- #1
Dustgil
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Homework Statement
Given: The amplitude of a damped harmonic oscillator drops to 1/e of its initial value after n complete cycles. Show that the ratio of period of the oscillation to the period of the same oscillator with no damping is given by
[tex]\frac {T_d} {T_0} = \sqrt {1+ \frac {1} {4\pi^2n^2}} = 1+\frac {1} {8\pi^2n^2}[/tex]
where the approximation in the last expression is valid if n is large.
Homework Equations
I think
[tex]\frac {\Delta E} {E} = \frac {T_d} {\tau}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
So the energy of the damped oscillator is equal to
[tex]E=\frac {kA^2} {2}[/tex]
And the change in energy over n cycles is equal to
[tex]\Delta E= \frac {kA^2} {2} - \frac {k(\frac {A} {e})^2} {2} = \frac {kA^2} {2} (1-\frac {1} {e^2})[/tex]
So
[tex]\frac {\frac {kA^2} {2} (1-\frac {1} {e^2})} {\frac {kA^2} {2}} = \frac {nT_d} {\tau}[/tex]
This is as far as I get, meaningfully. I'm struggling to find a way to relate the period of the damped and undamped oscillator that makes e drop out. Any thoughts?