Waves and Oscillations

Tutorial 5

Question 1

Two simple pendulums, each of length 0.3 m and 0.95 kg, are coupled by attaching a light, hori-
zontal spring of spring constant k = 1.50 N/m to the masses.

(a) Determine the frequencies of the two normal modes.

(b) One of the pendulums is held at a small distance away from its equilibrium position while the
other pendulum is held at its equilibrium position. The two pendulums are then released simul-
taneously. Show that after a time of approximately 12 s the amplitude of oscillation of the first
pendulum will become equal to zero momentarily. For this, use the expressions for the normal
mode coordinates from your lecture notes:

1
xa = (C1 cos(ω1 t) + C2 cos(ω2 t))
2
1
xb = (C1 cos(ω2 t) − C2 cos(ω2 t))
2

Question 2

Consider the example of two identical masses connected by three identical springs as shown in
Figure below. Combine the equations of motion of the two masses to obtain a pair of equations of
the form
 q¨1 + ω12 q1 = 0
q¨2 + ω22 q2 = 0

and hence obtain the normal coordinates q1 and q2 and the respective normal frequencies ω1 and ω2 .

Question 3

(a) Two equal masses m, are attached to two opposing walls by two identical springs of spring
constant 2k and coupled by a third spring of spring constant k (as illustrated in the Figure above).

By explicit consideration of the forces on each mass show that the equations of motion of the two
masses are:

mẍ = −3kx + ky
mÿ = −3ky + kx

(b)
(i) Explain how to excite the system to vibrate in each of the two normal modes. (ii) Describe
the motion of the masses in the two normal modes. (iii) Explain why the low-frequency mode is
independent of the coupling spring.
(c) Imagine the left mass is initially held in its equilibrium position (x = 0) while the other mass
is moved some amount y0 to the right. The masses are then releases from rest.
(i) Describe the salient features of the subsequent motion with particular reference to the exchange
of energy between the two masses. [2 marks]
(ii) Draw sketches of x(t) and y(t) to illustrate your description of the exchange process. Show in
your sketches the time it takes for the right mass to come to rest.
(d) Calling kc the constant of the middle spring, and k the constantq of the twoqexternal springs,
k k+2kc
show that the two normal mode frequencies ω0 and ω1 are: ω0 = m and ω1 = m .

Question 4

Consider the same setup of strings as above.

If the right mass is clamped at its equilibrium position and the left mass is set in oscillation, the
angular frequency of the left mass is ωL . Similarly, if the left mass is clamped at its equilibrium
position and the right mass is set in oscillation, the angular frequency of the right mass is ωR .

With both masses free to oscillate the two normal mode frequencies are ω0 and ω1 .
q q
Recall from your notes that ω0 = m k
and ω1 = k+2k m , where m is the mass of each of the two
c

masses, kc is the spring constant for the coupling constant and k is the spring constant for the
other two springs.

The angular frequencies of the system obey the following rule:

ωL2 + ωR
2
= ω02 + ω12

(a) By consideration of the forced involved, and with a full explanation of your method, prove the
above relationship.
(b) If the frequency of the system with the right mass clamped is 2.1 s−1 , and the frequency of
the in-phase normal mode is 1.17 s−1 , determine the frequency of the other normal mode of the
system.