Energy of a vibrating string (continuous field)

In summary: Here it is:The potential energy of a string element is given by:E(x) = -\frac{1}{2 L} D \, \Phi ^2 = -\frac{1}{2} \omega ^2 \, \rho \, \Phi ^2
  • #1
flix
13
0
Hello,

I know this has already been asked (unfortunately without answer)... learning once again for an exam (quantum field theory) I can't figure out a feature of a very central quantity: the total energy of a vibrating string.

Let's start at the string (field) wave equation:

[tex] \frac{1}{c^2} \, \frac{\partial^2 \Phi(x,t)}{\partial t^2} = \frac{\partial^2 \Phi(x,t)}{\partial x^2} [/tex]

With proper boundary conditions you get a set of modes, for example

[tex] \Phi_r(x,t) = A_r(t) \, sin(\frac{r \pi x}{L}) [/tex]

and with that the general motion of the string:

[tex] \Phi(x,t) = \sum\limits_{r=1}^\infty A_r(t) \, sin(\frac{r \pi x}{L}) [/tex]

Now, my book confronts me with the total energy of the vibrating string, declaring it as "analogous to the discrete summation":

[tex]E = \int\limits_0^L \left[ \frac{1}{2} \rho {(\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial t})}^2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho c^2 {(\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x})}^2 \right] \, dx , \,\,where\, the \, "discrete"\, case\, was \,\,\,\,\,\,E = \sum\limits_{r=1}^N \frac{1}{2} m \dot{q}_r ^2 + V(q_1, ..., q_N) [/tex]

I can't work this out. I understand that the first term is the kinetic energy, alright. But the second term I don't get.
The potential Energy / Length on the string is

[tex] E_{pot} / L = - \frac{1}{2 L} D \, \Phi ^2 = - \frac{1}{2} \omega ^2 \, \rho \, \Phi ^2 [/tex]

as far as I can see from classical mechanics ([tex] -D \, \Phi [/tex] is the force pulling the "mass element" backwards), but why the derivative [tex] {(\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x})} [/tex] insted of just [tex] \Phi [/tex] ?

Can somebody help me out? I already wasted too much time on this... I hate it when I don't understand stuff from years back that I just should know.
 
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  • #2
Because the displacement from "equilibrium" of one element is taken relative to the element just next to it. An element doesn't want to be at absolute zero, it just wants to be flat relative to its surrounding elements.

So for example, let's say you fix your string at both ends, then set it so that it rises, remains flat for a long length, then goes back to zero. The whole flat portion doesn't contribute to the energy, because there is no tension pulling an element there back down, so it doesn't "know" that it has been displaced.
 
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  • #3
I see what you are heading at, still I don't get it mathematically.

The true Force pulling the string back is: [tex]F(x) = T \, \frac{\partial ^2 \Phi}{\partial x^2} [/tex]
with [tex]T = \rho c^2 [/tex] being the tension (pulling at the ends of that string segment tangentially).

So the potential energy of that string segment should be

[tex] E(x) = \int\limits_0^{\Phi} \rho c^2 \frac{\partial ^2 \Phi}{\partial x^2} \, dx[/tex]

and, unluckily, this is NOT

[tex] E(x) = \frac{1}{2} \, \rho c^2 (\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x})^2 [/tex]

since

[tex] \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \, (\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x})^2 = 2 \frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x} \, \frac{\partial ^2 \Phi}{\partial x^2} [/tex]

Am I too stupid to differentiate today? I just can't find the error...
 
  • #4
damn, stupid mistake.

of course I don't have to integrate the force over x, but over [tex]\Phi[/tex] !
One gets:

[tex]E(x) = \int\limits_0^{\Phi} \rho c^2 \frac{\partial^2 \Phi}{\partial x^2} \,d\Phi[/tex]

and this looks much more like it might ultimatel lead to victory if I can somehow find my old differential calculus knowledge again :P
 
  • #5
flix said:
damn, stupid mistake.

of course I don't have to integrate the force over x, but over [tex]\Phi[/tex] !

me too, I just figured that out :rofl:
 
  • #6
I am still stuck. Physically it seems obvious that it should be:

dF~kdy

dU~k(dy)2

But I can't get there without fudging. :confused:
 
  • #7
yeah I don't get there, either.

I'll have another go today and I will post any progress here. Damn you, classical mechanics!
 
  • #8
flix said:
Hello,


Let's start at the string (field) wave equation:

[tex] \frac{1}{c^2} \, \frac{\partial^2 \Phi(x,t)}{\partial t^2} = \frac{\partial^2 \Phi(x,t)}{\partial x^2} [/tex]

This follows from the Lagrangian

[tex]\mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{2} \{ (\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial t})^{2} - (\frac{\partial \Phi}{\partial x})^{2}\}[/tex]

Now, calculate the energy from

[tex] E = \int \ dx \left( \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial \dot{\Phi}} \dot{\Phi} - \mathcal{L} \right)[/tex]

regards

sam
 
  • #9
Possibly one way would be the decomposition of the shape of the string into its harmonics. Then you just take an average with weights given by the Fourier coeficients, of the energy of each harmonic present.

The energy of an harmonic can be taken ( I guess ) by taking the sinousoidal shape of the string when all its elements are passing by the x axis. In this situation all energy must be in kinetic form. You must simply integrate the kinetic of each element to find the total energy.

I am convinced of this method. This may be dangerous... if someone has some refutation, please show here.

Best wishes

DaTario
 
  • #10
@samalkhaiat: yeah, well, this is exactly why I want to understand this, to motivate the Lagrangian ..

ok, for all other still interested, I found a classical derivation. Of course my initial assumption was plain wrong, as pointed out by atyy: the potential energy of a string element does NOT depend on its total displacement but only on the relative position to its "neighbour elements", since the real force runs along the string (string tension). This is why my integral idea fails.

proper classical derivation:

discrete string element displacement: [tex]u_i(x_i, t)[/tex]

distance of 2 string elements, each of size [tex] \Delta x[/tex]: [tex]\Delta s = \sqrt{(\Delta x)^2 + (u_{i+1} - u_i)^2 } \approx \Delta x \left(1+ \frac{(u_{i+1} - u_i)^}{2 (\Delta x)^2} \right) [/tex]


Discrete pot. energy for string "ground" tension T: [tex]U = \sum_{i=1}^N T \Delta x \frac{(u_{i+1} - u_i)^}{2 (\Delta x)^2} [/tex]


In the limit [tex]N \longrightarrow \infty[/tex] : [tex]U = \lim_{N\to\infty} \sum_{i=1}^N T \Delta x \frac{(u_{i+1} - u_i)^}{2 (\Delta x)^2} = \frac{T}{2} \int\limits_0^L \left( \frac{\partial u(x,t)}{\partial x} \right) ^2 \,dx [/tex]
 

1. What is the energy of a vibrating string?

The energy of a vibrating string refers to the amount of kinetic and potential energy that is present in the string as it vibrates.

2. How is the energy of a vibrating string calculated?

The energy of a vibrating string is calculated using the formula E = 1/2*k*A^2*w^2, where k is the string's stiffness, A is the amplitude of the vibration, and w is the frequency of the vibration.

3. What factors affect the energy of a vibrating string?

The energy of a vibrating string is affected by its stiffness, amplitude of vibration, and frequency of vibration. A higher stiffness, larger amplitude, and higher frequency will result in a higher energy.

4. How does the energy of a vibrating string relate to its sound?

The energy of a vibrating string is directly related to the sound produced by the string. The more energy the string has, the louder and more intense the sound will be.

5. Can the energy of a vibrating string be converted into other forms of energy?

Yes, the energy of a vibrating string can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or electricity. This is the principle behind instruments such as electric guitars, which use the energy of vibrating strings to produce sound.

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