Resistive Force (of a damped oscillator: what is it?)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the average rate of energy loss in a damped oscillator due to resistive forces. The key equation derived is <P> = mBω²A², where m is mass, B is the damping constant, ω is the natural frequency, and A is the amplitude. The resistive force is defined as Fr = -bv, with b = 2Bm. The confusion arises from the need to square the velocity in the power equation, which is clarified as being proportional to the square of the velocity.

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Oijl
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Homework Statement


Consider a damped oscillator, with natural frequency [tex]\omega_{o}[/tex] and damping constant B, both fixed, that is driven by force F(t) = F[tex]_{o}[/tex]cos([tex]\omega[/tex]t).


Verify that the average rate at which energy is lost to the resistive force is mB[tex]\omega^2[/tex]A[tex]^2[/tex].

Homework Equations


x = Acos([tex]\omega[/tex]t-[tex]\delta[/tex])
v = -A[tex]\omega[/tex]sin([tex]\omega[/tex]t-[tex]\delta[/tex])
Fr = -bv
b = 2Bm
T = period = (2pi)/omega

The Attempt at a Solution


The resistive force is Fr = -bv, ehe?

Where b = 2Bm?

So I'll say P(t) = (Fr)(v)

So then the average rate <P> at which the energy is lost to the resistive force is

<P> = (1/T) times the integral(from zero to T) of P(t)dt
= ((-2BmA[tex]\omega[/tex])/T) times the integral(from zero to T) of sin([tex]\omega[/tex]t-[tex]\delta[/tex])

But if I do that I obviously get zero.

A solution I saw had what I have, except the velocity was squared. I don't know why the velocity had been squared. Please, please, can someone explain to me why the velocity is squared? That would be lovely. Very, very, oh so very and extremely lovely.



Also, I don't know why some of the omegas are high. Sorry.
 
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The power is equal to force times velocity, and the force is proportional to the velocity. So power is proportional to v2.
 
Ya...

Thank you. It was 7am when I posted this, and I hadn't slept. I realized my mistake as I thought about this problem in the shower.
 

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