TUTORIAL 1 + TUTORIAL 2 PROBLEMS

1. The equation relating current 𝑖𝑖 and charge 𝑞𝑞 for a circuit consisting of an inductance L,
capacitance C and a resistance R connected to a constant source of emf ξ is given by

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑞𝑞
𝐿𝐿 + + 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = ξ
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝐶𝐶

Write down the corresponding equation for a mechanical system, driven by constant force F,
consisting of a mass 𝑚𝑚, spring with spring constant 𝑘𝑘 and dashpot with drag coefficient γ in terms
of only displacement 𝑥𝑥.

2. Proteins gain speed due to collisions with water molecules, however their velocity persists only
for a very short time as subsequent collisions with water molecules rapidly randomize the protein’s
direction of travel. Given that average instantaneous speed of a 100 kDa protein is 8.6 m/s,
calculate the average distance that this protein covers before its speed is randomized by subsequent
collisions. Assume that drag coefficient for this protein is 60 pN⋅s/m

3. Find out the net drag coefficient of an assembly of N identical dashpots where they are (a)
connected in series (b) connected in parallel.

4. Consider a system consisting of a spring and dashpot in series as shown below in (A). The
stiffness or spring constant of the spring is k and drag coefficient of dashpot is γ. Initially both
spring and dashpot are at rest. Suppose a constant force F is abruptly applied to this system as at
t=0 and is maintained for t = τ as shown below in (B), and force is then abruptly removed (i.e. F=0
for t > τ ). Find out the expression for displacement x(t) of the system for t < τ, t = τ and for t > τ
(Note: Zero marks if calculations are not shown and answers are given with unexplained variables).

5. Consider a system consisting of a spring and dashpot in parallel as shown below in (A). The
stiffness or spring constant of the spring is k and drag coefficient of dashpot is γ. Initially both
spring and dashpot are at rest. Suppose a constant force F is abruptly applied to this system as at

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t=0 and is maintained for t = τ as shown below in (B), and force is abruptly removed thereafter
(i.e. F=0 for t > τ ). Find out the expression for displacement x(t) of the biomolecule for t ≤ τ and
for t > τ (Note: Zero marks if calculations are not shown and answers are given with unexplained
variables).

6. Consider a viscoelastic element shown below. 𝑘𝑘1 and 𝑘𝑘2 are spring constants of the springs,
and 𝛾𝛾1 and 𝛾𝛾2 are drag coefficients of the dashpots in the viscoelastic element.

The expression for displacement 𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡) of this viscoelastic element is given by following
expression when one end of this viscoelastic element is fixed to wall and a constant force F is
applied to other end at t=0.
𝛼𝛼2 𝛿𝛿2
𝐹𝐹𝛿𝛿1 𝐹𝐹 − 𝛼𝛼 𝐹𝐹
𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡) = + �1 − 𝑒𝑒 1 � + 𝛽𝛽
𝛽𝛽1 𝛼𝛼2 2

What are the values of 𝛼𝛼1 , 𝛽𝛽1 , 𝛼𝛼2 , 𝛽𝛽2 , 𝛿𝛿1 and 𝛿𝛿2 ?

7. Consider a viscoelastic element consisting of a spring and dashpot in parallel fixed to a wall as
shown below. The stiffness or spring constant of the spring is k and drag coefficient of dashpot is
γ. Initially both spring and dashpot are at rest.

(i) Find out the expression for displacement x(t) of this viscoelastic element if a constant force F
is applied to it at t=0.

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(ii) Suppose N identical viscoelastic elements as shown above are connected in series. One end of
this series combination of viscoelastic elements is fixed to wall and a constant force F is applied
to other end at t=0. Find out the expression for displacement x(t) of this series combination of
viscoelastic elements.
(iii) Suppose N identical viscoelastic elements as shown above are connected in parallel. One end
of this parallel combination of viscoelastic elements is fixed to wall and a constant force F is
applied to other end at t=0. Find out the expression for displacement x(t) of this parallel
combination of viscoelastic elements.

8. A microscopic circular disc-shape bacterium of radius r and negligible thickness is moving in a

fluid along z-axis with a constant velocity v. Suppose that drag force experienced by the bacterium
is proportional to the projection of the surface area of moving bacterium in x-y plane, and assume
that surface area of bacterium is not changed due to forces acting on it. Let 𝛾𝛾𝑆𝑆 be the drag
coefficient when bacterium is moving such that the angle between the normal to the bacterium
surface and z-axis is 00, and 𝛾𝛾𝑇𝑇 be the drag coefficient when bacterium is moving such that the
𝛾𝛾𝑆𝑆
angle between the normal to the bacterium surface and z-axis is 300. Calculate the ratio .
𝛾𝛾𝑇𝑇

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