Mass-Spring System Beats and Resonance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of beats and resonance in a mass-spring system, particularly focusing on the mathematical modeling of oscillations described by differential equations. Participants explore the conditions under which beats occur, the role of friction, and the derivation of particular solutions to the governing equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether friction is present in the context of beats, with one noting that beats can occur even with friction, although they may diminish quickly.
  • There is discussion about the form of the particular solution, with participants proposing that it takes the form of a combination of sine and cosine functions due to the nature of linear differential equations.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the derivation of the equation involving the coefficients a and b, asking for clarification on how it is derived from the original differential equation.
  • Another participant suggests that the solution can be expressed in terms of trigonometric identities, indicating a relationship between the frequencies involved in the system.
  • There is a mention of resonance occurring when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency of the system, leading to specific forms of the solution.
  • Participants discuss the method of finding particular solutions and the importance of differentiating the assumed forms to derive coefficients based on initial conditions.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the general solution and the determination of coefficients A and B based on initial conditions.
  • There is a reference to a more general method called variation of parameters for finding solutions to differential equations, which some participants suggest is more than just an educated guess.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and confusion regarding the methods for deriving solutions, particularly the distinction between general and particular solutions. Some participants express understanding, while others seek clarification, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved on certain points.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the equations and the assumptions involved in deriving solutions, including the dependence on the definitions of terms and the conditions under which the equations are valid.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in the dynamics of oscillatory systems, particularly those studying the mathematical modeling of physical phenomena in physics and engineering contexts.

viciado123
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Beats and Resonance


In the Beat not have friction force, correct ?

m \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + kx = F_o cos(wt)

We can write as

\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + w_o^2 x = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt)

If w \not= w_o

Assuming (Particular solution)
x_p = acos(wt) + bsin(wt) Why we have assuming this ?

How find a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt) ?

And why find that: x_p is x_p = \frac{F_o}{m(w_o^2 -w^2)}cos(wt) ?
 
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viciado123 said:
Beats and Resonance


In the Beat not have friction force, correct ?

No, you can have beats with a friction force- but they die away quickly. In "real life" there is always friction, but you can hear "beats" if you play two guitar strings that are almost tuned to the same note.

m \frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + kx = F_o cos(wt)

We can write as

\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + w_o^2 x = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt)
Defining w_0 to be a square root of k, yes.

If w \not= w_o
I suspect you will soon learn what to do in case those are equal!

Assuming (Particular solution)
x_p = acos(wt) + bsin(wt) Why we have assuming this ?
Because it works! You should have learned, long before this, that the solutions to "linear differential equations with constant coefficients" are only of a few limited kinds of functions:
exponentials, sine and cosine, polynomials, and products of those.

And the method of "undetermined coefficients" for finding "specific solutions" for such equations uses the fact that if the right hand side is one of those kinds of functions, the "specific solution" will also be of that kind, with certain adjustments that you may still be learning about.

Note that this equation has an infinite number of solutions and we are looking for just one. So it doesn't hurt to look specifically for particular types of solutios.

How find a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt) ?
If y= a cos(w t)+ b sin(wt), then y'= -aw sin(wt)+ bw cos(wt) and y"= -aw^2 cos(wt)- bw^2 sin(wt). Put those formulas for y" and y into the differential equation.
And why find that: x_p is x_p = \frac{F_o}{m(w_o^2 -w^2)}cos(wt) ?
The equation you get from the above,
a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt)
must be true for all t. In particular, at t= 0, we must have
a(w_0^2- w^2)(1)+ b(w_0^2- w^2)(0)= a(w_0^2- w^2)= \frac{F_0}{m}(1)[/quote]<br /> which says that <br /> a= \frac{F_0}{m(w_0^2- w^2)}<br /> <br /> and taking t= \pi/2, we must have<br /> a(w_0^2- w^2)(0)+ b(w_0^2- w^2)(1)= b(w_0^2- w^2)= \frac{F_0}{m}(0)= 0<br /> so that b= 0.
 
Why we start this equation a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt) ?
Where does it come from?
 
viciado123 said:
Assuming (Particular solution)
x_p = acos(wt) + bsin(wt) Why we have assuming this ?

How find a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt) ?

And why find that: x_p is x_p = \frac{F_o}{m(w_o^2 -w^2)}cos(wt) ?

You don't seem to be grasping how the general-and-particular solution method works.

For the general solution, you pretend the RHS is 0.

For the particular solution, you make an intelligent guess (that's all it is! :wink:), which in this case is the given xp.

You then put that xp into the original equation, differentiate where appropriate, and that gives you …

viciado123 said:
Why we start this equation a(w_o^2 - w^2)cos(wt) + b(w_o^2 - w^2)sin(wt) = \frac{F_o}{m} cos(wt) ?
Where does it come from?
that equation! :rolleyes:.
 
Ok. Thanks.

The solution we have is:

x(t) = \frac{F_o}{m(w_o^2 - w^2)} (cos(wt) - cos(w_ot))

From this equation how find the solution:
x(t) = [ \frac{2F_o}{m(w_o^2-w^2)} sin(\frac{(w_o-w)t}{2}) ] sin(\frac{(w_o+w)t}{2}) ?

I think when w is near w_o produces beat, movement with varying amplitude
 
(type "\left(" and "\right)" for big brackets, and have an omega: ω :wink:)

That uses one of the trigonometric identities which you need to learn …

cosA - cosB = 2sin((A+B)/2)sin((A-B)/2)​

viciado123 said:
I think when w is near w_o produces beat, movement with varying amplitude
Try putting ω = ω0 + λ, where λ is small. :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
(type "\left(" and "\right)" for big brackets, and have an omega: ω :wink:)

That uses one of the trigonometric identities which you need to learn …

cosA - cosB = 2sin((A+B)/2)sin((A-B)/2)​


Try putting ω = ω0 + λ, where λ is small. :wink:


Thanks. Beat it is.

About Resonance, need w = w_o

x(t) = Acos(w_o t) + Bsin(w_o t)

Where the particular solution

x_p(t) = t(Acos(w_ot)+Bsin(w_ot))

How I find the solution: => x_p(t) = \frac{F_o}{2mw_o}tsin(w_ot) ?
 
Same as before … you put that xp into the original equation, and differentiate where appropriate. :smile:
 
tiny-tim said:
Same as before … you put that xp into the original equation, and differentiate where appropriate. :smile:

I do not know that equation we put XP on the original equation, I could not solve
 
  • #10
viciado123 said:
Where the particular solution

x_p(t) = t(Acos(w_ot)+Bsin(w_ot))

How I find the solution: => x_p(t) = \frac{F_o}{2mw_o}tsin(w_ot) ?

viciado123 said:
I do not know that equation we put XP on the original equation, I could not solve

Now you're worrying me, did you not understand how the particular solution was found in the original case?

In this new case, put the new xp into md2x/dt2 + kx = F0cosωt, to find what A and B are.
 
  • #11
tiny-tim said:
Now you're worrying me, did you not understand how the particular solution was found in the original case?

In this new case, put the new xp into md2x/dt2 + kx = F0cosωt, to find what A and B are.

Derivative great. I do after the with a program :smile:

The general solution is

x(t) = Acos(w_ot) + Bsin(w_ot) + \frac{F_o}{2mw_o}t sin(w_ot)

Is corret ?

A and B determine to initial conditions again ?
 
  • #12
Yes. :smile:
 
  • #13
tiny-tim said:
Yes. :smile:

Thank you
 
  • #14
Someone has a graphic example of the system to beat and resonance?
 
  • #15
This system w_o is the frequency of oscillation of the system and w is frequency of oscillation of the external force ?
 
  • #16
tiny-tim said:
You don't seem to be grasping how the general-and-particular solution method works.

For the general solution, you pretend the RHS is 0.

For the particular solution, you make an intelligent guess (that's all it is! :wink:), .

Actually there's a general technicall method called the variation of parameters which produces the general solution given any arbitrary "input" function. So it's not just a guess.

In specific cases (where the derivative of the input has its own form) it's much more easy to guess the solution.
 

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