If we assume that no forces other than gravitational force are acting on the mass-spring
system thn mass spring equation becomes
m y(t) = mg – k (s + y) = mg – ks – ky.
At equilibrium ks = mg. Therefore, the above equation becomes,
m y(t) = – ky.
Here, the negative sign indicates that the restoring force of the spring acts opposite to the direction
of the motion. Moreover, we shall adopt the convention that displacement measured below the
equilibrium position y = 0, is to be reckoned as positive, and above this position as negative.
Thus we can write the above differential equation as,
m y(t) + ky = 0.
or
𝑘
y(t) + 𝜔2 y = 0; 𝜔2 = .
𝑚
Moreover, the natural frequency (or, just frequency), which is more useful than the circular
frequency, is defined as,
f= ω .
2π
It is the frequency of the free undamped motion. It gives the number of oscillations the spring
undergoes every unit of time. Furthermore, the reciprocal of the frequency f, i.e., 1/f, is called the
period of the motion, T. Thus,
T = 1/f = 2π/ ω.
k . Thus, the above equation becomes,
But, ω = m
T = 2π m ,
k
Example:
A 60 lb weight stretches a spring by 6 inches. Determine the function y(t) that describes
the displacement of the weight if it is released 12 inches below the position of equilibrium.
Solution
Using the given data, F = 60 lb, and s = 6/12 = ½ ft, the Hooke’s law, F = ks, gives the
value of the spring constant , k, as,
k = F/s = 60 x 2 = 120 lb/ft.
Next, we find the mass m using the formula F = mg, as,
m = F/g = 60/32 = 15/8 slugs.
Therefore, using the values of m, k, and the initial distance of the weight, 12 in. = 1ft below the
equilibrium position (positive direction), and zero initial velocity,
15
8 y(t) 120 y 0, ,
y(0) 1, y (0) 0.
or,
y(t) 64 y(t) 0,
. (7.3.15)
y(0) 1, y (0) 0
The auxiliary equation corresponding to the above differential equation has the roots ±8i.
Therefore, the general solution of this differential equation is,
y(t) = A cos 8t + B sin 8t.
Differentiating it we obtain,
y′(t) = – 8A sin 8t + 8B cos 8t.
Using the above initial conditions we obtain A = 1 and B = 0. Therefore, Eqn. gives,
y(t) = cos 8t.
This function describes the displacement or motion of the weight attached to the spring. It may be
seen that the mass-spring never comes to rest after it is set into motion. This type of motion is
called Simple Harmonic Motion.
Example:
An object weighing 2 lb stretches a spring by 1.5 inches.
Determine the function y(t) that describes the displacement of the object if it is released with a
downward initial velocity of 32 ft/sec, from 12 inches above the equilibrium position.
Solution
First we shall determine the value of the spring constant k, using the Hooke’s law, F = ks. Here,
we are given: Force F = 2 lb; elongation of spring s = 1.5 inches = 1/8 ft. Therefore,
k = F/s = 16 lb/ft.
Next, we find the mass m using the formula, F = mg. Thus we obtain,
m = F/g = 2 lb/32 ft/sec2 = 1/16 slug.
Next, we determine the initial conditions. The initial position of the object is 12 inches,
i.e., 1 ft., above the equilibrium position, which is taken as negative direction. This gives
y(0) = –1.
The downward (positive direction) initial velocity of the object is 32 ft/sec2. Therefore,
y′(0) = 32.
Thus Eqns.(7.3.5) model the given situation as the initial value problem,
1
16 y(t) 16 y(t) 0,
,
y(0) 1, y (0) 32.
or,
y(t) 256 y(t) 0,
. (7.3.19)
y(0) 1, y (0) 32
The auxiliary equation corresponding to this differential equation has the roots ±16i, which
give the general solution of the above equation as,
y = A cos 16 t + B sin 16 t.
Using the above initial conditions we obtain A = –1, and B = 2. Therefore, the function y(t)
describes the displacement of the given object under the given conditions as,
y = – cos 16t + 2 sin 16t.
EXERCISE
[The Mass-Spring System/Simple Harmonic Motion]
Note: Answers are given against the respective questions within square brackets.
1. An object weighing 69.77 N is attached to a spring that results in the elongation of the spring
by 0.441 meter. Find the value of the spring constant k and determine the number of cycles
per minute the object will undergo when allowed to vibrate.
[k =158.2 N/meter, No. of cycles per minute = 45 ]
2. A object having weight 40 N stretches a spring by 4 cm. Determine the value of k, and
frequency of the corresponding harmonic oscillation. Also find the period.
[k = 1000 N/meter, Frequency = 2.49 cycles/sec (Hz), Period = 0.402 sec ]
3. A 20 N weight is attached to a spring which stretches it by 9.8 cm. The weight is pulled down
from the equilibrium/rest position by 5 cm and given an upward velocity of 30 cm/sec.
Assuming no damping, determine the resulting motion of the spring y(t).
[k = 204.1 N/meter, m = 2.041 kg, ω = 10, y(t) = 5 cos 10t – 3 sin 10t (cm) ]
Determine the mass m attached to the spring, the spring constant k, and interpret the initial
conditions for the following mass spring systems
4. 3 y(t) + 7 y(t) = 0, y(0) = – 2, y (0) 0 ;
[m = 3 slugs, k = 7 lb/ft, object released 2 ft
above eq. posn. with initial vel. of zero ft/sec]
1
2 y(t) + 17 y(t) = 0; y(0) = 0.5, y(0) -3 ;
5.
[m = ½ slug, k = 17 lb/ft, object released ½ ft
below eq. Posn. with upward initial vel. of 3 ft/sec]