How Do You Solve for C1 and C2 in Damped Simple Harmonic Motion?

runevxii
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
I'm having trouble with this problem. I want to get it into a form with cos but I'm stumped.
The solution for damped simple harmonic motion is given by
x = (e^(-rt/2m))(C_1*e^(iw't)+C_2*e^(-iwt))
If x = Acos phi at t = 0, find the values of C_1 and C_2 to show that x'=(approx) -w'Asinphi at t = 0 only if r/m is very small or phi =(approx) pi/2.

Where w = omega and phi = angle phi and i=complex variable x' = 1st derivative

Any ideas or help would be really appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
exp (ix) = cos x + i sin x, and exp (-ix) = cos x - i sinx

Expand the exponentials and then rearrange the coefficents for cos x and i sinx.
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top