- #1
Shan K
- 73
- 0
Will anyone help me to understand the concept of reduced mass , where does it come from and its physical significance
The reduced mass is typically used as a relationship between two system elements in parallel, such as resistors; whether these be in the electrical, thermal, hydraulic, or mechanical domains. This relationship is determined by the physical properties of the elements as well as the continuity equation linking them.
Reduced mass is a concept used in physics to describe the effective mass of a system composed of two or more particles. It is the mass that appears in the equations of motion for the system, and is typically different from the individual masses of the particles.
The reduced mass is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual masses. In mathematical terms, it is expressed as 1/((1/m1)+(1/m2)+...+(1/mn)).
Reduced mass is significant because it allows us to simplify the equations of motion for a system of particles, making calculations easier. It also helps us understand how the masses of individual particles affect the overall motion of the system.
The concept of reduced mass was first introduced by Isaac Newton in his laws of motion. It was later developed further by physicists such as Joseph Louis Lagrange and William Rowan Hamilton.
Reduced mass is used in various fields of physics, such as quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and molecular dynamics, to describe the motion and interactions of particles in a system. It is also used in engineering to calculate the resonant frequency of systems, such as musical instruments and bridges.