Can an undamped harmonic oscillator have a steady-state solution?

AI Thread Summary
An undamped harmonic oscillator subjected to a force Focos(wt) does not have a steady-state solution when the driving frequency w equals the natural frequency wo. The solution diverges as the limit approaches zero, leading to linear growth over time without damping. To find a particular solution, one can start with a modified frequency w=wo+# and analyze the behavior as # approaches zero. The characteristic equation and its roots are crucial for understanding the system's response. Ultimately, the absence of damping results in instability at resonance, confirming no steady-state solution exists.
Richardbryant
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Homework Statement


An undamped harmonic oscillator (b=0) is subject to an applied force Focos(wt). Show that if w=wo, there is no steady- state solution. Find a particular solution by starting with a solution for w=wo+#, and passing to the limit #->0, it will blow up. Try starting with a solution which fits the initial condition xo=0, so that i cannot blow up at t=0.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


d^2x/dt^2+(wo^2)x=Fo cos(w+#)t/m
d^2y/dt^2+(wo^2)y=Fo sin(w+#)t/m
d^2z/dt^2+(wo^2)z=Foe^i(w+#)t/m (1)
Let Z=Ce^i(wo+#)t, plug in (1)
C=Fo/,[wo^2-(w+#)^2]

thus X= Fo cos(w+#)t/m[wo^2-(w+#)^2]
Xtr (trasient term )=Acos(wot-$) $= phase difference
After a couple of steps the final solution will blow up when limit #->0[/B]

 
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With no damping and sinusoidal excitation at the undamped natural frequency, the solution grows linearly with time. This is the reason there is no steady state.

You need to obtain the characteristic equation and look at the roots. That will get you started toward the proper results.
 
Richardbryant said:

Homework Statement


An undamped harmonic oscillator (b=0) is subject to an applied force Focos(wt). Show that if w=wo, there is no steady- state solution. Find a particular solution by starting with a solution for w=wo+#, and passing to the limit #->0, it will blow up. Try starting with a solution which fits the initial condition xo=0, so that i cannot blow up at t=0.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


d^2x/dt^2+(wo^2)x=Fo cos(w+#)t/m
d^2y/dt^2+(wo^2)y=Fo sin(w+#)t/m
d^2z/dt^2+(wo^2)z=Foe^i(w+#)t/m (1)
Let Z=Ce^i(wo+#)t, plug in (1)
C=Fo/,[wo^2-(w+#)^2]
thus X= Fo cos(w+#)t/m[wo^2-(w+#)^2]
Xtr (trasient term )=Acos(wot-$) $= phase difference
After a couple of steps the final solution will blow up when limit #->0
What's your question?
 
Dr.D said:
With no damping and sinusoidal excitation at the undamped natural frequency, the solution grows linearly with time. This is the reason there is no steady state.

You need to obtain the characteristic equation and look at the roots. That will get you started toward the proper results.

Thanks for reply, i had been guessing the solution is also a trigonometric function , but it seems to be not working
 
vela said:
What's your question?

The question is to find a x(t) satisfying the given condition
 
Richardbryant said:
The question is to find a x(t) satisfying the given condition
Obviously, that's what the question is asking of you. What is YOUR specific question? You seem to be on the right track.
 
vela said:
Obviously, that's what the question is asking of you. What is YOUR specific question? You seem to be on the right track.

Oh, yeah i got the correct answer, but i didn't notice, thank you about that!
 
Did you manage to show the system didn’t have a steady state solution?
 
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