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Praveen Xavier
8085827
February 2014
Abstract
1
1. Introduction
A system bound by a potential, when slightly displaced from the minimum of potential, tends
to oscillate with Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM). SHM also occurs due to a sinusoidal
driving force.
An interesting property of such systems called resonance manifests as the driving force closes
to the natural frequency of the system. The result is the amplitude of vibration becomes very
large.
Resonance can be harnessed. In electrical circuits, the alternating voltage when close to the
resonance of the circuit reduces the resistance within the circuit, reducing loss of energy.
Resonance has also been destructive: in April 1831, the march of a group of soldiers on
Broughton suspension bridge over the river Irwell drove the bride to vibrate at close to its
natural frequency, causing the bridge to break.
2. Theory
SHM will occur when a restoring force has the form kx , where x is the displacement
from the point of minimum potential energy and k is a property of the system.
Writing Newtons second law for the evolution with time of such a system with mass m :
2
d x
m 2
=kx .(1)
dt
x= Acos (k
m )
t+ .(2)
The function above repeats itself every 2 , so the time corresponding to this must be the
period of oscillation T :
2
T= ,(3)
k
m
2
=
k
m
.( 4)
dx
b
2.1 When a force damping the oscillation is introduced, it takes the form dt .
Rewriting Newtons second law for the new system, and its solution [1] :
d2 x dx
m 2
=kxb (5)
dt dt
x= A e
(b2 t )cos
( ( ) )
k
m 2
b 2
t+ (6)
Fcos ( d + )
2.2 When oscillations are being driven with a periodic force of form, [2]
d2 x dx
m 2 =kxb + Fcos ( d + ) (7)
dt dt
Solving for x ,
( ( ) )
b
2
t k b 2
x= A e cos t+ + Bcos ( d + ) (8)
m 2
Where,
F /m
B= (9)
( ) +( 4 b )
2 2 2
d d
2
3
The quality factor Q quantifies the lack of damping in a system:
f
Q= (10)
f1
2
Or,
Q= (11)
Where,
=2 b(12)
Phase difference between the generating wave and the response wave is calculated by,
phase=2 f driver t(13)
Where t can be found by observing the difference in the two waves along the x -axis
on the oscilloscope.
3. Experimental method
The mechanical oscillator is connected to the bar by a rubber band. Figure 1 is a picture of
the set-up of the apparatus [3].The feedback of the bar was measured using a 20 turn coil that
is attached to the bar. As the bar vibrates, the coil oscillates in a fixed magnetic field
produced by a horseshoe magnet, inducing a current across the coils as stated by Faradays
law of induction. The induced current is proportional to the velocity of the bar. The induced
current is plotted as a function of time on the oscilloscope.
Damping in the experiment is produced by an electromagnet which induces eddies in the bar,
thus retarding it with force proportional to the velocity.
Phosphor-BronzeHorseshoe
bar magnet
Electromagnetic damper
Rubber band
Mechanical oscillator
4
Fig 1- Set-up of apparatus [3]
3.1.1 Un-damped
To establish a rough value of the resonant frequency, the bar was plucked and allowed to
vibrate freely. The reading on the oscilloscope was used to establish the natural frequency (
f0
):
f 0 13.5 Hz .(14)
This was done so that we could vary the frequencies in the right range in the following
experiments.
Having changed the settings on the oscilloscope, the bar was once again plucked. The
oscilloscope now records how the peak amplitude changes with time.
3.1.2 Damped
Retaining the same settings on the oscilloscope and turning damping to maximum, the bar
was once again plucked.
3.2.1 Un-damped
A sine wave generator was selected on the mechanical oscillator. Using the toggles, the bar
was driven at a range of frequencies from 12.8 Hz to 14 Hz in increments of 0.1 Hz and
0.01Hz close to the rough value of 13.5 Hz. The response amplitude was measured from the
oscilloscope in arbitrary units.
3.2.2 Damped
5
The same experimental method was carried out as in 3.2.1. The bar however was subject to
maximum damping.
4. Results
It can be seen that the amplitude increases up to a certain frequency, peaks, and then reduces
beyond this frequency. Identifying the peak, frequency was determined to be 13.410 0.005
Hz. This is the resonant frequency of the bar.
In the case of both un-damped and damped, the resonant frequency remains unchanged. The
behaviour of the amplitude does not change either.
6
Fig 3- Power absorption vs Frequency for un-damped motion
f1
From this we find 2 , and so can find the Q factor of the bar:
f 1 =0.09 Hz (15)
2
Qundamped =149(16)
7
Below is the power absorption curve for damped forced oscillations.
f 1 =0.27 Hz(17)
2
Q damped =50(18)
8
4.3 Decay
The equation describing the evolution of amplitude with time can be derived from equation 6
bt
2
A= A 0 e (19)
y =bx (20)
Where,
A0 t
y=ln (21)x= (22)
A 2
9
Fig 5- Plot of y vs x for un-damped
motion
b=0.455739(23)
10
Above is the graph for the decay of a free, damped oscillation.
The same equations written in 4.3.1 apply with a different value for b .
Below is a graph of y vs x .
b=1.50364(24 )
11
A graph of phase difference vs frequency is plotted below for both un-damped and damped
oscillations.
Fig 8- Plot of phase difference vs frequency for both damped and un-damped cases
5. Discussion
The reduced chi squared values are 0.3652 and 0.7885 for un-damped and damped
oscillations respectively.
The error on the value of the resonant frequency is given by the instrumental error
0.005 Hz.
6. Conclusion
The data in the experiment determined the Q values of the system to be 502 and 1495 for
un-damped and damped cases respectively.
12
The exponential form of decay predicted by the theory for both damped and un-damped was
confirmed through the linear relationship between y & x as can be seen in figure 5 and
7.
The relative values of b as can be seen from Figures 5 and 7 were also predicted by the
theory and confirmed through experiment.
The errors in this experiment werent large and so, the experimental data fit tightly with the
mathematics written or the system.
References
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