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PRACTICE / Forced oscillations and resonance

Which frequency maximizes displacement?

A mass m = 0.50 kg, spring stiffness k = 50 N/m and viscous coefficient b = 6.0 kg/s form a linear oscillator. A sinusoidal force of fixed amplitude drives it after transients have decayed.

At what angular frequency is the displacement amplitude largest?

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • m = 0.50 kg
  • k = 50 N/m
  • b = 6.0 kg/s
  • Fixed force amplitude during the frequency sweep

Linear motion with constant parameters and positive viscous damping. The measured response is displacement amplitude, not speed amplitude or absorbed power.

  1. A28 rad/s\sqrt{28}\ \mathrm{rad/s}
  2. B10 rad/s10\ \mathrm{rad/s}
  3. C8 rad/s8\ \mathrm{rad/s}
  4. D00

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