Complex Representation

In SHM
x(t )  A cos(0 t   ) v(t )  0 A sin(0 t   )
a(t )  02 A cos(0 t   )
The amplitude and phase of the oscillation can be combined into
a single complex number (called complex amplitude)

~
the complex amplitude, A  A e i
x(t )  A cos(0t   ) can be written as real part of
x (t )  A e  A ei (0t  )  A cos(0t   )  i sin(0t   )
~ ~ i 0 t

x (t )  i 0 ~
So, complex velocity, v~ (t )  ~ x (t )

January 18, 2021 SHO 1

Question 1.
A simple harmonic oscillator with its angular frequency of 5 rad/s has a
displacement of 1 cm and a velocity of 5 cm/s at the initial time, t = 0.
(a) total distance does the oscillator move during one cycle of its motion
(b) Calculate the complex amplitude and
(c) determine the position of the oscillator at a later time π s.
~ ~
Given, Re[ A]  x0  1cm, and Re[i0 A]  v0  5 cm/s
~ v0
the complex amplitude, A  x0  i
0
 v0 
 x(t )  x0 cos(0t )    sin(0t )
 0 
The amplitude, a0  x  (v0 0 )  2 cm
2
0
2

The total distance in a cycle, 4a0

 Question 2.
(𝑥 2 /𝐿2 )
A particle of mass m in the potential 𝑉 𝑥 = 2𝑒 J (L is constant)
is found to behave like a SHO for small displacements from equilibrium.
Determine the period of this SHO.
1
V ( x)  2  2 2 x  e
' ( x 2 / L2 )
0 x 0
L
V ( x)  (4 L ) e
'' 2
 ( x 2 / L2 )
 x  2x e ( x 2 / L2 )
 0 at x  0,
So, at x  0, V ' ( x) has minima
d 1 x  x2 
F   V ( x)  2  2 2 x  e ( x 2 / L2 )
 4 2 1  2  ..
dx L L  L 

at small x, F  (4 L2 ) x  02  (4 L2 ) / m

Damped Harmonic Motion
 Examples of Damped Harmonic Oscillations

a) Radiation damping, moving charge radiates

b) Magnetic damping, energy of motion converted to heat by eddy

current

c) The mass experiences a drag force as it moves through the air.

d) When the mass oscillates horizontally attached to a string, then

there exists frictional forces between mass and surface.

e) There are resistive force acting on the charge in LC circuit, due

to wires and internal resistance of the devices.

January 18, 2021 SHO and Damped Osc. 5

By simple calculation understand the importance of
bearing safety belt during car ride

A car of mass 1000 kg hits a spring (k=106 N/m) and

compresses it by 50 cm.
Estimate the recoiled acceleration of the car.
 Damped Harmonic Motion

Ideal system:
Oscillate indefinitely under the action of a linear restoring force

For example: F=-k x

In reality, the oscillatory

motion can be obstructed by
the surrounding medium !!

Example : swing in the park

 Damped Harmonic Motion
Oscillatory motion in presence of a medium with viscosity

http://www.physics.louisville.edu/cldavis/phys298
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-osuniversityphysics/chapter/15-5-damped-oscillations/
 Damped Harmonic Motion
The surrounding medium oppose the motion.
This resistive (damping) force is proportional to velocity (v)

The damping force : Fd  r v

r : damping constant

Various design are adapted to reduced the air drag !!

 Damped Harmonic Motion

The damping force is Fd  r v

Total (net) force :

F  Fd  Fs
F  r x  k x
F  m x  r x  k x
-r v m x  r x  k x  0 k
02  ,
r k m
x  x  x  0
m m r
2 
m
x  2  x  0 x  0
2

2nd Order Linear Homogenous Equation with constant coefficients !!

Equation of motion 30
E0

m x  k x   r x
25

20

Energy
dv dx
mv  kx   r x 2 15

dt dt E0/e
10

2r  1
E    r v    m v 2 
5
d 2
0
dt m 2  0 2 4 time 6 8 10

m/r = τ
d
E   0 Energy decreases with time Relaxation time
dt
The average (over a period of time) energy of the system :

If r = 0, then E will be constant (property of SHM)

Energy decreases exponentially with time

Solution
x 2  x  02 x  0

Trial solution x  p e p t ,

Implies, p 2 e p t  2 p e p t  02 e p t  0

Quadratic equation : p  2  p    0,
2 2
0

Roots : p1      2  02 , p2      2  02

We define   
2 2
0
2

Implies p1     i  p2     i
 General solution :

x(t )  c1 e p1 t  c2 e p2 t ,

 x(t )  c1 e   i t  c2 e   i t


x(t )  e   t c1 ei t  c2 e i t 
 The constansts c1 and c2 can be determined by the initial conditions.

