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A buoy floating in the ocean is bobbing in simple harmonic motion with period 88 seconds and amplitude 4ft4\,\text{ft}. Its displacement dd from sea level at time t=0t=0 seconds is 0ft0\,\text{ft} and initially it moves downward. (Note that downward is the negative direction.)\newlineGive the equation modeling the displacement dd as a function of time tt.\newlined=d= \square

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Q. A buoy floating in the ocean is bobbing in simple harmonic motion with period 88 seconds and amplitude 4ft4\,\text{ft}. Its displacement dd from sea level at time t=0t=0 seconds is 0ft0\,\text{ft} and initially it moves downward. (Note that downward is the negative direction.)\newlineGive the equation modeling the displacement dd as a function of time tt.\newlined=d= \square
  1. Define Cosine Function: Since the buoy starts at 00ft and moves downward, we need a cosine function with a phase shift to represent the initial condition. The general form of the cosine function is d(t)=Acos(B(tC))+Dd(t) = A \cdot \cos(B(t - C)) + D.
  2. Calculate Amplitude and Period: The amplitude AA is 44ft because that's the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.
  3. Determine Angular Frequency: The period TT of the cosine function is 88 seconds. The value of BB, which is the angular frequency, is related to the period by the formula B=2πTB = \frac{2\pi}{T}.
  4. Calculate B Value: Calculate B using the period T=8T = 8 seconds: B=2π/8=π/4B = 2\pi/8 = \pi/4.
  5. Adjust for Initial Condition: Since the buoy starts at 0ft0\text{ft} and moves downward, we need a negative cosine function. This means we will use cos-\cos instead of cos\cos in our equation.
  6. Final Displacement Equation: There is no horizontal shift (CC) because the buoy starts at t=0t=0 seconds, and there is no vertical shift (DD) because the equilibrium position is at 0ft0\text{ft}.
  7. Final Displacement Equation: There is no horizontal shift CC because the buoy starts at t=0t=0 seconds, and there is no vertical shift DD because the equilibrium position is at 00ft.Putting it all together, the equation for the displacement dd as a function of time tt is d(t)=4cos(π4t)d(t) = -4 \cdot \cos(\frac{\pi}{4} \cdot t).

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