A bicycle wheel (with very light spokes) of mass M and radius R is mounted on a light axel through its center. The axle is attached to a horizontal spring of spring constant k, and the wheel is constrained to roll back and forth, without slipping, as shown. Your job is to figure out if this device is a simple harmonic oscillator, and to derive a formula for the period of the motion.
(a) Write a statement of conservation of energy for this system.
(b) Differentiate your expression for energy with respect to time to get an equation of motion, that is, a relation between position and acceleration.
(c) Compare your equation of motion to the equation of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator. Is this device a simple harmonic oscillator? Justify your answer briefly.
(d) Derive an expression for the period of the motion of this oscillator.