Small oscillations problem work shown

This will give you the equation of motion for r, which should look like the equation of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator.
  • #1
johnq2k7
64
0
A point of mass slides without friction on a horizontal table at one end of a massless spring of natural length a and spring const k as shown in the figure below. The other end of the spring is attached to the table so it can rotate freely without friction. The spring is driven by a motor beneath the table so that the spring and mass are constrained to move around the origin with angular frequency w(ignore any bending of the spring and assume it always remains radially outward from the origin)

a.) Using Cartesian coordinates, write down the expressions for the kinetic energy of the system.

b.) Change to a polar coordinate system using
x= r*cos (wt)
y= r*sin(wt)
where w is the angular velocity of the mass, and express your eq for the KE as a func. of
these new co-ord. Give also expression for the PE and Langrangian of the sys. (in polar
co-ord)

c.) How many D.O.F do you have for this system? Name them. Note angular velocity w is given, and therefore is const.

d.) Calculate the eq. of motion for r using the Langrange eq. for this system. Is the radial motion of a simple harmonic oscillator?


some of my work for a previous problem:
View attachment SolutionsH3.doc






 
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  • #2
johnq2k7 said:
A point of mass slides without friction on a horizontal table at one end of a massless spring of natural length a and spring const k as shown in the figure below. The other end of the spring is attached to the table so it can rotate freely without friction. The spring is driven by a motor beneath the table so that the spring and mass are constrained to move around the origin with angular frequency w(ignore any bending of the spring and assume it always remains radially outward from the origin)

a.) Using Cartesian coordinates, write down the expressions for the kinetic energy of the system.

b.) Change to a polar coordinate system using
x= r*cos (wt)
y= r*sin(wt)
where w is the angular velocity of the mass, and express your eq for the KE as a func. of
these new co-ord. Give also expression for the PE and Langrangian of the sys. (in polar
co-ord)

c.) How many D.O.F do you have for this system? Name them. Note angular velocity w is given, and therefore is const.

d.) Calculate the eq. of motion for r using the Langrange eq. for this system. Is the radial motion of a simple harmonic oscillator?


some of my work for a previous problem:
View attachment 21424

How about showing your work on *this* problem.
 
  • #3
my work:

for a.) let v(t)= ( x(t), y(t), z(t))
v'(t)= (x'(t),y'(t),z'(t)
therefore T= 1/2*m*[(x'(t)^2 + y'(t)^2 + z'(t)^2]
I'm not sure if this is correct

for b.) if x= r*cost(wt) and y= r sin(wt) where w is angular velocity

need help here

langrangian is equal to T-U

for c.) need help i believe it's 3 degrees of freedom

d. need help
 
  • #4
johnq2k7 said:
my work:

for a.) let v(t)= ( x(t), y(t), z(t))
v'(t)= (x'(t),y'(t),z'(t)
therefore T= 1/2*m*[(x'(t)^2 + y'(t)^2 + z'(t)^2]
I'm not sure if this is correct

If the particle is constrained to exist on a horizontal table, shouldn't [itex]z=\dot{z}=0[/itex]? Then you should get

[tex]
T=\frac{m}{2}\left(\dot{x}^2+\dot{y}^2\right)
[/tex]

johnq2k7 said:
for b.) if x= r*cost(wt) and y= r sin(wt) where w is angular velocity

need help here

You will need to take the time derivatives of [itex]x[/itex] and [itex]y[/itex] in their polar form and then plug your given [itex]\dot{x}[/itex] and [itex]\dot{y}[/itex] into the kinetic energy above and reduce it as much as possible (remember your trigonometry and that [itex]\frac{d}{dt}(\cos\theta)=-\sin\theta\frac{d\theta}{dt}[/itex])


johnq2k7 said:
for c.) need help i believe it's 3 degrees of freedom

Why would it be 3 degrees of freedom? The point mass exists only on the horizontal surface, so [tex]z=0[/itex]. This looks like it should be less than 3.

johnq2k7 said:
d. need help

Well you have a conservative force, the spring. So then the potential is [itex]V=\frac{1}{2}kr^2[/itex]. Then subtract this from the polar kinetic energy from part (b), there is your Lagrangian. After that, you can use your Euler-Lagrange equations of motion:

[tex]
\frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial\dot{q}}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial q}=0
[/tex]
 

FAQ: Small oscillations problem work shown

What is the small oscillations problem?

The small oscillations problem is a classic problem in physics that involves studying the behavior of a system that is undergoing small periodic oscillations around an equilibrium point. This problem is typically solved using techniques from classical mechanics.

What does "work shown" mean in the context of the small oscillations problem?

"Work shown" refers to the process of solving the small oscillations problem by showing all the steps and calculations involved. This is important for understanding the underlying principles and assumptions used in the solution.

Why is the small oscillations problem important?

The small oscillations problem is important because it is a fundamental problem in physics that helps us understand the behavior of various systems, such as pendulums, springs, and atoms. It also serves as the basis for more complex problems in physics.

What are some common applications of the small oscillations problem?

The small oscillations problem has many practical applications, such as in designing and analyzing mechanical systems, understanding the behavior of electronic circuits, and studying the dynamics of chemical reactions. It is also used in fields like astronomy, seismology, and engineering.

Is there a general solution to the small oscillations problem?

Yes, there is a general solution to the small oscillations problem that can be applied to a wide range of systems. This solution involves using mathematical techniques, such as differential equations and energy methods, to determine the behavior of the system under small oscillations.

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