Differential equation approach to SHM, springs, and pendulums
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2
d2x
=
−kx
dt2d2x+ω02x=0
where ω0=k/m is natural angular frequency.
General Solution
x(t)=Acos(ω0t+ϕ)
or equivalently:
x(t)=C1cos(ω0t)+C2sin(ω0t)
where A is amplitude and ϕ is phase constant.
Velocity and Acceleration
v(t)=dtdx=−Aω0sin(ω0t+ϕ)
a(t)=dtdv=−Aω02cos(ω0t+ϕ)=−ω02x
Maximum velocity:vmax=Aω0
Maximum acceleration:amax=Aω02
Energy in SHM
Kinetic energy:KE=21mv2=21mA2ω02sin2(ωϕ)
Potential energy:PE=21kx2=21kA2cos2(ω0t+ϕ)
Total energy:E=KE+PE=21kA2=constant
(Using k=mω02)
Initial Conditions
Given x0=x(0) and v0=v(0):
A=x02+ω02v02
tanϕ=−ω0x0v0
Period and Frequency
Period:T=ω02π=2πkm
Frequency:f=T1=2πω0=2π1mk
Simple Pendulum
For small angles (sinθ≈θ):
dt2d2θ+Lgθ=0
ω0=Lg
T=2πgL
Physical Pendulum
Extended object rotating about pivot:
Torque: τ=−mgdsinθ≈−mgdθ
where d is distance from pivot to center of mass.
Idt2d2θ=−mgdθ
ω0=Imgd
T=2πmgdI
Torsional Pendulum
Restoring torque: τ=−κθ
where κ is torsional constant.
Idt2d2θ=−κθ
ω0=Iκ
Two-Body Oscillator
Two masses m1 and m2 connected by spring with constant k:
Reduced mass:μ=m1+m2m1m2
ω0=μk
System oscillates as if single mass μ attached to spring k.