Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2008/iii/paper-83/3/b/solution

The overdamped filament bending equation is linear, so sinusoidal forcing has a sinusoidal steady response at the same frequency. Write with . Substitution gives
Using the elastohydrodynamic penetration length from the previous part reduces this ordinary differential equation to
The boundary conditions become , , and decay of and its derivatives at infinity. The derivative condition expresses zero bending moment at the driven end, rather than a clamped slope. This separation of variables constructs the periodic response; an unspecified initial shape can add a transient solution of the homogeneous evolution problem.

New to topics? Read the docs here!