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Homework Assignment 1
Fall 2017
In class this week, we discussed the solution to the differential equation for a mass
on a spring. The force exerted by a spring is:
Fspring = − kx
where x is the distance that the spring is stretched or compressed from its equilibrium
point.
Using Newton’s Law, F = ma, we get a differential equation to be solved to determine
the position of the mass as a function of time, x(t).
d2 x d2 x k
ma = − kx m = − kx = − x
dt2 dt2 m
r
d2 x k
= − ω2x where ω=
dt2 m
Each form of the solution has two arbitrary constants that are determined by the
state of the system (the mass), x(0) and v(0), at the initial time, t = 0.
1
Problem 1
For the case of v(0) = 0, determine the constant B and C in terms of x(0).
Problem 2
For the case of x(0) = 0, determine the constant B and C in terms of v(0).
Problem 3
For the case of both x(0) and v(0) non zero, determine the constant B and C in terms
of x(0) and v(0).
dx(t)
For the above, you will want to find v(t) = using the fact that:
dt
d cos θ d sin θ
cos(0) = 1 sin(0) = 0 = − sin θ = cos θ
dθ dθ
Problem 4
For the case of v(0) = 0, determine the constant D and δ in terms of x(0).
Problem 5
For the case of x(0) = 0, determine the constant D and δ in terms of v(0).
Problem 6
For the case of both x(0) and v(0) non zero, determine the constant D and δ in terms
of x(0) and v(0).
Problem 7
Use the famous Euler relation: eiθ = cos θ + i sin θ
to derive a relationship between the real and imaginary parts of A and the constants
B and C.
Problem 8
Using the result from Problem 7), determine the values of the Re(A) and Im(A) in
terms of x(0) for the case of v(0) = 0
Problem 9
Using the result from Problem 7), determine the values of the Re(A) and Im(A) in
terms of v(0) for the case of x(0) = 0
Problem 10
Let’s assume that we have designed an ”anti-spring” that exerts a force F = +kx.
The differential equation for the motion of the mass would then be:
r
d2 x k
2
= + ω2x where ω=
dt m