2nd Order Linear ODE-Derivation of system-issue

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of a second-order linear ordinary differential equation (ODE) from two first-order equations related to a dynamic system. The original poster expresses confusion about how the two equations were combined to arrive at the derived system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different methods of combining the equations, with some suggesting rewriting one equation in terms of the other variable to facilitate elimination. Questions arise about the logic behind choosing specific forms of the equations and the implications of working with derivatives versus original variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts and reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the elimination of variables and the rewriting of equations, though there is still uncertainty about the subsequent steps and the overall approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of deriving a second-order ODE from the given first-order equations, and there is an emphasis on understanding the logical steps involved in the derivation process.

williamcarter
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Homework Statement


Captures.PNG


How exactly they combined equation1 and equation2 and got that system? I don't get that part.

Homework Equations


A*(dy/dt)= -k*y eq1
A*(dz/dt)=ky-kz eq2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried substituting the 1st ky in the 2nd equation and then differentiating but I don't know how exactly they got that system which is:

d2z/dt2 + 2* (k/A) *dz/dt +(k2/A2)*z =0

I did not understand how they got that derivation of the system by combining equation 1 and equation 2.

I am willing to understand the concept, what are the steps, and the most important, how exactly to think to get that answer.

Any hint and tips will be much appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.
 
Last edited:
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williamcarter said:
I tried substituting the 1st ky in the 2nd equation and then differentiating
Isn't it more logical to rewrite the first equation in terms of ##z## using ## y = {A\over k} {dz\over dt} + z ## ?
 
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BvU said:
Isn't it more logical to rewrite the first equation in terms of ##z## using ## y = {A\over k} {dz\over dt} + z ## ?
Thank you very much for your quick reply, it is much appreciated.
May I please know what was the logic behind getting back at y instead of working with its derivative?
 
You want to eliminate y, so you express y in terms of z. Only the second equation allows that.
 
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BvU said:
You want to eliminate y, so you express y in terms of z. Only the second equation allows that.
Thank you for your fast response.
Ok , so the 1st step is to
rewrite the first equation in terms of z
What should I do after that?

Thank you in advance.
 
So you get $$y = {A\over k}{dz\over dt} + z $$ which means $$
{dy\over dt} = {A\over k}{d^2z\over dt^2} + {dz\over dt}
$$ and you substitute those in the first equation
 
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BvU said:
So you get $$y = {A\over k}{dz\over dt} + z $$ which means $$
{dy\over dt} = {A\over k}{d^2z\over dt^2} + {dz\over dt}
$$ and you substitute those in the first equation
Thank you very much for your reply, I understood the concept and logic and it makes sense now.
 
BvU said:
So you get $$y = {A\over k}{dz\over dt} + z $$ which means $$
{dy\over dt} = {A\over k}{d^2z\over dt^2} + {dz\over dt}
$$ and you substitute those in the first equation
I substituted and got like this:
A*[(A/k)*d2z/dt2+(dz/dt)]+ky=0
After that, I just did the multiplication and substituted the ky term with A*dz/dt+kz and still didn't work.

Any tips for that?
Thank you!
 
$$
A{dy\over dt} + ky = 0 \Leftrightarrow A\left [ {A\over k}{d^2z\over dt^2} + {dz\over dt} \right ] + k \left [
{A\over k}{dz\over dt} + z \right ] = 0
$$
$$
{A^2\over k}{d^2z\over dt^2} + A{dz\over dt} + k {A\over k}{dz\over dt} + k z = 0
$$ Multiply left and right with ##k\over A^2## (*) and bingo.

(*) the reason for this is that it is convenient to have the highest order derivative with a coefficient 1.

williamcarter said:
Any tips for that?
Yeah: don't work too hastily :smile:
 
Last edited:

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