OSILATOR
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0 {a) At what point (2, yo) is the particle in stable equilibrium? (b) Give the Lagrangian appropriate for small oscillations about this equilibrium position,so Probleme 6 Sofutions on Meckamcs (c) What are the normal frequencies of vibration in (b)7 (Cobumbia) Solution: (a) A point where @V/Ox = 0, AV/Oy =0, PV/B2? > 0, d*V/ay" > 0 and SU cael + 2K ant + SY cen > 0 is « point of stable equilibrium. For the given potential we find two such povinta, (57510) and (—y/E7%), 0). (b) V is o minimum at a point of stable equilibrium (rp, yp). At = neighboring point (z,y), we have, to second order of the small qualities =~ 20, ¥~ do, View) = V(zoote) + 5 () (2-20) er +2( Foe), — mo) = wo) + ()_.° MS =o dfe(-- VE) 42] for the equilibrium point (\/3*,0). Translate the coordinate systein to the new origin (v0): vast ven and take the mew origin as the reference level for potential energy. Then Viz’) = 3*(=7+ 3407) and the Lagrangian is bavi date + 4) — te(22+ ity) .Analytical Mechanica 03 ‘Similarly for the other point of equilibrium, we set ‘and obtain the same Lagrangian, but with 2”, y replacing #,1/, (c) The secular equation (Vv -w"7)=0, %k-mt oo |g 0 met ‘has positive roots «V2 o-/% nay, wa fE. ‘These are the normal angular frequencies for small oscillations of the system, about either of the points of equilibrium. 2087 A negligibly thin piece of metal of mass m in the shape of a square ‘hangs from two identical springs at two corners as shown in Fig. 2.58. The ‘springs can move only in the vertical plane. Calculate the frequencies of vibration of the normal-modes of small amplitude oscillations, (UG, Berkeley) oO FF Fig. 2.88. Pig. 259,ot Problema & Solutions on Mechanics Solution: Let = be the vertical displacement of the center of mass of the square from its equililrium position and @ the angle of rotation of the square in the vertical plane containing the springs as shown in Fig. 2.59. The square has moment of inertial }yns?, s being the length of each side of the square. For stall 0, the extensions of the springs are x4 420 and x - 40. Hence the kinetk: and potential energies are ac std? T gmat + ge, 1 it 1\? vn-moes te[(es da)'s(-0)'] where & is the spring constant, taking the potential reference level at the equilibrium position, and the Lagrangian is Lef-V= frst + Shred + mgr 4 (27 + je?) ‘Lagrange's equations Give mit + 2ke — mg = 0, 1 6 Lee 2’ = 2 ~ Gf and we can write the finst equation as mat + ie o. mi! + 2ke’ = 0. ‘Thus 2! and @ are the normal coordinates of the system with the come sponding normal angular frequencies 2k Me wey wavAnaiytionl Mecharsicn tas 2058 Avsmall sphere, mass m and radius r, hangs like a pendulum between two plates of a capacitor, as shown in Fig. 2.60, from an insulating rod of length J. The plates are grounded and the potential of the sphere is V. 2ef-n) 1 Pig. 2.60, ‘The position of the sphere is displaced by an amount Ax. Calculate the frequency of small oscillations and speci fy for what conditions of the voltage V such oscillations occur. Make reasonable spproximations ta simplify the calculation. (UG, Berkeley) Solution: ‘We assume that the mass of the insulating rod and the radius of the phere are very small and can be neglected. The charge on the sphere is qa dmegrV , ee being the permittivity of free space. According to the method of images, ‘the forces between the sphere and the plates of the capacitor are the same as those between the charges on the sphere and its images symmetrically located at positions as shown