How to find formula for resonant frequency of a forced oscillator.

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the formula for the resonant frequency of a damped forced harmonic oscillator. Participants explore the relationship between various parameters affecting amplitude and seek methods to determine the driving angular frequency at which amplitude is maximized.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the formula for amplitude A and questions how to find the driving angular frequency w at which A is maximum, suggesting that this frequency is the resonant frequency.
  • Another participant agrees with the approach of differentiating A with respect to w and equating it to zero, indicating that the resulting equation can be simplified for easier solving.
  • A different perspective is offered, suggesting that maximizing A is equivalent to minimizing 1/A, which could simplify the differentiation process.
  • One participant challenges the resonant frequency formula provided in the original post, arguing that it incorrectly combines terms with different units, implying a misunderstanding of the underlying physics.
  • A participant notes the damping coefficient's units and hints at the complexity of demonstrating the relationship between the parameters involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the resonant frequency formula and the methods for finding the maximum amplitude. There is no consensus on the validity of the proposed formula or the best approach to solve the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential issues with unit consistency in the resonant frequency formula and the complexity of the mathematical derivation involved in finding the maximum amplitude.

alimon.cioro
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
In a damped forced harmonic oscillator the amplitude is determined by a series of paramenters according to :

A = (Fo/m)/ (sqrt( (wo^2-w^2)^2+(wy)^2) ).

where

Fo= driving force,
m=mass of spring
wo=natural frequency of system.
w=driving frequency
y=damping constant.

Now my question is how do you find the driving angular frequency w at which A is maximum, which should be the resonante frequency (that is not exactly Wo).

The resonant frequency formula is :

Wres = sqrt(Wo^2-(y^2)/2)) .

I though that differentiating the formula for A in terms of dA/dw and equating it to zero should give me an answer but the maths look to convoluted for such a simple answer. Any ideas of how to get the resonante frequency?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
alimon.cioro said:
In a damped forced harmonic oscillator the amplitude is determined by a series of paramenters according to :

A = (Fo/m)/ (sqrt( (wo^2-w^2)^2+(wy)^2) ).

where

Fo= driving force,
m=mass of spring
wo=natural frequency of system.
w=driving frequency
y=damping constant.

Now my question is how do you find the driving angular frequency w at which A is maximum, which should be the resonante frequency (that is not exactly Wo).

The resonant frequency formula is :

Wres = sqrt(Wo^2-(y^2)/2)) .

I though that differentiating the formula for A in terms of dA/dw and equating it to zero should give me an answer but the maths look to convoluted for such a simple answer. Any ideas of how to get the resonante frequency?

That's precisely what you must do. The equation you get is actually easy to solve.
Note that you get something over ( (wo^2-w^2)^2+(wy)^2)^(3/2). You may multiply both sides of the equation by ( (wo^2-w^2)^2+(wy)^2)^(3/2) and you are left with a simple expression equal to zero, which is then easy to solve.
 
The easy way is to see that if A is a maximum, 1/A is a mimimum, and 1/A2 is also a minimum.

Differentiating d (1/A2) / dw is easy.

BTW the formula you gave in the OP for the resonant frequency is wrong. If can't possibly be right to subtract a frequency squared and a damping corefficient squared, they don't have the same units!
 
The damping coefficient is s^-1 Rather convoluted to show. OTOH, note the equation for the position. X = A*exp(-dc*t)*cos(etc.) for the simple harmonic damped oscillator.

bc
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
39
Views
5K
Replies
7
Views
2K