How to begin oscillation in steady state?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the initial conditions for an underdamped harmonic oscillator to achieve steady-state motion under the influence of a time-dependent force, specifically F = m f cos(ωt). The key equations provided include the displacement x(t) and the definitions of r² and θ. The correct initial conditions are x(0) = (f/r)cos(θ) and v(0) = (fω/r)sin(θ), which differ from the initial assumptions of x0 = 0 and v0 = 0. The transient solution can be nullified by setting a = 0, but the initial conditions must still be calculated accurately.

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I need to find the initial conditions such than an underdamped harmonic oscillator will immediately begin steady-state motion under the time dependent force F = m f cosωt.

For the underdamped case:
x(t) = ae^{-\gamma t}cos(\Omega t+\alpha)+\frac{f}{r}cos(\omega t-\theta)

and if it matter, r^2 = (\omega^2_0-\omega^2)^2+4\gamma^2\omega^2
and \theta = Tan^{-1}\frac{2\gamma\omega}{\omega^2_0-\omega^2}<br />

I thought I would just have to find x0 and v0 such that the transient was 0, but that doesn't seem to be leading down the right track. What direction should my solution be heading?
 
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Why not just let x0=0 and v0=0? This should zero out the transient portion of the solution and leave the driving force intact.
 
genxhis said:
Why not just let x0=0 and v0=0? This should zero out the transient portion of the solution and leave the driving force intact.

Makes sense to me, but the back of the book doesn't seem to agree. It has x_0=\frac{f (\omega^2_0-\omega^2)}{r^2} and v_0=\frac{2\gamma\omega^2f}{r^2}.
 
oh. take x(0) and x'(0) and let a = 0. If a = 0 then the transient solution is immediate null, but you'll see x0 and v0 are not. You'll have to subtitute for theta as well.
 
bullet_ballet said:
I need to find the initial conditions such than an underdamped harmonic oscillator will immediately begin steady-state motion under the time dependent force F = m f cosωt.

For the underdamped case:
x(t) = ae^{-\gamma t}cos(\Omega t+\alpha)+\frac{f}{r}cos(\omega t-\theta)

and if it matter, r^2 = (\omega^2_0-\omega^2)^2+4\gamma^2\omega^2
and \theta = Tan^{-1}\frac{2\gamma\omega}{\omega^2_0-\omega^2} <br />

I thought I would just have to find x0 and v0 such that the transient was 0, but that doesn't seem to be leading down the right track. What direction should my solution be heading?

It was a good start. Let a=0. Find x(0) and v(0). You have
x(0)=\frac{f}{r}cos(\theta ) \mbox{ and }v(0)=\frac{f\omega}{r}\sin(\theta ), use that
cos(\theta ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1+tan^2(\theta )}}\mbox{, }sin(\theta )=\frac{tan(\theta )}{\sqrt{1+tan^2(\theta )}} \mbox{ and } tan(tan^{-1}(\theta))=\theta.

ehild
 

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