Physics 321 -- Spring 2003

 

Homework #6, due Wednesday Feb. 26

 

 

1.         (5) Marion & Thornton, problem 3-20.  Do this problem by hand (using algebra), not using the computer.  You need to find the two angular frequencies on either side of the resonance (call them w1 and w2) where the velocity amplitude is equal to the maximum velocity (on resonance) divided by Ö2.  The “full width” of the resonance is then defined as w2 - w1. 

 

 

2.         (5) Marion & Thornton, problem 3-24.  Rather than put three plots on a single graph, I suggest that you plot xp(t) and xc(t) together, but then plot their sum x(t) separately.  (Otherwise it will be too hard to read.)  Recall from the previous problem set that to put two plots on the same graph using Mathematica, put the two functions inside curly brackets separated by a comma, like this:

 

                        Plot[{x^2, Sin[x]},{x,0,4}]

 

One more note about using Mathematica, or any other computer program you use to solve problems.  On the computer there are no units and all variables are dimensionless.  Make sure you know what units you are using for the time axis (usually seconds).  Set the time range on your plots so you can see at least a couple of complete oscillations of the slower of the two frequencies, w and w1.

 

 

3.         (5) Marion & Thornton, problem 3-28.  Do this problem from scratch.  Start by deriving the differential equation for the charge on the capacitor using Kirchhoff’s laws, with the driving voltage of the form V(t) = V0cos(wt).  Now try a solution of the form q = q0cos(wt-d), and calculate both q0 and d.  After you have done all this, you will see that the amplitude of the current qdot(t) is proportional to the driving frequency w when wRC << 1.  (The product RC is the time constant of the circuit.)  Ignore the answer given in the back of the book – we are interested in the amplitude of the oscillating current, not the instantaneous current.

 

 

4.         (5) Marion & Thornton, problem 3-29.  When they say that the “oscillation frequency” is 1 kHz, that means that w1=2p*103 s-1, where w1 is given in Eqs. (3.38) and (3.40).  From that you must calculate the value of the capacitance, so you can convert the initial voltage on the capacitor to its initial charge.

 

 

5.         (5) Marion & Thornton, problem 3-32.  You may use Mathematica to make the plots.