in Fig, 2.60. Take z-axis along the horizontal with origin at the equilibrium position, The kinetic and potential energies of the aystem are respectively5068 Problems & Sefstions on Mechanics T= pn? ' 1 iat ee] teat me) “gga + all — cond). s(8)-% given mo — 222 + gid = o. Hence the angular frequency of small oscillations is 4g ot 9 Bareor” SoS ‘The condition for such oscillations to take place is that w be real, ie. gb Es y Sareortl *---4---. seen — Note that the above solution is only approximate since the images themselves will produce more images, some of which are shown in Fig. 2.61, which also have to be taken into account. Thus the potential due to electrostatic interactions is ~-t_F . SE lee 1 2 Gs * ia 1jha an” Ind az’ wD {oy l+ cel - ma} zs) * aoa] : i — o= Dianna" =) aie ‘This would give 9 _ GareorVID v=y? ee and the condition for oscillationsSem Protierna & Solutions on Mechansce gl MSV Gimegra * ‘The A series converges rapidly, With maximum n = 3, § = 1.05 and the third decimal remains unchanged when more terms are added. As o> 4 = 0.98, the two-image calculation gives a good approximation. 2059 A smooth uniform circular hoop of mass M and radius a swings in @ vertical plane about = point O at which it is freely hinged to a fixed support. A bead 8 of mass m slides without friction on the hoop. Denote the inclination OC (where C is the center of the hoop) to the downward vertical by ip. (a) Find the equations of motion for # and y. () Find the characteristic frequencies and normal-modes for small ‘encillations about the position of stable equilibrium. (Chicago) ‘Solution: Pig. 2.82 (a) The moment of inertia of the hoop about O is I= Ma? + Ma? = 2Ma? . Use coordinates as shown in Fig. 2.62. The coordinates and velocity of the bead are respectively {asin d + asin y,—acos 4 —aconp), (afcosd + apcos.p,aé sin? +apsin yg)Analytica! Mechanics we ‘The Lagrangian of the system is beT-V= Ma?é? + Lmalld? + 9? + 28jpcon(@ — i)] + Mga coat + mga(cos® + cosy) = JOM + m)a%6? + dmna?g? + madzcos(@ 2) + (M + m)gacosd + mgacony - Lagrange’s equations give (2M + mjad + magcos(@ — y) + mad? sin(d — y) + (M+ m)gaind = 0, ad cos(9 — p) + ap ~ af sin(@ - yp) + gaing =O. (b) For small oscillations, retaining terms up to second order in the small quantities 8, 9.6.3. we have from the above é é+(a2)% aM +m b+ fere-o For a solution of the type 8 = Aexp(iwt), yp = Bexp(iwt), the above 2 2 -wa+ (f-o")B=0, Por nonzero solutions the determinant of the coefficients must vanish, Thus ne - ae (asf) a whose two positive roots0 Problems & Soteftons on Mechanics ‘are the characteristic angular frequencies of the system for small oscilla- tions. As j= fy — 1, we have for w =, 9 = 1 and the normal-mode (), for w= un, fl = — fhe and the sormalmode (dea). 2060 A wnall body of mass m and charge q is constrained to move without friction om the interior of a cone of opening angle 2a, A charge ~q is fixed at the apex of the cone as shown in Fig. 2.63. There is no gravity. Pind the frequency of small oscillations about equilibrium trajectorkes of the moving body in terms of o, the equilibrium angular velocity of the body around the inside of the cone, Assume » cso that radiation is negligible. (UC, Berkeley) Solution: Use coordinates as shown in Fig. 2.63. In the Cartesian system, m has coordinates (rcos ip, rsiny, 2), or, a8 z = redta, (roosp,rsin g, root a), and velocity (Foon yp — rypsing, rainy + pcos y,Peota) . ‘The Lagrangian is then = T= V mde 29) + sine Labo Vm s(t 4 hy + Peat’ bar = 1 n(?? cxct a + 2) g@sina = mr exc? a + rp) + ——testa —mrgt+ TEES 0, mrig= J (oonstam) , or, combining the above, mPeata- 54 TERE <0. a For the equilibrium trajectory, #m0, Fer P= HO. the above becomes. PF _ gina iarh ~ are0re For small oscillations about equilibrium, let r= ra+€, where € «ro. ‘Then Hence the angular frequency for small oscillations is @sin® a w= deeqney = RTez Problems Solutions on Mechanica 2061 A flywheel of moment of Inertia / rotates about its center in « horizontal plane. A mas m can slide freely along one of the spokes and is attached to the center of the wheel by « spring of natural length | and force constant & as shown in Fig. 2.64. (a) Find an expression for the energy of this system in terms of r, +, and the angular momentum J, (b) Suppose the flywheel initially has a constant angular velocity Ny ‘and the spring has a steady extension r = ro. Use the result. of part (a) ‘to determine the relation between % and ry and the frequency of small ‘ovcillagions about this initial configuration. (MIT) Fly, 268 Solution: (a) Let r be the distance of m from the center and é the angular velocity of the flywheel at time ¢. ‘The systom has angular momentum d= tbs meld and energy _lge. 4 lage? TV = 518? + pma(e? +196) + Sate yy fag = 1 Aye? - are teAnalytical Mechanace os (b) The Lagrangian of the rystern is 1 1 1 1 beT- Vm Ble + gmt? + prt - ghtr— 0". Lagrangy's equations a(S a (5%) ~ a mF — mf? 4 k(r— i) = 0, Q) (24 mr?)é = constant = J, or, combining the two, Sad Tia Sa +kir— 2) Initially, F< 0, r = ro, @ = M, J = (1 + mrJ)Mo. For small oscillations about this equilibrium configuration, let r= ro +p, where p< ra. As ror J* miro + p)d? 4 met ~ 7 F med + Imroae mad p_ Amrep "UF a 724) mrp J® 1 (SES) 2] (+ mr}? T4mre ) ro. i rod? * ema (Fee) mate Toa Mme = Aire 0 Eq, (2) becomes mF — =0. @ e+ [+ Feb) ome ‘Therefore, provided that fis such that (asap aact.,oo Problems € Solutions on Mechanics ‘the system will oscillate about the initial configuration with angular fre- quency ‘era — 0 (Fes after a small perturbation. Note that Eq. (1) implies Le. ro itself ls related to Mo. ‘Three point-like masses (two of them equal) and the massless springs (constant AC) connecting them are constrained to move in a frictionless tube of radins A. This system is in gravitational field (g) ax shown in Fig. 2.65. ‘The springs are of zero length st equilibrium and the masses may move through one another, Using Lagrangian methods, find the normal-modes ‘of small vibration about the pasition of equilibrium of this system and describe each of the modes, (UC, Berkeley) 1 21 Ri, a ™ of” t Pig. 2.65, Fig. 2.66. Use Cartesian coordinates (€,n) as shown in Fig, 2.66. The ith mass has coordinates (Asin, R(1 —comd,)). Por small oscillations these can be approcimated ax (f0,, } ROP), or (a, 4x7) with x, = (0. Then, neglectingAnalytical Mechanics eos terms of orders greater than two of the small quantities =;,£;, we have for the kinetic and potential energies & 1 ngs 4 Ins} z gm + gMel+ yu v= pie wy)? + 3 Kx =m)" + pncet +204 jats} , and the Lagrangian Eos fe 1 L= Amat + Latah + Lad = li (x+32) (t+ ed 4+ 3 (x + 58) ai K(x, +225)| Lagrange's equations give me, + (K+ 2)a, ~Key=0, My + (2m +42) 25— Kee +2:)=0, mity + (K+ SE) ay - Kea 0, Letting aye Ag im the above we obtain the matrix equation K+ mo? -K 0 “is K 2K + Ma Mu? -K )()- 0 x K+ - mat) \Aa a) For solutions in which not all Aj are vero, we require K+ 5f- mi? -K o -K 2K + Ae - Mu? -K =0, 0 -K Keg — mit whose three non-negative roots are the angular frequencies of the normal- modes of the system:son Probleme @ Sohutons on Mechantce Equation (1) gives a A ay (2+ BP ata?) Ay + Kay = 0. ‘These equations give for wy: Aa = —Ar, Az = 0; for un: By = By, 2 negative: foruy: Cy=C, 52 = positive. Hence the three corresponding normal-modes are Ay a CQ o |, Bi}. Cy ~Ay ay CQ for ay, wa, wa respectively, where loom i 1 1 "= (3- iV aae* ma a | 1 Ti 1 G= iE B myst aig an |. ‘The three normal modes are depicted in Fig. 2.67. wm oe eRe oT ad % oeAnalytical Mechanica ar 2003, In the theory of small oscillations one frequently encounters Lagrangian of the form L = T'— V, where " N T= Peat, V= D abow “rt it ‘The matrices A = (ay) and B= (t;) are real and symmetric. {(a) Prove that A is positive definite, ic xt Ax 3 for an arbitrary column matrix x. Prove that in general the eigenvalues of such a matrix are greater than or equal to zero. Show that we need not be concemed with zero eigenvalues. (b) Prove the existence of the matrices A*4 {c) Introduce new coordinates 6; by i a= D(A 188, ors where $ is an Nx N matrix. Show that Scan be chosen so that A and B are diagonalized. Interpret the diagonal elements of the transformed B. (SUNY, Buffalo) ‘Solution: (a) By definition, =} 5o matzo ° in Cartesian coordinates. After «linear transformation Be = Ta (TGs Nd it becomes: T= 3 dats» a- Proibiems # Sotutions on Mechanics but is still 20, In matrix form, T=q'aq, rn de 4=|- in and the dagger denotes its transpose matrix. As the velocities £1,42,..- and hence the generalized velocities ¢1,¢),... are arbitrary, we have T=x!Ax>0 for an arbitrary column matrix x. That is, A is positive definite. Suppose x, is an eigenvector of A with eigenvalue A. By definition, Axy = Apr y » where A, lv n real number as A. is symmetrical and real, ‘Then Ax, abate = Ae Ay ay As this is greater or equal to zero as shown above, the eigenvalues A, > 0. IPA, = 0, there is m0 oscillation for the corresponding mode, which then does not concern us. The vibrational degrees of freedom are simply reduced by one. (b) For the matrices A“4 to exist we require that det |A| > 0. A real symmetrize matrix can be diaganalized by an orthogonal matrix S, ‘Le. one for which 8°S = J, the unit matrix: S'AS=A, where A is a diagonal matrix elements Aj; = Avé.;. Writing, we have w [AllS*|[S| = [AS] =|A\= [TA > 0Amalytical Mechanic oom by the result of (a) (any zero A has been eliminated). Hence A*4 exists. (¢) Introduce new coordinates 4; by " a= Sa 18)8 =i where $ which dingonalizes A is orthogonal. Consider T=q'Aqe (A> isé)tAa- ise = étstia“dytaanise As Ais real symmetric, A! = A and att =catyt aad, the above becomes T =6's!s@ = é!le. Similarly V =q'Bq=a's'a-tBA-ise . As A.B are roal symmetric, (Avdpand)t = (acd) Bt a> aipa-t. A~4BACS is real symmetric and can be diagonalized by the orthogonal matrix S. We therefore have x x r=)8. v=)oaF. jst = where By are the diagonal elements of the diagonalized matrix of A-HBAH, Le. (S'A“IBA“HS)}y = Byby ‘The Lagrangian is ” b=T-v = 576} Bie) = and Lagrange's equations0 Problems & Salutions on Mechanics + BG =0 91,2... Hence 8, are the squares of the normal angular frequencies w of the system. 