Physics of Waves Solution: Tutorial-4 IIT Kharagpur

Problem 1
Let A be an n × n matrix and let X ∈ Cn be a non-zero vector for which

AX = λX

for some scalar λ. Then λ is called an eigenvalue of A and X is called an eigenvector of A

associated with λ.
The equation can be written as
 
1 0
(A − λI)X = 0 where I =
0 1
The characteristic equation is
det(A − λI) = 0
Here,  
2 2
A=
1 3
Now
det(A − λI) = 0

2−λ 2
⇒ =0
1 3−λ

⇒ (2 − λ)(3 − λ) − (2)(1) = 0

⇒ λ2 − 5λ + 4 = 0
√
5± 25 − 16 5±3
⇒λ= =
2 2
Thus the eigenvalues are: λ1 = 1, λ2 = 4

For λ = λ1 = 1

(A − 1I)X = 0
 
a
Let X = ,
b     
2−1 2 a 0
=
1 3−1 b 0

⇒ a + 2b = 0 ⇒ a = −2b
 
−2
X=b
1
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 2 of 11
 
−2
The eigenvector for λ = λ1 = 1 is X1 =
1
For λ = λ2 = 4
(A − 4I)X = 0
    
−2 2 a 0
=
1 −1 b 0

⇒ −2a + 2b = 0 ⇒ a = b
 
1
X=b
1
 
1
The eigenvector corresponding to λ = λ2 = 4 is X2 = .
1

Problem 2
 
2 −3 0
Here A = 2 −5 0
0 0 3
Now the characteristic equation,

2−λ −3 0
det(A − λI) = 2 −5 − λ 0 =0
0 0 3−λ

⇒ (2 − λ) [(−5 − λ)(3 − λ) − 0] − (−3) [2(3 − λ) − 0] + 0 = 0

⇒ (λ − 3)(λ2 + 3λ − 4) = 0

⇒ (λ − 3)(λ − 1)(λ + 4) = 0

The eigenvalues are λ1 = 1, λ2 = 3 and λ3 = −4

For λ = λ1 = 1
(A − 1I)X = 0
    
2−1 −3 0 a 0
 2 −5 − 1 0   b = 0
 
0 0 3−1 c 0
Thus, we have,
a − 3b = 0 ⇒ a = 3b
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 3 of 11

and
2c = 0 ⇒ c = 0
Thus  
3
X = b 1

0
 
3
The eigenvector corresponding to λ1 = 1 is X1 = 1.
0
For λ = λ2 = 3
(A − 3I)X = 0
    
2−3 −3 0 a 0
 2 −5 − 3 0   b = 0
 
0 0 3−3 c 0
Thus, we have,
−a − 3b = 0
and
2a − 8b = 0
solving we get, a = b = 0.

We also have
0.c = 0 ⇒ c is free
Thus  
0
X = c 0
1
 
0
The eigenvector corresponding to λ2 = 3 is X2 = 0.
1
 
1
Similarly, the eigenvector corresponding to λ3 = −4 is X3 = 2.

0

Problem 3
m M m

x1 x2 x3
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 4 of 11

Let the instantaneous displacements of the masses be x1 , x2 and x3 respectively. Assuming

x3 > x2 > x1 , we can say that the left spring is stretched by x2 − x1 and the right spring is
stretched by x3 − x2 .
The equations of motion can be written as:
mẍ1 = s(x2 − x1 ) (1)
M ẍ2 = s(x3 − x2 ) − s(x2 − x1 ) (2)
mẍ3 = −s(x3 − x2 ) (3)
To find the normal frequencies, we set
x1 = A1 eiωt , x2 = A2 eiωt , x3 = A3 eiωt
Substituting and rearranging, we get
(−mω 2 + s)A1 − sA2 = 0 (4)
−sA1 + (−M ω 2 + 2s)A2 − sA3 = 0 (5)
−sA2 + (−mω 2 + s)A3 = 0 (6)
    
s − mω 2 −s 0 A1 0
2
⇒  −s 2s − M ω −s  A2 = 0
 
0 −s s − mω 2 A3 0
For non-trivial solutions:
s − mω 2 −s 0
−s 2s − M ω 2 −s =0
2
0 −s s − mω
⇒ (s − mω 2 ) (2s − M ω 2 )(s − mω 2 ) − s2 − s2 (s − mω 2 ) = 0
 

