How to Find the Energy in Harmonic Motion?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving a physics problem related to harmonic motion and energy conservation. Participants analyze the equations of motion, specifically focusing on how energy is distributed in a system involving a spring and a rolling cylinder. They clarify the differentiation process and the application of the chain rule, ultimately arriving at the correct form of the differential equation. The conversation also touches on deriving the angular frequency for the system, leading to the conclusion that it is expressed as w = √(2k/3m). The final insights emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between the equations of motion and energy in harmonic systems.
gills
Messages
115
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Problem 60 in attached image:
chap13_phy131.jpg



Homework Equations



E = U + K
E = \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} + \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} + \frac{1}{2}Iw^{2}

w = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}

x(t) = Acos(wt)

Equation 13.3 they are referring to in the book:

m(\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}) = -kx ----> which = --->

\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} + \frac{k}{m}x = 0



This is what I'm working with now...am i on the right track?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ok if i look at problem 59 as a helper up top and differentiate that equation with respect to time, i end up with:

E = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} + \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} ---> E is a constant so that goes to 0.

v = \frac{dx}{dt} which = \frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} when differentiated

but if you differentiate x, that is \frac{dx}{dt}. I'm confused as to how they end up with solely x in that equation. So by what I solved it'll look like this:

0 = m\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} + k\frac{dx}{dt}

if i rearrange that, i more or less get the eq. 13.3, but it's not exactly. What is being done wrong?

m\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = - k\frac{dx}{dt}
 
Ok, i think I've got it. I didn't use the chain rule with differentiating with respect to t:

E = \frac{1}{2}m\frac{dx}{dt}^{2} + \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} --->

0 = m\frac{dx}{dt} * \frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} + kx * \frac{dx}{dt}

m\frac{dx}{dt} * \frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = - kx * \frac{dx}{dt} ---> \frac{dx}{dt} cancels on both sides and we end up with --->

m\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = - kx ---> which is the eq they asked for


Now I'll move onto 60 if that's correct. Anyone have insight?
 
Ok, based on what i solved up ^^ there:

using eq that i posted in the original post:

E = \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} + \frac{1}{2}mv^{2} + \frac{1}{2}Iw^{2} --->

w = \frac{v}{r} in rotational motion.

I of a solid disk = \frac{1}{2}mr^{2} --->

\frac{1}{2}Iw^{2} = \frac{1}{2}(\frac{1}{2}mr^{2} * (\frac{v}{r})^{2} --->

r's cancel each other out we end up with \frac{1}{4}mv^{2} --->

E = \frac{1}{4}m\frac{dx}{dt}^{2} + \frac{1}{2}m\frac{dx}{dt}^{2} + \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} --->

E = \frac{3}{4}m\frac{dx}{dt}^{2} + \frac{1}{2}kx^{2} ---> now differentiate w.r.t t on both sides--->

\frac{3}{2}m\frac{dx}{dt} * \frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -kx * \frac{dx}{dt} ---> \frac{dx}{dt} cancels on both sides and we end up with --->

\frac{3}{2}m\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -kx


so the only difference between energy in a regular oscillator and one connected to a wheel that's not sliding is \frac{3}{2}?? Something doesn't seem right. Anyone??
 
bump^^^
 
Looks good to me! :smile:

The spring hasn't changed, but now it has to provide the energy to roll the cylinder as well as slide it. So the same mass "feels" heavier.

It may be instructive to analyze this problem directly in terms of the forces involved and verify that you get the same answer. Realize that static friction acts to oppose slipping between the cylinder and the surface.
 
Doc Al said:
Looks good to me! :smile:

The spring hasn't changed, but now it has to provide the energy to roll the cylinder as well as slide it. So the same mass "feels" heavier.

It may be instructive to analyze this problem directly in terms of the forces involved and verify that you get the same answer. Realize that static friction acts to oppose slipping between the cylinder and the surface.


ok, i'll look at it that way.

moving onto the second part of the problem where it asks for angular frequency (w):

k = mw^{2} ---> sub into derived formula the solve for w --->

\frac{3}{2}m\left(\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}\right) = -(mw^{2})x ---> m's cancel on both sides

w = - \sqrt{\left(\frac{3\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}}}{2x}}\right)

how does that look? w has a negative sense?
 
The way to get angular frequency is by comparing your new differential equation with the standard differential equation, which is:
d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(k/m)x

From the solution to that equation:
\omega = \sqrt{k/m}

Realizing that k and m are just constants, what would be the angular frequency for the cylinder problem?

(Useful rule of thumb to drum into your brain: The same equations have the same solutions. :wink:)
 
Doc Al said:
The way to get angular frequency is by comparing your new differential equation with the standard differential equation, which is:
d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(k/m)x

From the solution to that equation:
\omega = \sqrt{k/m}

Realizing that k and m are just constants, what would be the angular frequency for the cylinder problem?

(Useful rule of thumb to drum into your brain: The same equations have the same solutions. :wink:)

Doc,

I know it should be easy to see, but i can't see it right now.

Is it just going to be w = 3/2 * \sqrt{k/m} ?? give me a few more pointers...
 
  • #10
Doc Al said:
The way to get angular frequency is by comparing your new differential equation with the standard differential equation, which is:
d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(k/m)x

From the solution to that equation:
\omega = \sqrt{k/m}

Realizing that k and m are just constants, what would be the angular frequency for the cylinder problem?

(Useful rule of thumb to drum into your brain: The same equations have the same solutions. :wink:)


am i using the equation x(t) = Acos(wt) and pluging that into x and differenting it twice to get d^{2}x/{dt^{2}, and then pluggin that in?

Maybe I'm having trouble understand your post because I'm new to differential equations. Any guidance would be great. Thanks.
 
  • #11
gills said:
Is it just going to be w = 3/2 * \sqrt{k/m} ??
Almost, but not quite right.

If the solution to the standard equation:

d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(k/m)x

Has:

\omega = \sqrt{k/m}


Then what's the solution to this equation:

d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(2k/3m)x

Remember that k/m is just a constant as far as the equation is concerned. What's the new constant?
 
  • #12
Doc Al said:
Almost, but not quite right.

If the solution to the standard equation:

d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(k/m)x

Has:

\omega = \sqrt{k/m}


Then what's the solution to this equation:

d^{2}x/{dt^{2} = -(2k/3m)x

Remember that k/m is just a constant as far as the equation is concerned. What's the new constant?


w = \sqrt{(2k/3m)} ??

If that's the case, can you please explain or show me how that's the solution of the original equation. Thanks a lot for you help!
 
  • #13
gills said:
w = \sqrt{(2k/3m)} ??
Right!

If that's the case, can you please explain or show me how that's the solution of the original equation.
That's just the value for \omega, not the complete solution. (Sorry if I wasn't clear.) The solution is what you quoted before:
x(t) = Acos(wt) [plus a constant or phase factor, of course]

Plug that into the equation and verify that it's a solution.
 
Back
Top