# Measuring the natural frequency of a spring-mass system driving force

Homework Statement:
Measuring the natural frequency of a spring-mass system with the driving force graph
Relevant Equations:
$$F = \frac{\omega}{2\pi}, \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}$$
Hi,

On a driving force graph ##y = displacement (m)## and ##x = time## where the external force start at t = 0 and the system is in equilibrium at x=0, it's easy to find the driving frequency.

$$F = \frac{\omega}{2\pi}, \omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}$$ and we can get ##T## easily with the steady state part of the graph.

However, is there a way to find the natural frequency and the driving force amplitude?

Maybe by finding where ##w_d = w_0##, which is the resonance frequency.

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haruspex
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The natural frequency can be inferred from the phase lag. To find that, you need the corresponding graph for the applied force.

The natural frequency can be inferred from the phase lag. To find that, you need the corresponding graph for the applied force.
I have to find the natural frequency, but that's all I have. Is there another way?

Should I use ##F(t) = F_0=cos(\omega t + \phi)##

haruspex
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I have to find the natural frequency, but that's all I have. Is there another way?

Should I use ##F(t) = F_0=cos(\omega t + \phi)##
What exactly do you have? The graph in post #1 looks like a freehand sketch. How was this obtained?
The start of it shows some transients. It might be possible to estimate a natural frequency from that, but it looks a bit messy.

It might be possible to estimate a natural frequency from that, but it looks a bit messy.
I'll try to draw a better graph. I'll edited the post.

haruspex
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I'll try to draw a better graph.
But from what? Do you have some data you can post (in machine-readable form, not as an image)?

But from what? Do you have some data you can post (in machine-readable form, not as an image)?
I have to find the natural frequency only with that graph. I don't have any data.

haruspex
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I have to find the natural frequency only with that graph. I don't have any data.
But if you are drawing the graph, what are you using to draw it?

I try to draw the same graph that I have in my book with my mouse

haruspex
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I try to draw the same graph that I have in my book with my mouse
Can you simply photograph the page in the book and post that?

Is it good?

haruspex
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Yes, much better.
The general solution to forced damped oscillation, in complex form, is ##z(t)=Ce^{-\alpha t}+De^{-\alpha' t}+(A+iB)e^{-i\omega_dt}##, where ##\omega_d## is the forcing angular frequency, α and α are determined by the natural frequency and the damping factor, and A and B are determined by the forcing amplitude and frequency, the mass, the damping factor ##\Gamma## and the natural frequency ##\omega_0##.
E.g. ##A=\frac{(\omega_0^2-\omega_d^2)\frac{F_0}m}{(\omega_0^2-\omega_d^2)+\Gamma^2\omega_d^2}##.
See https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics...-fall-2016/syllabus/MIT8_03SCF16_Text_Ch2.pdf, but I have used the opposite sign for alpha.

The ##Ce^{-\alpha t}+De^{-\alpha' t}## terms are transients and die away, so the other terms correspond to the last part of your graph. In the early part of your graph you have the same but with the transient added in. So if you extend that trailing part back to the start and subtract it from the whole you should be left with a graph of the transients only.

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The ##Ce^{-\alpha t}+De^{-\alpha' t}## terms are transients and die away, so the other terms correspond to the last part of your graph. In the early part of your graph you have the same but with the transient added in. So if you extend that trailing part back to the start and subtract it from the whole you should be left with a graph of the transients only.

I understand that, but how I can subtract the ##\omega_d## from the transients with only the data that I have. Which are, ##Mass = 1##, at ## x = 0## the mass doesn't move. ##F(t) = f_0cos(\omega t + \phi)## and the graph.

I found ##\omega_d## using the graph, but I don't have the amplitude, ##F_0## or ##\gamma## which is ##\frac{b}{m}##

Basically, I have to find all those values above.

Last edited:
haruspex
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I understand that, but how I can subtract the ##\omega_d## from the transients with only the data that I have. Which are, ##Mass = 1##, at ## x = 0## the mass doesn't move. ##F(t) = f_0cos(\omega t + \phi)## and the graph.

