Position of Cart attached to Wall by Spring under Damping/Critically Damped
Theorem
Problem Definition
Consider a cart $C$ of mass $m$ attached to a wall by means of a spring $S$.
Let $C$ be free to move along a straight line in a medium which applies a damping force $F_d$ whose magnitude is proportional to the speed of $C$.
Let the force constant of $S$ be $k$.
Let the constant of proportion of the damping force $F_d$ be $c$.
Let the displacement of $C$ at time $t$ from the equilibrium position be $\mathbf x$.
Let:
- $a^2 = \dfrac k m$
- $2 b = \dfrac c m$
Let $b = a$.
Then the horizontal position of $C$ at time $t$ can be expressed as:
- $x = C_1 e^{-a t} + C_2 t e^{-a t}$
where:
- $C_1$ and $C_2$ depend upon the conditions of $C$ at time $t = 0$
Such a system is defined as being critically damped.
Initial Conditions: $x = x_0$ at $t = 0$
Let $C$ be pulled aside to $x = x_0$ and released from stationary at time $t = 0$.
Then the horizontal position of $C$ at time $t$ can be expressed as:
- $x = x_0 e^{-a t} \paren {1 + a t}$
Proof
From Motion of Cart attached to Wall by Spring under Damping, the horizontal position of $C$ is given as:
- $\dfrac {\d^2 \mathbf x} {\d t^2} + \dfrac c m \dfrac {\d \mathbf x} {\d t} + \dfrac k m \mathbf x = 0$
With the given substitutions $a$ and $b$, this resolves to:
- $\dfrac {\d^2 \mathbf x} {\d t^2} + 2 b \dfrac {\d \mathbf x} {\d t} + a^2 \mathbf x = 0$
This is a homogeneous linear second order ODE with constant coefficients.
Recall that $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the roots of the auxiliary equation:
- $m^2 + 2 b + a^2 = 0$
By Solution to Quadratic Equation with Real Coefficients:
\(\ds m_1, m_2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \dfrac {- 2 b \pm \sqrt {\paren {2 b}^2 - 4 a^2} } 2\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds -b \pm \sqrt {b^2 - a^2}\) |
From the initial problem definition, we have that $k, m, c \in \R_{>0}$.
Hence $a, b \in \R_{>0}$.
Hence the nature of $m_1$ and $m_2$ is dependent upon whether $b > a$, $b = a$ or $b < a$.
When $b = a$, we have $b^2 - a^2 = 0$ and so:
- $m_1 = m_2 = -b = -a$
So from Solution of Constant Coefficient Homogeneous LSOODE: Equal Real Roots of Auxiliary Equation:
- $C_1 e^{-a x} + C_2 x e^{-a x}$
$\blacksquare$
Sources
- 1972: George F. Simmons: Differential Equations ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 3.20$: Vibrations in Mechanical Systems: $(16)$