Rate at Which 2 Masses & Springs Exchange Energy

[dimensionless]

I ran some simulations with a two mass-three springs oscillator. I found that one mass would oscillate for a while and then almost stop. When that happened the other would start moving back and forth. Is there a way I can predict at what rate the masses will exchange energy?

 

[lpfr]

Yes. If you write down the two differential equations, you can verify that the solution is a mix of two modes of oscillation.
a) One with the two masses en phase. In this case the central spring does nothing and the frequency is given just by the spring constant and the mass.
b) Another with the two masses in opposition of phase. This time the frequency is higher.
When you add the two modes, you should obtain something like: [y_1]=A_1\cos\omega_1t + A_2\cos\omega_2t
[y_2]=A_1\cos\omega_1t - A_2\cos\omega_2t
You can work this result in the form:
\cos\left({\omega_1+\omega_2\over 2}t\right) \cos\left({\omega_1-\omega_2\over 2}t\right)
This gives and oscillation at the mean frequency, modulated by a sinusoid at half the frequency difference.
As you kown the dependency of energy with amplitude, you can work the power transfer between the two masses.

 

[dimensionless]

It looks like your using the identity
cos{C} + cos{B} = 2 cos{\frac{C+B}{2}}cos{\frac{C-B}{2}}
Would this identity still work if my coefficient for y_{n} have values other than A_{n} = 1?

 

[lpfr]

Not directly, but you can always split things as:
[y_1]=A_1\cos\omega_1t + A_2\cos\omega_2t= A_1\left(\cos\omega_1t + \cos\omega_2t \right) + (A_2-A_1) \cos\omega_2t
There is a constant amplitude term and a variable one.

 

[dimensionless]

If I implement the identity from here, won't it more or less bring me back to where I started? My goal is to figure out the rate at which the masses exchange energy.

 

[lpfr]

Do as you like. But I know what I said.