 The p1 and p2 are new frequencies of damped oscillation and this depends
on the damping parameter r or .

 Depending on the strength of damping and stiffness of the spring different

kinds of motion can be observed
 General solution in terms of initial conditions

x(t )  e   t c1 ei t  c2 e i t 
The velocity is given by

x (t )  e   t c1 (   i  )ei  t  c2 (   i  )e  i  t 
Initial conditions: at t = 0 x(0)  c1  c2
x (0)  c1 (   i )  c2 (   i )
Solving the above two equations we get
x (0)  (   i ) x(0) x (0)  (   i ) x(0)
c1  c2 
2 i 2 i
 x (0)  (   i ) x(0) i t x (0)  (   i ) x(0) i t 
x(t )  e t  e  e 
 2 i 2 i 
 t  
 x(0)x (0)   x(0)  i t  x(0) x (0)   x(0)  i t 
x(t )  e i e   i
 2  
e 
 2   2 2  
 General solution in terms of initial conditions

 x(0) i t x (0)   x(0) i t 

x(t )  e  t
 e e 
i t
i 
2
e e i t
  
 2 

After simplification we get

  t  x (0)   x(0) 
x(t )  e  x(0) cos  t  sin  t 
  
a a 
x(t )  e   t  0 ei ei t  0 e i e i t   a0 e   t cos( t   )
 2 2 

 x (0)   x(0)  x (0)   x(0)

2

where, a0  {x(0)}2    & tan    &    02   2

   x(0) 
 Overdamped Motion
We had the general solution
 x(0) i t x (0)   x(0) i t 
x(t )  e  t
 
e e i t

i
2

e  e i t 
 2 
where,
The damping resistance term dominates the stiffness term
 2  02  0 02   2  i 

To get the solution, replace in the above general solution

 1 02 
p1     1  
2 
 0 , p2      2
 0
2
0
 2 
The both roots (p1 and p2) are negative in this case so there will be only decay, No oscillation
 Overdamped Motion continuation ..

 x(0)  t  t x (0)   x(0)  t  t 

x(t )  e  t
 
e e i  2i
e e  
 ,
 2 

 t  x (0)   x(0) 
 x(t )  e  x(0) cosh  t  sinh  t 
  
 Overdamped Motion continuation
 t  x (0)   x(0) 
x(t )  e  x(0) cosh  t  sinh  t 
  
Case 1: The mass is pulled to one side and released from rest at t=0
  t  a 
x(0)  a; x (0)  0  x(t )  e  a cosh  t  sinh  t 
  
2
a 
x(t )  a0 e   t cosh ( t   ) where, a0  {a}2    & tan   
   

    2  02  i  ,

Case 2: The mass is hit and is given a speed v0 at its equilibrium position at t=0
v  v
x(0)  0; x (0)  v0  x(t )  e   t  0 sinh  t   0 e   t sinh  t
  

1 i 1 i
cosh(i )  (e  e i )  cos  sinh(i )  (e  e i )  i sin 
2 2
 Over damped behavior

For case 1 and 2

x(t)
Solid line for smaller damping

Dashed line for higher damping

1

time
 Examples of over damping

• Push-button water faucet shut-off valves

• Door closer with strong damper

• the voltage response reaches its final (or steady state)

value in the LCR circuit (when roots are real)
 Critically damped Motion
We had the general solution  2  02

  t  x (0)   x(0) 
x(t )  e  x(0) cos  t  sin  t 
  
where,    02   2

 sin  t    t
x(t )  e  t
 x(0)  x (0)   x(0) t   e  x(0)  x (0)   x(0)t 
 t 

Case 1: The mass is pulled to one side and released from rest t = 0

x(0)  a x (0)  0

The displacement is a product of a linearly increasing term and an exponentially

decreasing term.

The linear term dominate initially and latter taken over by exponential decay term.
 Critically damped Motion
We had the general solution  2  02

  t  x (0)   x(0) 
x(t )  e  x(0) cos  t  sin  t 
  
where,    02   2

 sin  t   t
x(t )  e  t
 x(0)  x (0)   x(0) t   e x(0)  x (0)   x(0)t 
 t 

Case 2: The mass is hit and is given a speed v0 at its equilibrium position at t=0

x(0)  0, x (0)  v0  x (t )  e  t
v0 t  
The displacement is a product of a linearly increasing term and an
exponentially decreasing term. The linear term dominate initially and latter
taken over by exponential decay term.
 Critical damping behavior

For case 1 and 2

1
Solid line for lower damping
x(t)
Dashed line for higher damping

Time
 Example of critical damping

1. Shock absorber in automobile (eg of critical damping)

2. Speedometer

3. Wire bridge (hydraulic damper)

4. Skyscraper building

speedometer