How is the Sine Term Transformed in the Harmonic Motion Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of the sine term in the equation for simple harmonic motion. Participants explore the relationship between different forms of the solution and the implications of phase shifts in the context of harmonic motion, focusing on the mathematical derivation and interpretation of terms in the differential equation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the differential equation for simple harmonic motion and its general solution, seeking clarification on the transformation of the sine term.
  • Another participant suggests using the cosine addition formula to expand the generalized solution, pointing out a missing time variable in the original equation.
  • A participant proposes a substitution for the coefficients in the solution, indicating that the sine and cosine terms can be expressed in terms of amplitude and phase shift.
  • There is a reiteration of the relationship between the phase shift and the delta term in the generalized solution, with confirmation from another participant.
  • A later contribution discusses the dimensionality of the mass-spring system and suggests a geometric interpretation of the sine and cosine functions in relation to vertical and horizontal motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical transformations involved, particularly regarding the phase shift and its representation in the generalized solution. However, there are varying interpretations of the implications of these transformations, particularly in relation to the dimensional aspects of the motion.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the coordinate system and the nature of the mass-spring system may not be explicitly stated, and the discussion includes different perspectives on the interpretation of the sine and cosine terms without resolving these interpretations.

danielu13
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I'm trying to work out the differential equation for simple harmonic motion without damping,
x''+\frac{k}{m}x = 0

I can solve it to
x = c_1cos(\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}) + c_2sin(\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}})

But the generalized solution is
x = Acos(\omega*t + \delta)

where
A = \sqrt{c_1^2 + c_2^2}

I can understand the change of variables, but I don't really understand what happens to the sine term. Can anyone help me with this?
 
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Try expanding the cos(wt+d) using cos(A+B) rule.
(Btw, you left out the t's on the RHS of the cos-and-sine solution.)
 
Let c1 = A cos(D) and c2= -A sin(D)
Bring them back into x = c1 cos(K) + c2 sin(K) where K = sqrt(k/m)
cos(D)cos(K)-sin(D)sin(K) = cos (K+D)
x = A cos(K+D)
and note that c1²+c2² = A²cos²(D)+A²sin²(D) = A²
A = sqrt (c1²+c2²)
 
JJacquelin said:
Let c1 = A cos(D) and c2= -A sin(D)
Bring them back into x = c1 cos(K) + c2 sin(K) where K = sqrt(k/m)
cos(D)cos(K)-sin(D)sin(K) = cos (K+D)
x = A cos(K+D)
and note that c1²+c2² = A²cos²(D)+A²sin²(D) = A²
A = sqrt (c1²+c2²)
So the cos(D) and -sin(D) represent the phase shift, and that's where the delta term comes from in the generalized solution?
 
danielu13 said:
So the cos(D) and -sin(D) represent the phase shift, and that's where the delta term comes from in the generalized solution?
Yes.
 
delta = D = -arctan(c2/c1)
 
I was also trouble with that.But now I have an idea.
We know that mass-spring system or simple harmonic motion is one dimensional.
From our coordinate system Y is vertical and X is horizontal.And also we know that mass-spring can be on vertical or horizontal.That's look what we found from differential equation :
A = sin(wt+teta)

So we are working for mass-spring system on vertical.We can add 90 degress to teta for change the dimension.So we get cos.
 

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