Motion of a point is equal to dynamic harmonic oscilation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a point mass moving along the x-axis with a velocity described by the equation (A-Bx^2)^(1/2). The task is to demonstrate that this motion corresponds to dynamic harmonic oscillation and to find the period of the oscillation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, questioning the use of velocity as a function of position rather than time. There are attempts to derive equations using conservation of energy and integrating expressions involving velocity and position.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints regarding the conservation of energy and the integration of derived equations. There is exploration of how to relate the derived equations to standard forms of simple harmonic motion (SHM), but no consensus has been reached on the approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of relating the given velocity equation to the characteristics of SHM, with some noting the potential for messy substitutions and the challenge of simplifying their results.

prehisto
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Homework Statement


Point with mass is moving along the positive direction of x axis, its velocity is described by (A-Bx^2)^(1/2). Show that its equation of motion describes dynamic harmonic oscillation and find period (T) of this oscillation.

Homework Equations


v=(A-Bx^2)^(1/2)
A and B is known constants

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Hi, guys!
My first instinct is to try to get something from F=m*a=-k*x.
Further more m*(dv/dt)=-k*x, but immediately i see that its wrong because v=v(x) not v(t).

So ,please, could someone give me some advice.
Thank you!
 
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Hint short:

If energy is conserved for a SHO along the lines of
$$ stuff1 \times v^2 + stuff2 \times x^2 = constant$$
no?

Hint, long:

$$ F = m {dv \over dt} = m {dv \over dx} {dx \over dt} = m v {dv \over dx} = -kx$$

Integrate dx both sides, what do you get?
 
hello!
Thank you for your hints, I had forgotten connections between derivatives.

If I take the equation mv (dv/dx)=-kx
I obtain m*v*dv=-k*x*dx
By integrating m *(v^2)/2+C1=-k*(x^2)/2+C2
I suppose I could now substitute v with given equation but if I do so, the equation becomes very messy and I do not think that it could be reduced to something useful.

What do you suggest?
 
Does your equation with the squares look like a conservation equation to you? :D (protip, you could haved used conservation of energy, but instead you derived it like a beast!)

Anyways, if you solve for v from x from that equation, what do you get? What is the equivalent of
$$\omega = \sqrt{k \over m}$$ when you try to match your equation to the given equation $$v = (A-Bx^2)^{1 \over 2}$$
 
Last edited:
prehisto said:
Show that its equation of motion describes dynamic harmonic oscillation and find period (T) of this oscillation.
There is a simpler alternative to showing it satisfies the usual SHM ODE: show it satisfies the solution to an SHM ODE.
 
paralleltransport said:
Does your equation with the squares look like a conservation equation to you? :D (protip, you could haved used conservation of energy, but instead you derived it like a beast!)

Anyways, if you solve for v from x from that equation, what do you get? What is the equivalent of
$$\omega = \sqrt{k \over m}$$ when you try to match your equation to the given equation $$v = (A-Bx^2)^{1 \over 2}$$

If I solve for v, I obtain [itex]v = ({\frac{\ 2(C1-C2)}{m}} - {\frac{\ k x^2}{m}})^{(1/2)}[/itex]
which looks similar to given equation and if I assume that
[itex]A≡{\frac{\ 2(C1-C2)}{m}}[/itex]
it can be rewritten
[itex]v = (A - ω^2x^2)^{(1/2)}[/itex]
which means that
[itex]B≡ ω^2[/itex]
 

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