2064 A fiyball governor consists of two masses m connected to arms of length Cand & mast M ax shown in Pig. 2.68 The amembly in constrained to state around a shaft an which the mass M can slide up and down without fiction. Neglect the mass of the arms, air friction, and assume that the diameter of the mass M is small. Suppose first that the shaft is constrained to rotate at am angular velocity wo. (a) Caleulate the equilibrium height of the mass M. (b) Calculate the frequency of small oscillations around this value Suppose the shaft is now allowed to rotate freely. (c) Does the frequency of small oscillation change? If so, calculate the few value, (Princton ) ‘Solution: (a) Use = rotating coordinate frame with the a-axis in the plane of the governor arms ax shown in Fig. 2.68. In this frame the musson mm and M have coordinates (—Jxin#,0,—Icos@), (Isin@,0,—dcoa 8}, (0,0, ~2icas@)Analytical Mechanica a respectively. In a fixed coordinate frame with the same origin and 2-axis, the velocity is given by i = #+t%o xr, where ws = (0,0,an). Hence the cor- velocities are (—I6cos6, lui sin @, isin é), (J8 cos 8, lum sin 4, tain 8), (0,0,-210sin#), Thus the kinetic energy, potential enengy and Lagrangian of the system are respectively Tm ml? sin? 8+ ltd? + 278? sin? O V = —2mgl cond — 2M leon , Le T—V = mfug sin’ 6+ mie + 2MC8 sin? # + 2(M + m)gloosé - Lagrange's equation d@d (aL aE Lo at @ 7 then gives 2(mm + 2M sin? 6d + 216" sin 28 — laid sin 26 + 2(m + M)gsing =O. At equilibrium, § = 0, # = 0, @ = and the above becomes mila} sin 20 = 2mm + Mg ain By . a) ‘Solving for 9 we obtain two equilibrium positions: @ & =0, (i) cond = ‘The distances of the mass M at the two equilibrium positions from the top of the shaft are respectively (i) YeosGy = 21, (ii) Mend = eee (m+M)o =e (b) When @% = 0, the governor collapses and there is no oscillation. Consider the equilibrium given by (il). Let # = @~ Go, then @ = @. For small oscillations, 6” <€: Bo, fin 6 rs windy + @ cosy , in 20 cs sin 28, + 20 com 2H,az Probleme & Solutions on Mechanica ‘The equation of motion becomes, retaining only first order terms of the small quantities 6, #, # and taking account of (1), (m+ 2M sin? di + [(m + M)goos dh — miu cos 26)]4 = 0. Hence the oscillation frequency is ym a, [ee Macon te — mila con 285 on (im + 2 ain? Oy) . {c) One would expect the oscillation frequency to be different since the angular velocity wy in the above is arbitrary. Let be the angle of rotation about the shaft, Putting w = in the Lagrangian we have L= mig" sin? 9 + mit + 2M PEF sin” 6 + 2m + M) gl cost - ‘Lagrange’s equations give gain? @=c — (mcomstant) , ‘2(m + 2M sin” Oi + 2M 16" sin 28 — mip? sin 204+ 2(m + M)osin® =O , which combine to give (m+ 2M win? ytd 4 Mid? sin 28 me Se + (m+ M)gaind 0. (2) At equilibrium, # = 0,0 = 0 and @ = @, which is given. by rate Sage = (emt Basin dy « ‘For sinall oscillations about Op, bet @ = @ + @, where # << dy, As cose cosy — # sim By mic 8 eee ss mle? 550 (1 — @ tan ba — 34° cot Bo) Sxe- = (m+ Masi [1 ~ (ese ) ‘|. Eq. (2) becomes (om + 2M sin? Op)id + (m+ Mg =e Oly =o.Analytical Mechanics aa Hence the frequency of small oscillations is pa, [Cee Mal + Beas?) FeV (ms IM sin? Oy jleos By | 2068 ‘A particle of mass M moves along the z-axis under the influence of the potential energy V(z) = -Kzexp(—az), where K and a are positive constants, Find the equilibrium position and the period of small oscillations about this equilibriuen position. Consider also the cases where K’ and/or a are negative. (Princeton) Solution: Expand the potential near a point zo: av 1 (av Viz} = vi eae i = a () ons (F) n+} (Fe )e Fo) For xp to be an equilibrium position, (3), = K (az —1)e-™ = 0, 1 we==- a ev wail (3a), -*e azges = >a, the equilibrium is stable, Let 1 (ee-mo2-t and take xq as the reference level of potential energy. Then the potential okie a K ve -3 (Ge) 0° Se.a Problema & Solutions om Mechamtce ‘The Lagrangian is then =r-va=lwe —%*. L=T-V gMe z= Lagrange's equation yields Mir tk eno. ‘This shows that the angular frequency of small oscillations