⇒ (s − mω 2 ) (2s − M ω 2 )(s − mω 2 ) − 2s2 = 0

 

⇒ ω 2 (s − mω 2 )(mM ω 2 − 2sm − sM ) = 0

s s(2m+M )
The roots are ω 2 = 0, ω 2 = m
and ω 2 = mM

Thus, the normal frequencies are (taking only the positive roots):
r r
s s 2s
ω1 = 0, ω2 = , ω3 = +
m m M
(i) Putting ω = ω1 = 0 in equations (4), (5), and (6); we get
A1 = A2 = A3 = constant
This corresponds to translatory motion as a whole without any oscillation.
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 5 of 11

ps
(ii) For ω = ω2 = m
we get:

A2 = 0 and A1 = −A3 = C1 (say)

Here, the central mass is at rest while the end masses are displaced equally in opposite di-
rections.

q
s 2s
(iii) For ω = ω3 = m
+ M

2m
A1 = A3 = C2 (say) and A2 = − C2
M
Here, the displacement of the central mass is different and in opposite phase with respect to
the outer masses.

Problem 4

l
x1
k
M M
′
k
x2

Assume the instantaneous displacements of the two masses are x1 and x2 respectively. We
take x2 > x1 .
For the first mass (connected to two springs):

M ẍ1 = −kx1 + k ′ (x2 − x1 ) (7)

For the second mass:

M ẍ2 = −k ′ (x2 − x1 ) − M g sin θ (8)
Note that the displacement of the second mass by x2 is equivalent to the angular displacement
of the pendulum by an angle θ (i.e. lθ = x2 ). Assuming small angles, sin θ ≈ θ ≈ x2 /l, so:
Mg
M ẍ2 = −k ′ (x2 − x1 ) − x2 (9)
l
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 6 of 11

To find normal modes, we set

x1 = A1 eiωt , x2 = A2 eiωt

Substituting:
(−M ω 2 + k + k ′ )A1 − k ′ A2 = 0 (10)
 
′ 2 ′ Mg
−k A1 + −M ω + k + A2 = 0 (11)
l
Now putting the values of M, k, k ′ , l, g we have

(−0.1ω 2 + 0.91208)A1 − 0.01208A2 = 0 (12)

−0.01208A1 + −0.1ω 2 + 0.91208 A2 = 0

(13)
The characteristic equation is:

−0.1ω 2 + 0.91208 −0.01208

=0
−0.01208 −0.1ω 2 + 0.91208ω 2

⇒ (0.1ω 2 − 0.91208)2 − (0.01208)2 = 0

⇒ (0.1ω 2 − 0.9)(0.1ω 2 − 0.92416) = 0

Taking only the positive roots, we have the normal frequencies

ω1 = 3s−1 ω2 = 3.04s−1

Substituting the values of M, k, k ′ , l, g in the equations of motion (7) and (9)

0.1ẍ1 + 0.91208x1 − 0.01208x2 = 0 (14)

0.1ẍ2 + 0.91208x2 − 0.01208x1 = 0 (15)

Adding (14) and (15) and introducing a new variable xa = x1 + x2 we have

ẍa + 9xa = 0 or ẍa + ω12 xa = 0 (16)

Similarly, taking xb = x1 − x2 we have

ẍb + 9.2416xb = 0 or ẍb + ω22 xb = 0 (17)

Here we can see that the normal frequencies ω1 and ω2 can also be calculated from (16) and
(17) respectively.
The general solutions of the equations (16) and (17) are the following

xa = x1 + x2 = Aa cos(ω1 t + ϕ1 ) and xb = x1 − x2 = Ab cos(ω2 t + ϕ2 )

Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 7 of 11

We choose a special case where amplitudes Aa = Ab = 2a and phases ϕ1 = ϕ2 = 0 , the

displacement of the masses are given by:
   
(ω1 + ω2 )t (ω2 − ω1 )t
x1 = acos(ω1 t) + acos(ω2 t) = 2acos cos
2 2
   
(ω1 + ω2 )t (ω2 − ω1 )t
x2 = acos(ω1 t) − acos(ω2 t) = 2asin sin
2 2
We find that there are two frequencies involved. One is the higher frequency (low time
period) of oscillations of individual masses. The second one is the beat frequency (lower
frequency) by which the amplitude of oscillation varies. The beat frequency is ωbeat = ω2 −ω
2
1
.

