Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematical-methods-i-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2016-resit/11/iii/solution
Past exam of the mathematical methods I course of the University of Oxford 2016 resit 11 iii Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
The moving equilibrium produces a forced harmonic oscillator:A particular solution is , where . The denominator equals , so it cannot vanish for real under the given underdamping condition. Imposing both initial conditions givesFor , , so the entire oscillatory term vanishes:The body is tracking an exponentially moving equilibrium without oscillation. There is no spring extension in this special motion: linear drag alone supplies . An underdamped homogeneous equation does not require every forced solution to contain an oscillatory transient.
Free damped oscillations and exact tracking of an exponentially moving equilibrium
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