Some help with oscillations and damping

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around damped harmonic oscillations, specifically examining the relationship between the damping coefficient and the period of oscillation. The original poster seeks clarification on how to determine the period when the damping coefficient is half of the critical damping value, and how this relates to the ratio of two successive swings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the period for a damped oscillator and questions how to relate it to the undamped case. They express confusion about the ratio of two successive swings and how to apply the damping equation.
  • Some participants suggest using the formula for damped angular frequency and comparing it to the undamped case to find the required ratios.
  • Others question the relationship between the two parts of the problem and how to correctly apply the equations for movement to find the ratio of positions at different times.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering various approaches and clarifications. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of equations for damped motion, but there remains uncertainty about the correct application and interpretation of these equations in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding which specific case the original poster should consider for the ratio of swings, and the discussion involves multiple interpretations of the equations and their implications. The original poster also notes confusion about the expected outcomes based on textbook answers.

stunner5000pt
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Consider damped harmonic oscillations. Let the coeffient of friction gamma be half the value of the one that just gies critical damping.

How many times is the period T larger than it would be for gamma = 0??

WHen gamma is zero -

[tex]T = \frac{2 \pi}{\omega}[/tex]

When gamma is half of the value for critical damping

now for critical damping

[tex]\frac{\gamma}{2} = \omega_0[/tex]

So then for the question, (half of the value for gamma) then

that yields omega / 2

and then gives a period [tex]T = \frac{2 \pi}{\frac{\omega}{2}}[/tex]

and that gives [tex]T = \frac{4 \pi}{\omega}[/tex]

which is half the period for the case when gamma is zero

My textbook says the answer - the ratio between T(damped) and T(undamped) = 2 / root(3)

Determine the ratio between two successive swings on the same side.

It doesn't quite give the case for WHICH case it wants us to consider but it is definitely related to the previous question

I am completely baffled as to how to go about this

do i plug this into the equation for the damping that is

[tex]= x = x_0 e^{\frac{\gamma t}{2}} Cos(\omega_d t + \theta)[/tex]
Answer of the text is X2/X1 = exp (-2pi / 3) i don't know how
i am not sure

your help is greatly appreciated!
 
Last edited:
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I think i can help u with the first part
[tex]\omega_{damping}=\sqrt{\omega_{0}^{2}-\frac{\gamma^{2}}{4}}[/tex] (1)

,okay??

Now find the value for gamma for which [itex]\omega_{damping}[/itex] is zero...That means "critical value"...

Take half of that value and plug it in (1).Then compare the angular freqeancies omega zero and omega damped...U'll find the answer.

Daniel.
 
thats helpful

however for the second part is it somehow related to the first part in a sense that for one the time is t=0 and the other is time t= 2 / root 3?

and then find the ratio betweeen the two x values??
 
Take in the equation of movement (x=x(t)) t=0 and T=T_{damped} and take the ratio of the 2 values...You might take the initial phase arbitrary,since anyway it won't matter...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
Take in the equation of movement (x=x(t)) t=0 and T=T_{damped} and take the ratio of the 2 values...You might take the initial phase arbitrary,since anyway it won't matter...

Daniel.

and the equation of movement is
[tex]= x = x_0 e^{\frac{-\gamma t}{2}} Cos(\omega_d t + \theta)[/tex]

so when i substitute the value of gamma = omega (which i got from the part 1)

then for the equation for damped turns to [tex]= x = x_0 e^{\frac{-\omega_{0} t}{2}} Cos(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\omega_d t + \theta)[/tex]

lets seay we start looking at swings starting from t = t and then the next swing o nteh same side is t = (root3 / 2) +t??

and then sub into the x0 quation and find the ratio between the two>??
 
No,that number involving the sqrt is to be put in the exponential olny.When taking the ratio of the 2 "x"-s,the cosine part vanishes (is simplified through),so it doesn't matter whether u put or not in the cosine...

Daniel.
 

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