Does it demonstrate any important or interestng physical priciples??

Preface your solution with a cover letter to: Sally Deunsing, Museum Liason,The Exploratorium 3601 Lyon Street S.F., CA 94123-1099.

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** For more info on what a POW is and how to approach it check out the webbsite:

http://cnug.clackesd.k12.or.us/mrms/mahwhatpow.html

from which the following is excerpted:

complete solution should tell the reader the full story of how you solved the problem, including:

What are you trying to find out ? (Show an understanding of the concepts in the problem)
How did you solve the problem ? (Select and carry out strategies that can work)
Why did you do what you did ? (Explain your reasoning at each step)
How do you know your answer is right ? (articulate why your solution and answer makes sense)
Don't forget also to discuss extensions, which should not be approached in a shotgun style, but rather by thinking about, and then focussing your discussion on, what might be particularly interesting or relevant...