Solving Analytic Problems: 3 Difficulties & Solutions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around difficulties in understanding proofs related to damped harmonic oscillators and their properties. Participants are exploring the mathematical relationships between the periods of damped and undamped oscillators, as well as the natural frequency of oscillation when a ball is supported by a spring.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive expressions for the damped and undamped oscillators' frequencies and periods. Questions include how to incorporate the concept of amplitude dropping to 1/e and the determination of coefficients in the equations of motion. There is also a focus on the relationship between the natural frequency and terminal speed.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made attempts to manipulate the equations and express their understanding of the relationships involved. There is an ongoing exploration of the mathematical expressions and their implications, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of amplitude in the context of the problems, and there are mentions of unfamiliarity with LaTeX for mathematical notation.

jenkirk
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Hey I am new to this site, i used to have george jones as a proff he was an amazing guy but now this new proff i don't really get, i am having trouble with proofs, i don't know how to do them well i have 3 problems I am having trouble with
given that the amplitude of a damped harmonic oscillator drops to 1/e of its initial value after n cycles, show the ratio of period of oscillation to the period of the same oscillator with no damping is,
T (damped)/T(undamped) = square root (1+ 1/(4pi squared n squared)

The second question is: the terminal speed of a freely falling ball is v. when the ball is supported by a light elastic spring the spring stretches by an amount x, show the natural frewuency of oscillation is:
w (omega) = (square root g/x) - g/(2v)

haha hey I am jen by the way
 
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jenkirk said:
Hey I am new to this site, i used to have george jones as a proff he was an amazing guy but now this new proff i don't really get, i am having trouble with proofs, i don't know how to do them well i have 3 problems I am having trouble with
given that the amplitude of a damped harmonic oscillator drops to 1/e of its initial value after n cycles, show the ratio of period of oscillation to the period of the same oscillator with no damping is,
T (damped)/T(undamped) = square root (1+ 1/(4pi squared n squared)
What have you done? Can you write the expressions for [itex]\omega[/itex] for the damped oscillator ([itex]m\ddot{x}+ b\dot{x} + kx = 0[/itex]) and [itex]\omega_0[/itex] for the undamped oscillator ([itex]m\ddot{x} + kx = 0[/itex]).?

The second question is: the terminal speed of a freely falling ball is v. when the ball is supported by a light elastic spring the spring stretches by an amount x, show the natural frewuency of oscillation is:
w (omega) = (square root g/x) - g/(2v)
Can you determine the coefficients "b" and "k" in [itex]m\ddot{x}+ b\dot{x} + kx = 0[/itex]?

AM
 
im trying

hello, i have attempted the problem many times hahha, i know how to prove that w = square root (g/x) that is the easy part and the original question was w = square root of (g/x - (g squared /(4vsquared))) so i figured w squared then is equal to g/x - g squared /(4vsquared) trying to work backwards and i know that they start with
-kx + mg= 0 and k= mg/x so w= square root of mg/xm or g/x
im thinking its somewhere in this equation that i should be able to configure the right answer but i don't know
and for the first problem we have never done anythin with amplitude and period before so i just don't know where to put in 1/e?

p.s. how do you put in those symbols?
 
jenkirk said:
given that the amplitude of a damped harmonic oscillator drops to 1/e of its initial value after n cycles

What is the expression for the position of a particle undergoing damped harmonic motion?

What is the (time-dependent) amplitude of a damped harmonic oscllator?

how do you put in those symbols?

It's LaTeX. You can look at examples by clicking on the mathematics in any post that uses it. Also, the tread Introducing https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=8997" is very useful.

It takes a while to get the hang of LaTeX, and it can be a pain to use, but it does produce nice results.
 
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