# Homework Help: Analytical mechanics: 2D isotropic harmonic oscillator

1. Mar 14, 2006

### swindhspectrum

I'm stuck on this problem:
The initial conditions for a two-dimensional isotropic oscillator are as follows: t=0, x=A, y=4A, v=0i +3wAj (vector) where w is the angular frequency. Find x and y as functions of t.

Where do I even begin with this problem. I take it A = constant. Can anyone make this less intimadating?

thanks.

2. Mar 14, 2006

### StatusX

By isotropic I assume you mean the force depends only on the distance from the origin, ie, F=kr, directed towards the origin.

You probably want to start by considering the constants of motion. You know U=1/2kr^2, and that the total energy E=U+KE is conserved. Also, since the system has rotational symmetry, angular momentum is conserved, ie, r X v (the cross product of the position and velocity vectors) is a constant, equal to its initial value for all time. With a little work, and using polar coordinates, you can use these equations to turn the problem into an ordinary differential equation involving r.

EDIT: Actually, I've gone through the work, and that DE is a pain to solve. It's not impossible, but there's probably an easier way. If I think of one I'll let you know.

Last edited: Mar 14, 2006
3. Mar 14, 2006

### StatusX

Right, so you might want to try the above approach, as it's similar to the methods you'll need to use on more difficult problems. But in this case, you can just seperate the x and y equations of motion:

$$m\frac{d^2 \vec r}{dt^2} = -k \vec r$$

this gives:

$$\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2} = -k x$$

and

$$\frac{d^2 y}{dt^2} = -k y$$

These can be solved seperately. But note again that this method is not very general, and in most problems you'll need to do something like what I suggested in the last post.

4. Mar 14, 2006

### swindhspectrum

thanks, ill try this out

5. Mar 14, 2006

### swindhspectrum

i dont know if you (statusX) tried to solve these...
i am getting an imaginary answer for x (x=iwt). i haven't solved for y(t) yet. Isn't the imaginary answer somehow equivalent to a trig function? Does anyone know?
thanks

6. Mar 14, 2006

### StatusX

The solution to both equations will involve sines and cosines. Have you solved these types of equations before? I assume you meant to say you got something like x=e^iwt, which can be converted to sines and cosines using the http://mathworld.wolfram.com/EulerFormula.html" [Broken]. You are solving a 2nd order ODE, so you should get two constants, which can be solved for by plugging in values for x and dx/dt at t=0.

Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2017