Spring Differential Equation w/ Damping

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a second-order linear ordinary differential equation (ODE) related to a damped spring system with a spring constant of 20 pounds per foot and a 10-pound weight. The characteristic equation derived from the ODE is 10λ² + 4λ + 20 = 0, leading to complex roots λ = (-1 ± 7i)/5. The general solution for the displacement y(t) is expressed as y(t) = e^(-1/5 t)(A cos(7/5 t) + B sin(7/5 t)), with initial conditions used to determine constants A and B. A critical error identified is the use of weight instead of mass in the ODE formulation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of second-order linear ordinary differential equations
  • Familiarity with complex numbers and their applications in differential equations
  • Knowledge of initial value problems and how to apply initial conditions
  • Basic concepts of damping in mechanical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the characteristic equation for second-order ODEs
  • Study the method of undetermined coefficients for solving non-homogeneous ODEs
  • Learn about the physical interpretation of mass versus weight in mechanical systems
  • Explore numerical methods for solving differential equations when analytical solutions are complex
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Students studying differential equations, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in modeling damped oscillatory systems.

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Homework Statement


A spring with a spring constant of 20 pounds per foot is loaded with a 10-pound weight and allowed to reach equilibrium. It is then displaced 1 foot downward and released. If the weight experiences a retarding force in pounds equal to four times the velocity at every point, find the equation of motion where t is time and y(t) is displacement with respect to time.

Homework Equations



<br /> 10y&#039;&#039; + 4y&#039; + 20y = 0 \\<br /> y(t) = C_1e^{\lambda_1 t} + C_2e^{\lambda_2 t} \\<br /> e^{i\theta} = cos{\theta} + isin{\theta} \\<br /> y(0) = 1 \\<br /> y&#039;(0) = 0 \\<br />

The Attempt at a Solution


The ODE's characteristic equation is:
10\lambda ^2 + 4\lambda + 20 = 0 \\<br /> \text{or} \\<br /> 5\lambda ^2 + 2\lambda + 10 = 0
Solving for lambda...
\lambda = \frac{-1 \pm 7i}{5}

Therefore, y(t)—the solution to the ODE—is...
y(t) = C_1e^{\frac{-1 + 7i}{5} t} + C_2e^{\frac{-1 - 7i}{5} t} \\ <br /> \\<br /> = C_1e^{\frac{-1}{5}t}e^{\frac{7i}{5}t} + C_2e^{\frac{-1}{5}t}e^{\frac{-7i}{5}t} \\<br /> = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (C_1e^{\frac{7i}{5}t} + C_2e^{\frac{-7i}{5}t}) \\ <br /> = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (C_1cos{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_1isin{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_2cos{\frac{-7}{5}t} + C_2isin{\frac{-7}{5}t}) \\<br /> = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (C_1cos{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_1isin{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_2cos{\frac{-7}{5}t} + C_2isin{\frac{-7}{5}t})
Since cos[x] is even and sin[x] is odd...
<br /> = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (C_1cos{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_1isin{\frac{7}{5}t} + C_2cos{\frac{7}{5}t} - C_2isin{\frac{7}{5}t}) \\<br /> = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} ( (C_1 + C_2)cos{\frac{7}{5}t} + (C_1 - C_2)isin{\frac{7}{5}t}) \\<br /> \text{Let:} \\<br /> A = (C_1 + C_2), B = i(C_1 - C_2) \\<br /> \text{So...} \\<br /> y(t) = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (Acos{\frac{7}{5}t} + Bsin{\frac{7}{5}t})<br />

Now we use the initial conditions to solve for A and B.

<br /> y(0) = e^{\frac{-1}{5}(0)} (A\cos{\frac{7}{5}(0)} + B\sin{\frac{7}{5}(0)}) = 1 \\<br /> = A\cos 0 + B\sin 0 = 1 \\<br /> A = 1 \\<br /> y&#039;(t) = \frac{-1}{5}e^{\frac{-1}{5}t}(A\cos{\frac{7}{5}t} + B\sin{\frac{7}{5}t}) +<br /> e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} (\frac{-7}{5}A\sin{\frac{7}{5}t} + \frac{7}{5}B\cos{\frac{7}{5}t})<br />

We end up w/: B = 1/7

So...
<br /> y(t) = e^{\frac{-1}{5}t} \left(\cos \frac{7}{5}t + \frac{1}{7}\sin \frac{7}{5}t \right)

(I'm not sure why the LaTeX stuff is showing up in boxes like that; I've tried a few things but it's always coming up).

This answer's, apparently, wrong; I'm not sure why. Halp, please.
 
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##y(t) = c_1e^{\frac{-1 + 7i}{5} t} + c_2e^{\frac{-1 - 7i}{5} t} \\
= c_1e^{-\frac{t}{5}}(cos(\frac{7t}{5}) + isin(\frac{7t}{5})) + c_2e^{-\frac{t}{5}}(cos(\frac{7t}{5}) - isin(\frac{7t}{5}))##

Find y'.

Now use those initial conditions.
 
Wolfram Alpha's answer agrees with yours. It could be you're entering the answer incorrectly if it's graded by a computer. I expect, however, it's because the coefficient of y'' in your differential equation is wrong. It's suppose to be the mass, not the weight of the object.
 

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