A body oscillates with simple harmonic motion along the x-axis. its displacement varies with time according to the equation a = a0 sin ω t + π 3, where ω = π radians per second, t is in seconds, and a0 = 9.9 m. what is the phase of the motion at t = 8 s? answer in units of rad

Well, first of all, I've got a strong hunch that the 'sin' is the

sine of the angle (ω t + π/3) ... for a lot of reasons too numerous

to elaborate on here. That angle (the 'argument' of the sin) is the

"phase" that it's asking for.

The hunch is so strong in me that I'm going to go ahead and

assume it, and answer the question that way. So, now look at

how easy that assumption made the problem!

The phase at t=8 seconds is

(ω t + π/3) = (8 π + π/3) = (25/3) π radians