Forced oscillations: solution of Differential Equation at resonance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation related to forced oscillations, specifically at resonance where the natural frequency matches the forcing frequency. The original poster attempts to derive the complete solution for the equation involving second derivatives and trigonometric functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the complementary function and particular integral for the differential equation. The original poster expresses confusion over the coefficients derived from equating terms and questions the validity of their approach. Others raise concerns about the dimensional analysis of the proposed solution.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications regarding the assumptions made in the solution process and have pointed out potential errors in unit consistency. The discussion appears to be ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of these findings.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the conditions of resonance and the implications of the forcing frequency being equal to the natural frequency. The original poster is working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can reference.

jellicorse
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Homework Statement



Following a worked example in my book, I have been trying to get a solution for the equation

\frac{d^2u}{dt^2} + \frac{k}{m}u = Fcos\omega t

The book says that at resonance, i.e. when \omega_0 (the natural frequency) = \omega (the forcing frequency), the term F cos\omega t is a solution to the homogenous equation and the solution to the differential equation above isAcos\omega_0t +Bsin\omega_0t+\frac{F}{2m\omega_o^2}tsin\omega_0t

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



To get the full solution:

Complementary Function:

Acos\omega_0t+Bsin\omega_0t, where \omega_0=\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}To get the Particular Integral:
Assume u= Ctcos\omega t +Dtsin\omega t

Then \frac{du}{dt}= C cos\omega t - Ct\omega sin \omega t + D sin\omega t +Dt \omega cos \omega t

\frac{du}{dt}= (Dt\omega +C ) cos\omega t + (D-Ct\omega) sin\omega t

And \frac{d^2u}{dt^2} = -C \omega sin \omega t -C\omega sin \omega t - C \omega^2 t cos \omega t + D\omega cos \omega t + D\omega cos \omega t - D \omega^2 t sin \omega t

\frac{d^2u}{dt^"}=(2D\omega -c \omega^2t)cos\omega t +(-2C\omega -D\omega^2t)sin \omega tBack substituting these into the original differential equation:

(2D\omega -C\omega^2t + \frac{k Ct}{m}) cos\omega t + (\frac{KDt}{m}-2C\omega -D\omega^2t) sin \omega t = \frac{F}{m} cos\omega t
Equating coefficients:


(2D\omega -C\omega^2t + \frac{k Ct}{m}) =\frac{F}{m}

and (\frac{kDt}{m} -2 C \omega - D\omega^2 t) = 0

After this, I have tried solving for D and C but it seems to end up in a pretty intractable mess.

I know somehow D should be equal to \frac{F}{2m\omega_0^2} (and I assume since we are talking about a situation in which \omega_0=\omega, D= \frac{F}{2m\omega_0^2} = \frac{F}{2m\omega}) but can not see how to get there. Can anyone tell me if I have been going in the right direction so far?
 
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From the form of the particular solution, you're apparently assuming that ##\omega=\omega_0 = \sqrt{k/m}##, so the two equations reduce to
\begin{align*}
2\omega D &= \frac Fm \\
-2\omega C &= 0.
\end{align*} The solution you're trying to obtain is not correct: ##\frac{F}{m\omega_0^2}t\sin\omega_0 t## does not have units of length.
 
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Thanks a lot Vela. I should have noticed that when equating coefficients.

I don't quite understand this though:

vela said:
The solution you're trying to obtain is not correct: ##\frac{F}{m\omega_0^2}t\sin\omega_0 t## does not have units of length.

I can't see anything to do with units of length in the equation...
 
The denominator is ##m\omega^2 = k## where ##k## has units of force/length, so ##\frac{F}{m\omega^2}## will have units of length. That would be fine if the coefficient multiplied only ##\sin \omega t##, but it doesn't. It multiplies ##t \sin\omega t##. The factor of ##t## introduces a unit of time.
 
Oh, I see... That makes sense, thanks!
 

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