- #1
Dixanadu
- 254
- 2
Homework Statement
We are to develop the equations of motion for an undamped horizontal spring system, the mass of which is being driven by a periodic force: F=F0 cos wt. I know how to do it but my teacher has defined an odd term, the meaning of which I want to be clarified.
Homework Equations
The potential energy of the system is V = 1/2 kx^2. So the force is -kx.
The driving force is F0 cos wt.
The natural frequency of the system is w0^2 = k/m
The Attempt at a Solution
So, here's my solution:
[itex]m\ddot{x}+kx = F_{0} cos(ωt)[/itex]
My teacher has the same thing. But what he does next is that he says
[itex]a = \frac{F_{0}}{k}[/itex]
And then:
[itex]\ddot{x}+ω^{2}_{0}x = ω^{2}_{0} a cos(ωt)[/itex]
Which is all fine...but what the heck is [itex]a[/itex]? is it just some random thing or is it something of physical significance?
Thanks a lot guys!