Analyzing Mass on a Vertical Spring

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing the motion of a mass on a vertical spring subjected to an external force. Participants explore the mathematical modeling of the system using differential equations, focusing on deriving the velocity of the mass over time and addressing the correctness of their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a system of equations relating velocity and displacement, seeking to find the velocity as a function of time.
  • Another participant questions the initial approach, suggesting that the relationship between variables was misinterpreted.
  • A later reply introduces a second-order differential equation derived from the original equations, proposing a method to solve it.
  • One participant acknowledges a mistake in their earlier reasoning and expresses intent to follow a new setup based on the feedback received.
  • Another participant provides a general solution to a related differential equation but is corrected regarding the characteristic equation and its roots.
  • Further discussion includes the formulation of a particular solution and the relationship between sine and cosine functions in the context of complex numbers.
  • One participant attempts to derive the complete solution and expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to solving the differential equations, with some acknowledging mistakes and others providing alternative methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the final solutions and correctness of the approaches taken.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made regarding the relationships between variables, and some mathematical steps remain unresolved or unclear. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with differential equations among participants.

gramentz
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Mass on vertical spring with force applied.

dy/dt = v

dv/dt = 5sin(wt) - 16y

I am trying to figure out the velocity of this object at any given time when w= 2 rad/ sec. (Would ideally like to have it for any w and any t)

Did I do this correctly? (In calc 2, haven't had diff eq yet)

dv/dt = 5sin(2t)- 16y

y= v2/2

dv/dt = 5sin(2t) - 8v2

dv/dt +8v2 = 5sin(2t)

8v2dv = 5sin (2t)dt

Integrated both sides:

(8/3)v3 = (-5/2)cos(2t)

v3 = (-15/16) cos(2t)

v= [tex]\sqrt[3]{ ((-15/16) cos (2t))}[/tex]

Did I do this correctly or even approach this the right way? Thanks for any help!
 
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gramentz said:
Mass on vertical spring with force applied.

dy/dt = v

dv/dt = 5sin(wt) - 16y

I am trying to figure out the velocity of this object at any given time when w= 2 rad/ sec. (Would ideally like to have it for any w and any t)

Did I do this correctly? (In calc 2, haven't had diff eq yet)

dv/dt = 5sin(2t)- 16y

y= v2/2
How do you arrive at this? If your first equation were "dy/dv= v" then that would be a first integral, but you don't. You have dy/dt= v.

dv/dt = 5sin(2t) - 8v2

dv/dt +8v2 = 5sin(2t)

8v2dv = 5sin (2t)dt

Integrated both sides:

(8/3)v3 = (-5/2)cos(2t)

v3 = (-15/16) cos(2t)

v= [tex]\sqrt[3]{ ((-15/16) cos (2t))}[/tex]

Did I do this correctly or even approach this the right way? Thanks for any help!
Here's what I would do: differentiate that second equation again:
Differentiating [itex]dv/dt = 5sin(\omega t) - 16y[/itex]
[tex]\frac{d^2v}{dt^2}= 5\omega cos(\omega t)- 16\frac{dv}{dt}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{d^2v}{dt^2}= 5\omega cos(\omega t)- 16v[/tex]
so
[tex]\frac{d^2v}{dt^2}+ 16v= 5\omega cos(\omega t)[/tex]
A "linear non-homogenous differential equation with constant coefficients" that should be easy to solve. Once you have found v (which, because this is a second order equation, will have two undetermined constants), to avoid introducing a third constant, use [itex]16y= 5 sin(\omega t)- dv/t[/itex] to find y.
 
I arrived at that first "solution" because I made the mistake of thinking it was in fact dy/dv. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm going to work on this new setup now..
 
I have the general solution to equal c1e4x + c2e-4x

And the particular solution (so far) to be c2cos(ax+[tex]\beta[/tex]) + c2sin(ax+[tex]\beta[/tex]) Does this look like I'm on the right track?
 
gramentz said:
I have the general solution to equal c1e4x + c2e-4x
No, that would satisfy y"- 16y= 0, not y"+ 16y= 0. y"+ 16y= 0 has "characteristic equation" [itex]r^2+ 16= 0[/itex] which has imaginary roots 4i and -4i, not 4 and -4. Try exponentials e4i x and e-4i or, if you want to avoid complex numbers, sin(4x) and cos(4x). Do you see why those are equivalent?

And the particular solution (so far) to be c2cos(ax+[tex]\beta[/tex]) + c2sin(ax+[tex]\beta[/tex]) Does this look like I'm on the right track?
 
Ohh ok right, somewhere along the line I copied down the equation to be a "-" and not a "+" for the gen. solution. I had to look it up, but I believe that sin(4x) and cos(4x) are equivalent because of imaginary numbers "rotating" between x and y, and the shifts between +i and -i correlate to the differences in graphs of sin x and cos x?

I set the particular solution up to be (w=[tex]\omega[/tex]): yp(x) = Asin(wt) + Bcos(wt)

yp'(x) = Awcos(wt) - Bwsin(wt)
yp''(x) = -Aw2sin(wt) - Bw2cos(wt)

Plugging back in, I get:

-Aw2sin(wt) - Bw2cos(wt) + 16Awcos(wt) - 16Bwsin(wt) = 5wcos(wt)?
 
Then, I believe the complete solution will equal sin(4x) + cos(4x) + 5/16 cos(wt). Again, I'm not positive, but I think I did everything correctly...
 

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