Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematical-methods-ii-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2015-resit/11/b/solution
Past exam of the mathematical methods II course of the University of Oxford 2015 resit 11 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Seek a separated normal mode . Substitution in the wave equation gives . For an oscillatory mode choose the separation constant :The fixed endpoints impose . In , the first condition gives , and the second requires . Nonzero displacement therefore requiresEach spatial shape has fixed nodes and an oscillating overall amplitude: a standing wave. A general lossless motion is a superposition of these standing normal modes, not necessarily one single-frequency standing wave. The solution is trivial under both fixed-end conditions and does not supply an additional vibrational mode.
New to topics? Read the docs here!