UP 202: Intermediate Mechanics, Oscillations and Waves

Homework III

1. Write a programme to do successive iterations of the logistic map

Xn+1 = aXn (1 − Xn ).

Starting from the initial values X1 = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, carry on 50 iterations for
following values of a = 2.0, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.58. What can you conclude about
these cases?
2. Consider a horizontal beam of length L clamped at one end and having a
weight W hung at the other end. In the class, we have calculated the bending
of this beam by neglecting the weight of the beam. If the beam has weight w
per unit length, then find out the bending.
3. Consider a horizontal beam of length L supported at both ends, with a
weight W hanging in the middle, as shown in the figure below. Assuming w to
be the weight per unit length, calculate the bending of the beam and the value
of the depression at the central point.

4. Argue that the potential energy stored in a deformed elastic body is given
by Z
1X
W = Cijkleij ekl dV,
2
ijkl

where dV is the volume element over which integration is done and the other
symbols have usual meanings. Use this expression of energy to argue that
coefficients like Cxxxy having indices repeated odd number of times must be
zero.
5. Find out the relation between stress and strain tensors in terms of Young’s
modulus Y and Poisson ration σ. Show that
Y
Sxx = [(1 − σ)exx + σ(eyy + ezz )],
(1 + σ)(1 − 2σ)
whereas
Y
Sxy = exy .
2(1 + σ)
6. From the general relation between stress and strain tensors (last problem),
show that you can recover the simple relation
F ∆l
=Y
A l
for the stretching of a rod on the application of a force.