about the ‘equilibrium position is and the period is If both a and A are negative, then aX is positive and the abowe results still hold. Ef only one of a, is megative then Pv (& a which means that the potential at equilibrium is a maximum and the equilibrium is unstable. Hence no oscillation occurs. ‘This can also be seen from the equation of motion, which would give am imaginary 2066 A particle of mass m movés under gravity on a smooth surface the ‘ion of which is 2 = x? + y? — zy, the axis being vertical, pointing ‘upwards. (a) Pind the equations of motion of the particle. (>) Find the frequencies of the normal-modes for small oxcillations about the position of stable equilibrium,Analytical Mechanics as (c) If the particle is displaced from equilibrium slightly and then re leased, what must be the ratio of the 2 and y displacements to guarantee that only the higher frequency normal-mode is excited? (Wisconsin) Solution: (a) Ax e-F 4p, 2 = 2rd + lpi — ty — sy = F(22—y) + H—2)- ‘The Lagrangian is b=T-¥ = pit + toe =u)? + a7 (Qw~2)* + 2ewl2e — y)(2y -2)] —mg(z? +4" —ay) . Slab alae — yi + Hee - WQ—2)) = 22" 22 — 9) — Ply ~ 2) + 28424 — =) — 2412-9) —2ee tay, Soli + ily —=)* + 2(22 99029 — 29) = 2)8(2y— =) —$7(2a — v) + 2en(2e — v)~ S904 —=)— Boy + oF (b) As & molt —v), 5 = motty -2) equilibrium occurs at the origin (0,0). For small oscillations about: the origin, z,y,2,y are small quantities and the equations of motion reduce to #4 2g9r—gy=0, P+ 2oy—ge=0.on Problems @ Sobations on Mechamice Considering a solution of the type Baro, yy, we find the secular equation ad 2g 88|— Wy 44) =o Its position roots we a= Ip aré the angular frequencies of the normal-modes of the system, Note that 85 Wy, Wy are real the equilibrium is stable. (c) As bow eo . for the higher frequency mode to be excited we require # = —1. Hence the initial displacements of x and y must be equal in magmitudé and opposite in sign. Note that under this condition the lower frequency mode, which requires yo/zo = 1, is not excited. 2067 A rigid structure consists of three massless rods joined at 4 point attached to two point mames (each of maai m) as shown in Fig. 2.69, with AB = BC = L, BD = |, the angle ABD = DBC = 6. The rigid system is supported at the point D and rocks back and forth with a small amplitude of oscillation. What is the oscillation frequency? What is the limit on I for stable oscillations? (CUSPEA) Solution: ‘The structure oscillates in « vertical plane, Take it as the zy-plané ae shown in Fig. 2.70 with the origin at the point of suppart D and the yaxis vertically upwards, We have AD = CD = b= V1? +P — 2omeé ,6iT Fig. 2.70, and the angles between AD and CD with the vertical area +e, a —@ reapectively, where o = O+ ¥, ¥ being given by ot snd ~ sing” ‘The masses m,,1™mq have coordinates ( and velocities (-bpoosta + 2), bpsin(a + )}, (bp cos(a ~ ¢), —besinfa — )) respectively. Thus the Lagrangian is fear +e), —beos(a + g)), (bsin(a — yp), ~bcox{a = y))es Probleme & Sotcons os Mechanics L=T— V = mb? p? + mgbloosla + v) + cos(a — |. Lagrange’s equation 2(2 ~ZE~o mb) + mgblsin(a +g) — sin(a — y)| = O. For stall oscillations, yt: « and sin(a +p) = sina + peosa , so the equation of motion reduces to then gives bf + pgcosa =O, giving the angular frequency as w= jee b con a = con(? + 9) = con Boon y — sin @ sin y 7 i (ve Paro ene - tain?) = jen — 0), we have _ g(Lost —1) “TFs —Bhicost Since ed = mgbjcos(a: + ¢) + cos(a — ¢)] = 2mgh cosa at the equilibrium position y = 0, oscillations are stable if cosa > 0. This requires that Lod -1>0, or < Lee