The net force on the mass is given by Hooke's law: f = -kx,
where x is the extension of the spring beyond its equilibrium length. According
to Newton's second law the force can be equated to mass times acceration giving us the
second order DE,
mx" + kx = 0.
To solve, define w = (k/m)1/2 and
rewrite the DE as
x" + w2x = 0.
The complete solution of the DE, with two arbitrary constants, is
x(t) = A cos(w t) + B sin(w t).
The initial conditions (x(0)=x0 and x'(0)=0) require
that B = 0, and A = x0.
The constant w, characteristic of the system mass and force constant, is the angular frequency of the motion. The frequency in cycles per unit time is n = w/2p, and the period is T = 2p/w. Motion of this type, with amplitude given by the cosine (or the sine) is called harmonic. When the initial conditions are different, the solution can still be expressed as a cosine using the alternative parameterization x(t) = x0 cos(w t - f). This choice of parameters includes the phase angle f.
A physically different system
with an equivalent DE and analogous "motion" consists of a series electric
circuit contaning capacitance C and inductance L as shown in the figure.
In this, the charge on the capacitor, C, varies in time in the
same way as the displacement of the mass on a spring.
Suppose that, with the switch in the open position, the capacitor has charge Q0 and the current, I, is zero. Then, at time t=0, the switch is closed allowing charge to flow. Let the circuit have no resistance and find the capacitor charge Q(t) at later times.
The potential differences across circuit elements must sum to zero around the closed circuit. That across the inductance is L dI/dt and that across the capacitor is Q/C. Since I = dQ/dt we find the DE: LQ" + Q/C = 0. Make the substitution w2 = 1/LC so that the DE becomes Q" + w2 Q = 0. The complete solution is Q(t) = A cos(w t) + B sin(w t) or in a different parameterization Q(t) = C cos(wt - f). The initial conditions determine the arbitrary constants giving Q(t) = Q0 cos(w t).
This result is identical in form with that for the mass on a spring. Therefore the electrical system and the mechanical system are said to be analogous. The equivalence between them is exhibited in x ~ Q, m ~ L, k ~ 1/C. That is, displacement is equivalent to quantity of electrical charge, mass to inductance, and spring constant to the reciprocal of capacitance.
1. Show that the different parameterizations x(t) = A cos(w t) + B sin(w t) and x(t) = C cos(w t - f) are related by C = (A2 + B2)1/2 and f = tan-1(B/A).
2. Deduce the form of the DE for the electrical LC oscillator if resistance, R, is added to the series circuit. Only the ratios R/L=2k and 1/LC=w2 are significant for the DE. (a) To solve, introduce the integrating factor, Q(t) = u(t) exp(-kt). (b) Show that there are three cases with distinctly different DE: (i) w > k , (ii) w < k, and (iii) w = k. (c) Solve for Q(t) in this in each case. [Case (i) with Q(t) = e-kt C cos(at - f) is called the damped oscillator. Here a2 = w2 - k2, and C and f are arbitrary constants determined by initial conditions.]
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Created or up-dated 08/03/99
by R.D. Poshusta
