The force on block 1 from the first spring is
`F_1=-k_1x`
Where `x` is the position to the right of the equilibrium position. Let y be the distance to the right of block 2's equilibrium position. Then the second spring exerts a force `F_2` on block 1 given by
`F_2=k_2(y-x)`
See
This Answer NowStart your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
`F_2=k_2(y-x)`
Think about it. If `x=y` there should be no force from spring 2. Also if `ygtx` then there should be a pull to the right (positive) on block 1. If `xlty` then the block should pull to the left (negative).
Since block 2 is only attached to spring 2, from Newton's third law
`F_3=-F2=-k_2(y-x)`
Now apply Newton's second law to both the blocks.
`m_1 (d^2x)/dt^2=F_1+F_2=-k_1x+k_2(y-x)`
`m_2 (d^2y)/dt^2=F_3=-k_2(y-x)`
Plug in the values for `k` and `m` , then move the terms to the left hand side.
`2(d^2x)/dt^2+6x-2y=0`
`(d^2y)/dt^2+2y-2x=0`
I'm going to set let `D:=d/dt` and solve this system of equations by the elimination method.
`(1):-gt (2D^2+6)x-2y=0`
`(2):-gt (D^2+2)y-2x=0`
Now multiply eq. `(1)` by `(D^2+2)` and multiply eq. `(2)` by `2` .
`(1):-gt(D^2+2)(2D^2+6)x-2(D^2+2)y=0`
`(2):-gt 2(D^2+2)y-4x=0`
Add eq. `(1)` and eq. `(2)` together to eliminate `y`.
`(D^2+2)(2D^2+6)x-2(D^2+2)y+2(D^2+2)y-4x=0 ``2D^4x+6D^2x+4D^2x+12x-2D^2y-4y+2D^2y+4y-4x=0`
`2D^4x+10D^2x+8x=0`
`(3):-gt 2(d^4x)/(dt^4)+10(d^2x)/(dt^2)+8x=0`
Try a solution of the form `x(t)=e^(rt)` .
Then eq. `(3)` takes the form
`2(r^4+5r^2+4)e^(rt)=0`
Solve for the roots of this characteristic equation.
`(r^4+5r^2+4)=0`
`(r^2+1)(r^2+4)=0`
The roots are `r=i, -i, 2i, -2i` .
Using Euler's formula, it follows that two linearly independent solutions are
`z_1(t)=e^(it)=cos(t)+isin(t)`
`z_2(t)=e^(2it)=cos(2t)+isin(2t)`
The general solution is a superposition of the imaginary and real parts of the linearly independent solutions.
`x(t)=a_1cos(t)+a_2sin(t)+a_3cos(2t)+a_4sin(2t) `To find `y(t)` use earlier equation to put `y` in terms of `x` ,
`2(d^2x)/dt^2+6x-2y=0`
`y(t)=(d^2x)/dt^2+3x`
Differentiate the general solution for `x(t)` twice and plug it in. You will find
`y(t)=2a_1cos(t)+2a_2sin(t)-a_3cos(2t)-a_4sin(2t)`
To determine the coefficients apply the initial conditions:
`x(0)=3`
`(dx)/(dt)=0`
`y(0)=3`
`(dy)/(dt)=0`
This will yield a system of 4 equations. You should find that,
`x(t)=2cos(t)+cos(2t)`
`y(t)=4cos(t)-cos(2t)`
x(t) is in black and y(t) in red.