- #1
end3r7
- 171
- 0
Homework Statement
Show that the local maximum or minimum for the displacement of an underdamped oscillation does not occur halfway between the times at which the mass passes its equilibrium point.
Homework Equations
[tex]x = e^{-\frac{ct}{2m}}(A cos(wt) + B sin(wt))[/tex]
[tex]x = K e^{-\frac{ct}{2m}} sin(wt + P)[/tex]
[tex]T = \frac{2\pi}{w}[/tex]
w = angular frequency = [tex]\frac{\sqrt{4mk - c^2}}{2m}[/tex]
Because the system is underdamped, 4mk > c^2
T = period
The Attempt at a Solution
I said [tex]sin(wt + P)[/tex] attains its maximum when [tex]wt + P = (4k + 1)\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex] and min when [tex]wt + P = (2k + 1)\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
Likewise, it crosses the equilibrium when [tex]wt + P = k\pi[/tex].
Thus the period for a pass by equilibrium is simply [tex]\frac{pi}{w}[/tex]
So I did [tex]k\pi + \frac{\pi}{2w} = (2k + \frac{1}{w})\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex]
But this does cross a min if w = 1... where did I go wrong?
Last edited: