# Harmonic Oscillator (not sure where to post)

1. Mar 1, 2012

### lxXTaCoXxl

I'm not understanding the following formula. I'm a computer programmer and was given a set of formulas to have an application to solve; however I'm not completely understanding how this works. I'm just looking for a step by step way to solve this and an explanation on why there are 3 assignment operators within the formula. This is the first I've seen of this kind. I plan to further my education in Physics, but this is above my head right now and I'm looking for some assistance.

F = ma = m(d^2x)/(dt^2) = -kx

Jamie

PS - I don't know how to work the super script or the fraction bar available. Sorry.

2. Mar 1, 2012

### strangerep

It's sloppy. Only the last pair constitutes the equation you must solve.

x is a function of time, m and k are constants (mass and stiffness).

So you must solve a differential equation like this:
$$\frac{d^2x(t)}{dt^2} ~=~ - \omega^2 x(t)$$
where $\omega := \sqrt{k/m}$ .

If you're supposed to solve this by computer methods, the question should probably be asked over in the computing forum. Otherwise, the calculus forum.

(If this is homework, then ask in the homework forum.)

3. Mar 1, 2012

### lxXTaCoXxl

No this isn't homework; but as I read in the description of the formula that was given is that x was to be a variable in my computed method to represent the location of the object? But at the same time I thought the description given was a little more like Newton's Second Law. I'm new to the whole physics formulas into programming algorithms thing. So a little bit more a break down would be more efficient here. For example; plug some random values in and explain step by step how to solve it?

Thanks,
Jamie

4. Mar 2, 2012

### Hassan2

You don't need to understand the physics behind the mass-spring vibration. If you have only one spring (k) and one mass ( m) ,There is an analytical solution to this equation. You can simply define a function in your code and pass m, k, and initial values to it. It returns the displacement!

But if there is a large number of interconnected mass and springs ( or modeled like that, as in finite element method), then a little bit more work is required.

5. Mar 2, 2012

### strangerep

Yes.
It's a particular case of Newton's 2nd law.

If you want more background on the physics of it, try Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator

I'm unsure what this sentence means. It sounds like you're doing an exercise of solving a differential equation by writing your own program to do so. If so, I'm not the best person to help further with that. Maybe someone else can do so if you can phrase the problem more articulately. (Even though it's not homework, please read the homework guidelines since they contain useful suggestions on how to format this type of request. No one is likely to put effort into helping unless you prove that you're putting in a reasonable amount of effort yourself.)