Tuning Fork - Simple Harmonic Motion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the mathematical modeling of simple harmonic motion, specifically relating to a tuning fork vibrating between electromagnetic devices, such as a microphone and a detector. Participants explore the concepts of resonance, damping, and the ordinary differential equation (ODE) governing harmonic oscillators, as well as the implications for a lab report based on an experiment conducted with a tuning fork.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in understanding the mathematical aspects of resonance in relation to a tuning fork and requests clarification on the electromagnetic interactions involved.
  • Another participant explains the energy exchange in a tuning fork, comparing it to a simple pendulum and introducing the spring constant and stored energy equations.
  • A participant introduces the ordinary differential equation (ODE) for a harmonic oscillator, highlighting the terms related to mass, damping, and external force.
  • There is a follow-up questioning the derivation of the ODE and the inclusion of damping effects in the equation.
  • One participant notes that the tuning fork is not a forced oscillator and presents a solution for the ODE without external forcing, emphasizing the damping term.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the derivation of the ODE or the role of damping in the context of the tuning fork's motion. Multiple viewpoints and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made in the mathematical modeling, the dependence on definitions of terms like damping and resonance, and the complexity of the equations presented. Some mathematical steps and their implications are not fully explored.

r.a.c.
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This topic has proved itself to be a hard one in, in terms of looking it up online. I'm interested in simple harmonic motion, in specific that of a tuning fork vibrating between two electromagnetic devices, a microphone ad a detector.
My main interest in it is to write a lab report about an experiment I have conducted on a tuning fork.

I understand physically the notion of resonance (a frequency such that it pushes the fork always in just the right time to amplify it vibrations) but the mathematical side is somewhat difficult. So in terms of the electromagents in relation with the turning fork, can anyone please explain it to me in a bit more mathematical sense?

Also the effect of damping by placing a magnet in between the forks. Thanks.
 
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r.a.c. said:
I understand physically the notion of resonance (a frequency such that it pushes the fork always in just the right time to amplify it vibrations) but the mathematical side is somewhat difficult. So in terms of the electromagents in relation with the turning fork, can anyone please explain it to me in a bit more mathematical sense?
In a tuning fork, just like a simple pendulum, energy is being exchanged between motion and stored energy. In the case of the pendulum, the stored energy is gravitational: mgh. In the case of the tuning fork, it is like a spring where F = kx. The stored energy is: ½kx2, where k is the spring constant and x is displacement from equilibrium point.

Bob S
 
That much I know about the tuning fork. My point is the ODE of the harmonic oscillator. In fact we have the ODE
m\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + b\frac{dx}{dt} + kx = F cos(wt)

Which leads eventually (with damping to)
x = Ae^-^\gamma ^t cos(w_1 t + \theta) + \frac{Fsin(wt+ \theta _0)m}{[(w^2_0 - w^2)^2 +4\gamma^2 w^2]^1/2}
 
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I don't know why the Latex failed but anyway it is quite a complicated equation with a damping effect and the part without the damping. My question was how can you get to the ODE in the first and keep going and second how does the damping come in.
 
r.a.c. said:
That much I know about the tuning fork. My point is the ODE of the harmonic oscillator. In fact we have the ODE
m\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + b\frac{dx}{dt} + kx = F cos(wt)

Which leads eventually (with damping to)
x = Ae^-^\gamma ^t cos(w_1 t + \theta) + \frac{Fsin(wt+ \theta _0)m}{[(w^2_0 - w^2)^2 +4\gamma^2 w^2]^1/2}
The tuning fork is not a forced oscillator, so the solution is

x = Ae^-^\gamma ^t cos(w_1 t + \theta)

Bob S
 

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