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Phys42200 Lecture11

1) Two coupled pendulums connected by a spring exhibit two normal modes of oscillation, one at the natural frequency of an individual pendulum and one at a higher frequency due to the restoring force of the stretched or compressed spring. 2) The differential equations describing the motion of the two coupled pendulums can be decoupled by defining new normal coordinates in terms of the displacements and velocities of each pendulum. 3) With the decoupled equations, the motion of the system can be described as a superposition of oscillations at the two normal mode frequencies, satisfying any given initial conditions.

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21 views

Phys42200 Lecture11

1) Two coupled pendulums connected by a spring exhibit two normal modes of oscillation, one at the natural frequency of an individual pendulum and one at a higher frequency due to the restoring force of the stretched or compressed spring. 2) The differential equations describing the motion of the two coupled pendulums can be decoupled by defining new normal coordinates in terms of the displacements and velocities of each pendulum. 3) With the decoupled equations, the motion of the system can be described as a superposition of oscillations at the two normal mode frequencies, satisfying any given initial conditions.

Uploaded by

jonny.platters34
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Physics 42200

Waves & Oscillations


Lecture 11 – French, Chapter 5

Spring 2014 Semester


Matthew Jones
Coupled Oscillators
• Simple pendulum: + sin =0
+ ≈0
ℓ
ℓ =

≈ℓ
+ ≈0
= cos +
=
Two Independent Oscillators
• Two simple pendula: + ≈0
+ ≈0

ℓ ℓ = cos +
= cos +
Two Coupled Oscillators
• Two simple pendula
connected to a spring:

• There are many types of


motion possible now.
ℓ ℓ
• The solutions are not
independent
• We can consider two
“modes” of oscillation.
Two Coupled Oscillators
• The spring is at its relaxed
length and exerts no force
ℓ ℓ on A or B.
• Each pendulum oscillates at
its natural frequency
= /ℓ
= ( )
= cos +
One differential equation
describes both pendula.
Two Coupled Oscillators
• In this case,
=−
ℓ ℓ • The spring is stretched or
compressed and produces
! = −" − = −2"
• Differential equation for A:
2"
+ + =0
$
• Differential equation for B:
2"
+ + =0
$
Two Coupled Oscillators
+ +2 % =0
• This is just the differential
ℓ ℓ equation for simple harmonic
motion:
+ ′ =0
• Oscillation frequency is
′= +2 %
• The spring increases the
restoring force and increases
the frequency.
Two Coupled Oscillators
• We have identified two
modes of the system:
– One oscillates with frequency
ℓ ℓ = /ℓ
– The other with frequency
′= +2 %
• These are the only two
normal modes of the system.
• But we can superimpose the
solutions to describe
arbitrary motion.
Two Coupled Oscillators
• The spring is stretched by
the amount −
ℓ ℓ • Restoring force on
pendulum A:
! = −"( − )
• Restoring force on
pendulum B:
! = "( − )
$
$ + +" − =0
ℓ
$
$ + −" − =0
ℓ
Two Coupled Oscillators
"
+ + − =0
$
+ + % − % =0

+ −" − =0
+ + % − % =0

• Each equation contains a term in the other coordinate


• The motion of A affects B and the motion of B affects A
• They must be solved simultaneously
Two Coupled Oscillators
+ + % − % =0
+ + % − % =0
• Add equations for A and B together:
'
+ + + =0
'
• Subtract equations A and B:
'
− + +2 % − =0
'
Two Coupled Oscillators
• We have successfully “decoupled” the differential
equations:
'
+ + + =0
'
'
− + ′ − =0
'
where = /ℓ and ( = +2 %
• We just need to re-label the coordinates:
)* = +
) = −
Two Coupled Oscillators
• Decoupled equations:
)* + )* = 0
) + ′ ) =0
• Solutions are
)* = + cos +,
) = - cos ′ + .
• The variables )* and ) are called “normal
coordinates”.
Initial Conditions
• Suppose we had the initial conditions:
=+ / =0
=0 / =0
• Try to satisfy these when , = . = 0:
1 1 1 (
( ) = )* + ) = + cos + - cos
2 2 2
1 1 1 (
= )* − ) = + cos − - cos
2 2 2
• At time = 0,
1 1
++- =+ +−- =0
2 2
• Now we know that + = - = + .
Initial Conditions
• Velocity:
1 1 (
/ =− + sin − + ′ sin
2 2
1 1 (
/ =− + sin + + ′ sin
2 2
• Initial conditions are satisfied at = 0.
Initial Conditions
• Complete solution:
1
= + cos + cos (
2
(− (+
= + cos cos
2 2
1
= + cos − cos (
2
(− (+
= + sin sin
2 2

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