Applications of Linear Differential equations

Mass-spring system
 Contents

Mass-spring system

1. Free Vibrations: Undamped

2. Free Vibrations: Damped
3. Forced Vibrations: Undamped
4. Forced Vibrations: Damped
Mass-spring system
Forces acting on the mass

Net force acting on the mass

From Newton’s Second Law of Motion

For our spring-mass system

 1. Undamped Free Vibrations

no damping no external force

(particular solutions)

(general solution)
A and B are arbitary constants determined from initial
conditions
1. Undamped Free Vibrations

Period of motion

Natural frequency of the vibration

Amplitude (constant in time)

 2. Damped Free Vibrations

no external force

Auxiliary equation is
 2. Damped Free Vibrations

Solutions to auxiliary equation are:

over damped
critically damped

Oscillatory or under damped

3. Forced Vibrations (Undamped)

Periodic external force:

no damping
 4. Forced Vibrations (damped)

If the external force F(t) is applied and damping force

is present then equation of motion of the spring is
A mass of 2 kg is suspended from a spring with a known spring
constant of 10 N/m and allowed to come to rest. It is then set in
motion by giving it an initial velocity of 150 cm/sec. Find an
expression for the motion of the mass, assuming no air resistance.

Solution:
Since there is no externally applied force on the mass, F(t) = 0.
Since there is no resistance from the surrounding medium, c = 0.
Given that m = 2kg, k = 10 N/m.
The equation of motion of the spring is
 ..CONTINUED

Roots of the auxiliary equation are

Solution is

At t = 0, the mass is at equilibrium position.

i.e., y(0) =0.
Also,
Applying these conditions, we find that c1 =0, c2 = 0.6708
Hence, solution is
A body weighing 20 Kg is hung from a spring. A pull of
40 Kg weight will stretch the spring to 10 cm. The body
is pulled down to 20 cm. below the static equilibrium
position and then released. Find the displacement of the
body from its equilibrium position at time ‘t’ seconds
and the period of oscillation.

Solution:
The equation of motion of the spring is

Weight = 20 Kg => mg = 20 => m = 20/(9.8)

40 Kg weight stretches the spring to 10 cm i.e. 0.1 m
40 = k (0.1) => k = 400 kg/m
Hence k/m = 196
..CONTINUED
Equation of motion is
y" + 196 y = 0
Roots of the auxiliary equation are: ± 14i
Hence y(t) = A cos 14t + B sin 14t
When t = 0, y = 20cm = 0.2m
and v = y' = 0.
From these initial conditions, A = 0.2 and B = 0.
Therefore y(t) = 0.2 cos 14t
Period of oscillation = 2π/µ = 2π/14 = π/7
(where µ2 = k/m)
A 10 kg mass is attached to a spring, stretching it 0.7 m from
its natural length. The mass is started in motion from the
equilibrium position with an initial velocity of 1 m/sec in the
upward direction. Find the subsequent motion, if the force
due to air resistance is 90 N.
Solution:
Since g = 9.8 m/ sec2, m = 10kg; w = mg = 98 N and c = 90.
Also w = ke  k = w/e = 140N/m.
Since there is no external force, the equation of motion of the
spring is
 ..CONTINUED

Roots of the auxiliary equation are - 2 and – 7.

Solution is

Initial conditions are y(0) = 0,

Applying these conditions, we find that c1 = - 1/5, c2 = 1/5

Solution is
A 3 lb weight on a spring stretches it to 6 inches.
Suppose a damping force ‘cv’ is present (c > 0).
Show that the motion is
(i)critically damped if c = 1.5
(ii)over damped if c > 1.5
(iii)oscillatory if c < 1.5

Solution:
The equation of motion of the spring is

Weight = 3 lb => mg = 3 lb => m = 3/32

3 lb weight stretches the spring to 6 inches i.e. ½ ft
3 = k (½) => k = 6 lb/ft
..CONTINUED

Equation of motion is
(3/32) y" + c y' + 6 y = 0
Discriminant = 1024 c2 – 2304
(i) The motion is critically damped if the roots are
real and equal
Discriminant = 1024 c2 – 2304 = 0 => c = 1.5
(ii) The motion is over damped if the roots are real
and distinct.
Discriminant = 1024 c2 – 2304 > 0 => c > 1.5
(iii) The motion is oscillatory if the roots are
imaginary
Discriminant = 1024 c2 – 2304 < 0 => if c < 1.5
A 128-lb weight is attached to a spring having a spring constant of
64 lb/ft. The weight is started in motion with no initial velocity by
displacing it 6 inches above the equilibrium position and by
simultaneously applying to the weight an external force
F(t) = 8 sin 4t. Assuming no air resistance, find the subsequent
motion of the weight.
Solution:
Here m = 4, k = 64, c = 0 and F(t) = 8 sin 4t.
The equation of motion of the spring is
 ..CONTINUED

Roots of the auxiliary equation are 4i and -4i.

Hence C. F. is yc(t) = A cos 4t + B sin 4t.

P.I. is yp(t) =

Complete solution is y(t) = A cos 4t + B sin 4t –

Applying the initial conditions, y(0) = -1/2 ft and ,

we obtain
Determine whether resonance occurs in a system consisting
of a weight 32 lb attached to a spring with stiffness constant
k = 4 lb/ft and external force 16 sin 2t and no damping force
present. Initially y = ½ and y' = - 4. Find the displacement of
the body from its equilibrium position at any time ‘t’.

Solution:
Frequency of the external force = 2/2π = 1/ π
Natural frequency = µ/(2π), where µ2 = k/m = 4
Hence Natural frequency = 2/2π = 1/ π
Since Frequency of the external force is equal to
Natural frequency, resonance occurs in the system
The equation of motion of the spring is

Weight = 32 lb => mg = 32 => m = 32/32 = 1

..CONTINUED
k = 4 lb/ft. Hence k/m = 4
Equation of motion is y" + 4 y = 16 sin 2t
Roots of the auxiliary equation are: ± 2i
Hence C. F. is yc(t) = A cos 2t + B sin 2t

P.I. is yp(t) =
= - 4t cos 2t
Complete solution is y(t) = A cos 2t + B sin 2t - 4t cos 2t
when t = 0, y = ½ => A = ½
when t = 0, y' = 0 => B = 0
Hence y(t) = ½ cos 2t - 4t cos 2t
A 10 kg mass is attached to a spring having a spring constant of
140 N/m. The mass is started in motion from the equilibrium
position with an initial velocity of 1 m/sec in the upward direction
and with an applied external force F(t) = 5 sin t. Find the
subsequent motion of the mass, if the force due to air resistance is
90 N.

Solution:
Since g = 9.8 m/ sec2, m = 10kg; w = mg = 98 N and c = 90.
Also w = ke  k = w/e = 140N/m and F(t) = 5 sin t.
The equation of motion of the spring is
 ..CONTINUED

Roots of the auxiliary equation are - 2 and – 7.

Hence C. F. is yc(t) =

P.I. is yp(t) =

Complete solution is y(t) =

Initial conditions are y(0) = 0,
Using these conditions, we find that c1 = - 90/500, c2 = 99/500
Solution is
 Determine the solutions of a mechanical system with
weight 8 lb, stiffness constant 4 lb/ft, damping force is 2
times instantaneous velocity and external force is
8 sin 4t. The initial conditions are y = 1 and y' = 0.

Solution:
The equation of motion of the spring is

Weight = 8 lb => mg = 8 lb => m = 8/32 = ¼, k = 4 lb/ft

Hence equation of motion is

Roots of the auxiliary equation are: - 4, - 4

 ..CONTINUED

Roots of the auxiliary equation are: - 4, - 4

Hence C. F. is yc(t) = (A t + B) e- 4t

P.I. is yp(t) = - cos 4t

Complete solution is y(t) = (A t + B) e- 4t - cos 4t
when t = 0, y = 1 => B = 2
when t = 0, y' = 0 => A = 8
Hence y(t) = (8 t + 2) e- 4t - cos 4t