<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Describing periodic motion

The hour hand of the large clock on the wall in Union Station measures 24 inches in length. At noon, the tip of the hour hand is 30 inches from the ceiling. At 3 PM, the tip is 54 inches from the ceiling, and at 6 PM, 78 inches. At 9 PM, it is again 54 inches from the ceiling, and at midnight, the tip of the hour hand returns to its original position 30 inches from the ceiling. Let y equal the distance from the tip of the hour hand to the ceiling x hours after noon. Find the equation that models the motion of the clock and sketch the graph.

Begin by making a table of values as shown in [link] .

x y Points to plot
Noon 30 in ( 0 , 30 )
3 PM 54 in ( 3 , 54 )
6 PM 78 in ( 6 , 78 )
9 PM 54 in ( 9 , 54 )
Midnight 30 in ( 12 , 30 )

To model an equation, we first need to find the amplitude.

| A | = | 78 30 2 |      = 24

The clock’s cycle repeats every 12 hours. Thus,

B = 2 π 12     = π 6

The vertical shift is

D = 78 + 30 2     = 54

There is no horizontal shift, so C = 0. Since the function begins with the minimum value of y when x = 0 (as opposed to the maximum value), we will use the cosine function with the negative value for A . In the form y = A cos ( B x ± C ) + D , the equation is

y = −24 cos ( π 6 x ) + 54

See [link] .

Graph of the function y=-24cos(pi/6 x)+54 using the five key points: (0,30), (3,54), (6,78), (9,54), (12,30).
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Determining a model for tides

The height of the tide in a small beach town is measured along a seawall. Water levels oscillate between 7 feet at low tide and 15 feet at high tide. On a particular day, low tide occurred at 6 AM and high tide occurred at noon. Approximately every 12 hours, the cycle repeats. Find an equation to model the water levels.

As the water level varies from 7 ft to 15 ft, we can calculate the amplitude as

| A | = | ( 15 7 ) 2 |      = 4

The cycle repeats every 12 hours; therefore, B is

2 π 12 = π 6

There is a vertical translation of ( 15 + 8 ) 2 = 11.5. Since the value of the function is at a maximum at t = 0 , we will use the cosine function, with the positive value for A .

y = 4 cos ( π 6 ) t + 11

See [link] .

Graph of the function y=4cos(pi/6 t) + 11 from 0 to 12. The midline is y=11, three key points are (0,15), (6,7), and (12, 15).
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

The daily temperature in the month of March in a certain city varies from a low of 24 °F to a high of 40 °F . Find a sinusoidal function to model daily temperature and sketch the graph. Approximate the time when the temperature reaches the freezing point 32 °F . Let t = 0 correspond to noon.

y = 8 sin ( π 12 t ) + 32
The temperature reaches freezing at noon and at midnight.

Graph of the function y=8sin(pi/12 t) + 32 for temperature. The midline is at 32. The times when the temperature is at 32 are midnight and noon.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Interpreting the periodic behavior equation

The average person’s blood pressure is modeled by the function f ( t ) = 20 sin ( 160 π t ) + 100 , where f ( t ) represents the blood pressure at time t , measured in minutes. Interpret the function in terms of period and frequency. Sketch the graph and find the blood pressure reading.

The period is given by

2 π ω = 2 π 160 π       = 1 80

In a blood pressure function, frequency represents the number of heart beats per minute. Frequency is the reciprocal of period and is given by

ω 2 π = 160 π 2 π = 80

See the graph in [link] .

Graph of the function f(t) = 20sin(160 * pi * t) + 100 for blood pressure. The midline is at 100.
The blood pressure reading on the graph is 120 80   ( maximum minimum ) .
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Modeling harmonic motion functions

Harmonic motion is a form of periodic motion, but there are factors to consider that differentiate the two types. While general periodic motion applications cycle through their periods with no outside interference, harmonic motion requires a restoring force. Examples of harmonic motion include springs, gravitational force, and magnetic force.

Questions & Answers

what is biology
Hajah Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
AI-Robot
what is biology
Victoria Reply
HOW CAN MAN ORGAN FUNCTION
Alfred Reply
the diagram of the digestive system
Assiatu Reply
allimentary cannel
Ogenrwot
How does twins formed
William Reply
They formed in two ways first when one sperm and one egg are splited by mitosis or two sperm and two eggs join together
Oluwatobi
what is genetics
Josephine Reply
Genetics is the study of heredity
Misack
how does twins formed?
Misack
What is manual
Hassan Reply
discuss biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles
Joseph Reply
what is biology
Yousuf Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environment.
Wine
discuss the biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles in an essay form
Joseph Reply
what is the blood cells
Shaker Reply
list any five characteristics of the blood cells
Shaker
lack electricity and its more savely than electronic microscope because its naturally by using of light
Abdullahi Reply
advantage of electronic microscope is easily and clearly while disadvantage is dangerous because its electronic. advantage of light microscope is savely and naturally by sun while disadvantage is not easily,means its not sharp and not clear
Abdullahi
cell theory state that every organisms composed of one or more cell,cell is the basic unit of life
Abdullahi
is like gone fail us
DENG
cells is the basic structure and functions of all living things
Ramadan
What is classification
ISCONT Reply
is organisms that are similar into groups called tara
Yamosa
in what situation (s) would be the use of a scanning electron microscope be ideal and why?
Kenna Reply
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is ideal for situations requiring high-resolution imaging of surfaces. It is commonly used in materials science, biology, and geology to examine the topography and composition of samples at a nanoscale level. SEM is particularly useful for studying fine details,
Hilary
cell is the building block of life.
Condoleezza Reply
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 2

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Precalculus' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask