Question about the general solution to Hooke's law

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    Differential Law
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the general solution to Hooke's law as expressed through the second order differential equation mx'' = -kx. Participants explore the validity of a proposed method for solving this equation and the implications of their interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the standard solution of Acos(wt) + Bsin(wt) and proposes an alternative method involving separation of variables, suggesting m∫x''/x = -∫kt''.
  • Another participant challenges the validity of this alternative approach, stating that it does not solve the differential equation and expressing confusion over the interpretation of the proposed separation.
  • Further responses reiterate that the proposed solution does not satisfy the original differential equation, emphasizing the incorrectness of the method suggested.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the validity of the proposed alternative method for solving the differential equation, with multiple viewpoints expressed regarding its correctness.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the interpretation of the proposed separation of variables and the mathematical steps involved in the alternative solution.

dainceptionman_02
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ok, so usually one of the first equations in Diff Eq is F = -kx, which is the second order differential equation mx'' = -kx, where they give you the only general solution in the universe as Acoswt + Bsinwt. I was wondering, why can't you just separate the equation and get m∫x''/x = -∫kt'' which should be m(xlnx - x) = -kt^2/2 + C ?
 
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dainceptionman_02 said:
ok, so usually one of the first equations in Diff Eq is F = -kx, which is the second order differential equation mx'' = -kx, where they give you the only general solution in the universe as Acoswt + Bsinwt. I was wondering, why can't you just separate the equation and get m∫x''/x = -∫kt'' which should be m(xlnx - x) = -kt^2/2 + C ?
That does not solve the differential equation: ##\displaystyle \quad m \ddot{x} = -kx \ \ .##

What do you even mean by m∫x''/x = -∫kt'' ?

Your solution seems to have interpreted this as

##\displaystyle \quad \quad m \int \left( \int \frac 1 x dx \right) dx = -k \int \left( \int dt \right) dt \ \ ,##

which is so very wrong.
 
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If you plug your solution back into the original equation, it doesn't satisfy it.
 
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SammyS said:
That does not solve the differential equation: ##\displaystyle \quad m \ddot{x} = -kx \ \ .##

What do you even mean by m∫x''/x = -∫kt'' ?

Your solution seems to have interpreted this as ##\displaystyle
m \int \left( \int \frac 1 x dx \right) dx = -k \int \left( \int dt \right) dt \ \ ,## which is so very wrong.
I'm getting dizzy... o0)
 
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