I found ##\omega_d## using the graph, but I don't have the amplitude, ##F_0## or ##\gamma## which is ##\frac{b}{m}##

Basically, I have to find all those values above.
I mean to subtract the displacements as shown on the graph. That should produce a graph of ##Ce^{-\alpha t}##, allowing you to read off C and ##\alpha##.
Of course, it would be a lot easier if you had the raw data instead of just a picture.

Of course, it would be a lot easier if you had the raw data instead of just a picture.

I have multiple graphs and I have to read those data only with the graph.

The order of the questions is the same. I mean, I have to find ##\omega_d## then ##\omega_0##, ##b## , ##F_0## and ##\phi##

So, I guess I need ##\omega_d## to get ##\omega_0## and so on.

Maybe I can only get ##\omega_d## with the graph then I have to use ##\omega_d## to get ##\omega_0##, but even after hours I don't see how.

haruspex
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I have multiple graphs and I have to read those data only with the graph.

The order of the questions is the same. I mean, I have to find ##\omega_d## then ##\omega_0##, ##b## , ##F_0## and ##\phi##

So, I guess I need ##\omega_d## to get ##\omega_0## and so on.

Maybe I can only get ##\omega_d## with the graph then I have to use ##\omega_d## to get ##\omega_0##, but even after hours I don't see how.
You have ##\omega_d## already, yes? I've just downloaded a tool for extracting datapoints from a graph image. I'll let you know how I go.

##\omega_d = \frac{2\pi}{T}##

We can see in the steady-state that the period = 1s, so ##\omega_d = 2\pi## and ##f = 1hz##

In the steady-state, the oscillator moves with the same angular frequency as the drive.

haruspex
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Here's what I got. The blue is a digitisation of points on your graph. The yellow is points of a sine curve based on the trailing part of your graph, and you see that it matches the blue well there.
The red is obtained by subtracting yellow from blue. This reveals the transients that die away. It's a bit scrappy because my digitisation wasn't that great, but you can see the 4 second cycle (underdamped) and you can estimate the attenuation per cycle.
Can you make some progress from there?

So ##\omega_0 = \frac{2\pi}{4}## Basically, the transients is always (in this case) blue - yellow?

haruspex
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So ##\omega_0 = \frac{2\pi}{4}##
Not so fast. This is an underdamped oscillation. The relationship between the observed period of the transient (ω) and ω0 is given by equation 2.9 at the link I posted. So you need to find Γ. You can find that from the observed attenuation of the transient and equation 2.10.
the transients is always (in this case) blue - yellow?
It is always the ##Ce^{-\alpha t}## term in ##z(t)=Ce^{-\alpha t}+De^{-\alpha' t}+(A+iB)e^{-i\omega_dt}##. The steady state behaviour, after transients have died away, is given by the other terms. So if you extrapolate the steady state back to the origin and subtract it from the whole graph you are left with the graph of the transients.

How can I see this is a underdamped oscillator and the period without your graph.

Tom.G
The graph you posted in post 11 makes it easy to visually find the natural frequency.

Look at the graph around the 10sec mark where it crosses the -2 displacement going in the positive direction. Then count how many times the graph crosses the -2 displacement, in the same direction, between the 10sec and 20sec marks.

Thus knowing how many cycles in 10sec, can you determine the frequency?

Cheers,
Tom

Look at the graph around the 10sec mark where it crosses the -2 displacement going in the positive direction. Then count how many times the graph crosses the -2 displacement, in the same direction, between the 10sec and 20sec marks.

Between 10s and 20s isn't ##\omega_d##? Since in the steady-state, the oscillator moves with the same angular frequency as the drive.

haruspex
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The graph you posted in post 11 makes it easy to visually find the natural frequency.

Look at the graph around the 10sec mark where it crosses the -2 displacement going in the positive direction. Then count how many times the graph crosses the -2 displacement, in the same direction, between the 10sec and 20sec marks.

Thus knowing how many cycles in 10sec, can you determine the frequency?

Cheers,
Tom
No, that gives the driving frequency. @EpselonZero found that early on.

haruspex