4π
Thus the time period for beat is Tbeat = ω2 −ω1
= 100s.

Problem 5
(a) For now we ignore the part (a) of Q5. For the solution of the next part, we will assume
that the proportionality constants are the same.

(b) Let at any time t, the displacements from the equilibrium of m1 and m2 be x1 and x2
2
respectively. At this moment force on m1 is m1 ddtx21 in the direction of displacement. It
2
gives rise to a reaction force proportional to − ddtx21 at any point of suspension. Due to the
coupling, this force is transmitted to mass m2 . So the force on m2 due to the coupling is
2
expected to be −µ2 ddtx21 . Here µ2 is the proportionality constant that depends on the extent
of coupling. Equation of motion for the mass m2 can be written as

d2 x2 d2 x1
m2 = −s 2 x 2 − µ 2 (18)
dt2 dt2
where s2 represents restoring force per unit displacement. Similarly equation of motion for
the mass m1 is
d2 x1 d2 x2
m1 2 = −s1 x1 − µ1 2 (19)
dt dt
s1 µ1 µ2
m1
= ms22 = ω02 and m 1
= k1 , m 2
= k2 then Eqns. (19) and (18) become

d2 x1 2 d2 x2
+ ω0 x 1 + k 1 =0 (20)
dt2 dt2
d2 x2 2 d2 x1
+ ω0 2x + k 2 =0 (21)
dt2 dt2
To find the normal frequencies let x1 = A1 eiωt and let x2 = A2 eiωt . Substituting these
solutions in (20) and (21) we get

(ω02 − ω 2 )A1 − k1 ω 2 A2 = 0,
−k2 ω 2 A1 + (ω02 − ω 2 )A2 = 0
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 8 of 11

For non-trivial solutions,

(ω02 − ω 2 ) −k1 ω 2
=0
−k2 ω 2 (ω02 − ω 2 )

ω04 − 2ω02 ω 2 + (1 − k1 k2 )ω 4 = 0
p
2 2ω02 ± 4ω04 − 4(1 − k1 k2 )ω04
ω =
2(1 − k1 k2 )
√
2 ω02 ± ω02 k1 k2
ω =
1 − k1 k2
ω02 (1 ± k)
ω2 =
1 − k2

√
where k = k1 k2 = √mµ1 m2 (here we have assumed that the proportionality constants are the
same, i.e. µ1 = µ2 = µ). Hence, two possible normal frequencies (taking only the positive
values) are,
ω0 ω0
ω1 = √ , ω2 = √ .
1−k 1+k

Problem 6
L L
C0 C0
Ia Ib
−Qa Qa −Qb Qb

−Q
V (t) 1 C 2
Q

Ia − Ib

The main governing differential equations (using Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law) for circuits 1 and
2 are:
dIa Qa Q
L + + = V (t) (22)
dt C0 C
dIb Qb Q
L + − =0 (23)
dt C0 C
dQ dQa dQb
By differentiating once again and using dt
= Ia − Ib , dt
= Ia , and dt
= Ib , we can write:
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 9 of 11

d2 Ia
 
1 1 1 1 dV
2
+ + Ia − Ib = (24)
dt LC0 LC LC L dt
2
 
d Ib 1 1 1
+ + Ib − Ia = 0 (25)
dt2 LC0 LC LC

Introducing new variables I1 = Ia + Ib and I2 = Ia − Ib , we get:

d2 I1 1 dV
2
+ ω12 I1 = (26)
dt L dt
d2 I2 1 dV
2
+ ω22 I2 = (27)
dt L dt
where r
1 1 2
ω1 = √ , ω2 = + .
LC0 LC0 LC
These are the normal mode frequencies, and the corresponding normal mode coordinates are
I1 and I2 .
Taking V (t) = V0 sin ωt and solving (26) and (27), we get:
V0 ω V0 ω
I1 = Ia + Ib = cos ωt, I2 = Ia − Ib = cos ωt.
L(ω12 − ω 2 ) L(ω22 − ω 2 )
After some simplification:

Ib ω2 − ω2 1 1
= 2 2 2 1 2 = 2 2
= − ω 2 −ω 2
.
Ia ω1 + ω2 − 2ω ω −ω
1 + 2 ω12 −ω2 1 − 2 ω22 −ω2
2 1 2 1

Note that IIab > 1 if ω lies between ω1 and ω2 . So this is an electrical band-pass filter. To
behave like a low-pass filter, we require ω1 = 0 or C0 → ∞, which means that one needs
to short-circuit C0 .

Problem 7
Let x1 and x2 be the respective displacements of the masses m1 and m2 from their equilibrium
positions. The extension of the spring is x2 − x1 . Thus the equations of motion of m1 and
m2 are:

m1 ẍ1 = k(x2 − x1 ) + F exp(iωt) (28)

m2 ẍ2 = −k(x2 − x1 ) (29)

[We use complex exponential notation to simplify the calculation]

Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 10 of 11

Since we are forcing the bodies at frequency ω, let us try solutions:

x1 = Aeiωt (30)
iωt
x2 = Be (31)

Substituting, we get

kB − kA + F = −m1 Aω 2 (32)
−kB + kA = −m2 Bω 2 (33)

which gives
kA F (k − m2 ω 2 )
B= and A= (34)
k − m2 ω 2 ω 2 [m1 m2 ω 2 − k(m1 + m2 )]
Thus,

F (k − m2 ω 2 ) cos ωt
x1 = (35)
ω 2 [m1 m2 ω 2 − k(m1 + m2 )]
F k cos ωt
x2 = 2 (36)
ω [m1 m2 ω 2 − k(m1 + m2 )]

The amplitude of the motion of m1 is A. It is zero when ω 2 = k/m2 and infinite (resonance)
when ω 2 = k(m 1 +m2 )
m1 m2
. The amplitude tends to zero as ω tends to infinity. The amplitude
will also be infinite when ω = 0 (this corresponds to a steady force accelerating the whole
system).

Problem 8
ẍ + 2bẋ + ω02 x = f0 cos(ωt)
For the forced damped oscillation, the steady state solution is given by
f0 2bω
x(t) = acos(ωt − ϕ) where a= p 2 , tan(ϕ) = 2
(ω0 − ω 2 )2 + 4b2 ω 2 ω0 − ω 2

The power supplied by the driving force averaged over a cycle

⟨W ⟩ πf0 masin(ϕ) 1
⟨P ⟩ = = = f0 maωsin(ϕ)
T T 2
mb ω 2 f02
⇒ ⟨P ⟩ =  
(ω02 − ω 2 )2 + 4b2 ω 2
Thus, the power P is maximum when ω = ω0 and the maximum value is

mbf02 mf02
⟨P ⟩max = = .
4b2 4b
Physics of Waves Tutorial Solution Page 11 of 11

(a)
mb ω 2 f02 mf02
 2  = 21 ⟨P ⟩max =
(ω0 − ω 2 )2 + 4b2 ω 2 8b

⇒ ω 4 − 2ω 2 ω02 + 2b2 + ω04 = 0

The two values of ω 2 are

q
ω12 = ω02 + 2b + 2
(ω02 + 2b2 )2 − ω04 ,
q
ω22 = ω02 2
+ 2b − (ω02 + 2b2 )2 − ω04 .
Thus
q
ω12 , ω22 = ω02 + 2b2 ± 2b ω02 + b2
q
= ( ω02 + b2 ± b)2

Hence (taking positive roots), q

ω1 , ω2 = ω02 + b2 ± b

⇒ ω1 .ω2 = ω02
(b)
ω1 − ω2 = 2b.

P
Pmax

1
P
2 max
ω2 ω1

∆ω
P ower resonance curve