Can anyone explain the derivation of the formula for cantilever oscillations?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of formulas related to cantilever oscillations, specifically focusing on the period and height of oscillations in relation to various parameters such as mass, length, and material properties.

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  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the derivation of specific formulas for cantilever oscillations and seeks guidance on the theoretical background. Other participants provide insights into the relationship between the formulas and concepts like Hooke's law and simple harmonic motion, while also discussing the implications of Young's Modulus.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the theoretical aspects of the problem. Some have offered explanations related to the derivation of the formulas, while others are questioning specific components of the derivation process. There is a constructive exchange of ideas, with some participants clarifying the mathematical relationships involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has conducted experiments involving varying parameters of cantilevers and is looking for theoretical support to understand the derivation of the formulas they have encountered. There is mention of attachments containing mathematical representations that may aid in the discussion.

ash1098
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[SOLVED] Cantilever Investigation

1.Hi,

I am writing a report on cantilever oscillations, my experiment involves fixing different cantilvers e.g. a ruler to the end of a table then measuring the period and height of oscillations while varing the mass attached to the cantilever, and other varients e.g. length of cantilever.


2. I have found these two formulae: (Shown much more clearly in attachments)

T= 2(pi)*[(4ML^3)/(bd^3E)]^1/2

and:

h= 4MgL^3/Ebd^3

where:
b= width of cantilever
d= thickness of cantilever
E= Youngs Modulus
M=Mass
L=Lenght of cantilever
T=period of oscillations
h=height of oscillation


3. I have looked at eqn's involving Hooke's and simple harmonic motion but cannot work out how these formulae have been derived.

Does anyone know how these formulae where derived, or where I can find information on this in general?

Thanks.

ash.

p.s. I have written out the formulae using math open office and attached them in pdf if it helps make them easier to read.
 

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Well I have done a lab to find the Young's Modulus of a loaded cantilever and this is theory which is written down on the paper:

The depression,s,due to a load W(=Mg) at the end of a cantilever of length,l, is

s=\frac{Wl^3}{3IE}

This strain brings into play internal stresses which produce a restoring force equal to W, i.e. equal to \frac{3IEs}{l^3}.

If the acceleration of the load \frac{d^2s}{dt^2} when the cantilever is displaced to produce vertical oscillations,then

M\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{l^3}s

OR
\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}+\frac{3IE}{Ml^3}s=0

Hence the motion is Simple harmonic and the periodic time,T, is

T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{Ml^3}{3IE}}

from which

E=\frac{4\pi^2Ml^3}{3IT^2}

For a beam of rectangular section:
I=\frac{bd^3}{12}
I hope that helps in some way
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply rock.freak it's really really useful, just one question:

why does T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{Ml^3}{3IE}}

Thanks, ash.
 
Well from
M\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{l^3}s

\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{Ml^3}s

and that is of the form a=-\omega^2 s where a=\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}

so from that

\omega=\sqrt{\frac{3IE}{Ml^3}}

and since it moves with SHM, the period,T, is given by

T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}
 
Oh yeah I see it now, Thanks a lot.

Ash.
 

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