# Math Help - Simple Harmonic Motion Derivation of frequency

1. ## Simple Harmonic Motion Derivation of frequency

Ok i know how to deduce the angular frequency for the basic problem of:
$\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -\frac{kx}{m}$
You simple do:
$x = -\alpha cos(\omega t) + \beta sin(\omega t)$
x ' =...
x'' = ...

Hence $x'' = -\omega^{2}x$
So $\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$

But how do i do the same for the equation:
$\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -\frac{kx}{m} - \frac{b}{m}\frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{F_{0}}{m}Cos(\alpha t)$
I know it should be:

$\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}-b^{2}/4m^{2}}$

However, with the damping expression i don't think i'll be able to use the same approach

any help is much appreciated

2. Originally Posted by imagemania
Ok i know how to deduce the angular frequency for the basic problem of:
$\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -\frac{kx}{m}$
You simple do:
$x = -\alpha cos(\omega t) + \beta sin(\omega t)$
x ' =...
x'' = ...

Hence $x'' = -\omega^{2}x$
So $\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$

But how do i do the same for the equation:
$\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -\frac{kx}{m} - \frac{b}{m}\frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{F_{0}}{m}Cos(\alpha t)$
I know it should be:

$\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}-b^{2}/4m^{2}}$

However, with the damping expression i don't think i'll be able to use the same approach

any help is much appreciated
The solution at large times is a sinusoid at the driving frequency.

CB