This topic is mapped with CO3 and CO4 of course

FORCED HARMONIC OSCILLATOR

Introduction

We have seen that the mechanical energy of a damped oscillator decreases in time
as a result of the resistive force. It is possible to compensate for this energy
decrease by applying a periodic external force that does positive work on the
system. At any instant, energy can be transferred into the system by an applied
force that acts in the direction of motion of the oscillator. For example, a child on
a swing can be kept in motion by appropriately timed “pushes.” The amplitude of
motion remains constant if the energy input per cycle of motion exactly equals
the decrease in mechanical energy in each cycle that results from resistive forces.
If an extra periodic force is applied on a damped harmonic oscillator, then the
oscillating system is called driven or forced harmonic oscillator, and its
oscillations are called forced oscillations.

Important Points To Remember:

Figure 1: Mass with Spring[1]

• Such external periodic force can be represented by

 Capture.JPG

Where, F0 is the amplitude of the periodic force and ωf is the frequency of

external force causing oscillations.

• Differential equation of motion under forced oscillations is

• In this case particle will neither oscillate with its free undamped frequency nor
with damped angular frequency rather would it be forced to oscillate with
angular frequency ωfof applied force.
• When damped oscillator is set in forced motion, the initial motion is
combination of damped oscillation and forced oscillations.
• After certain amount of time the amplitude of damped oscillations die out or
become so small that they can be ignored and only forced oscillation remained
the motion is thus said to reach steady state.
• Solution of above equation is

• Incase of forced oscillations both amplitude A and initial phase φ are fixed
quantities depending on frequency ωf of applied force.
• Calculations shows that amplitude
 Figure 2: Damping[1]

• This phenomenon of increase in amplitude when the driving force is close to

natural frequency of oscillator is called RESONANCE.
 Figure 3: Different Oscillations[2]

• Thus resonance occurs when frequency of applied force becomes equal to

natural frequency of the oscillator without damping.

REFERENCES

Books:

1. Waves and vibrations George C. King School of Physics & Astronomy, The
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK ISBN978-0-470-01188-1 – ISBN
978-0-470-01189-8
2. Fundamentals of Vibrations and Waves, S.P. Puri, 1st Edition.

Web Links:

1. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/16-8-forced-oscillations-
and-resonance/
2. https://www.toppr.com/ask/content/concept/free-and-forced-oscillations-
209249/
3. https://www.khanacademy.org/partner content/pixar/simulation/hair-simulation
code/v/sim8-fix
4. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/oscdr2.html

Courses:

1. https://nptel.ac.in/content/storage2/courses/115106068/STiCM/Unit%2002%20
L%2007%20to%20L10%20-%20Oscillators%20Resonances%20Waves.pdf
2. https://swayam.gov.in/nd1_noc20_ph22/preview

E Books:

1. https://www.amazon.in/Engineering-Physics-D-K-Bhattacharya/dp/0199452814
2. https://www.amazon.in/Physics-Semiconductor-Devices-Simon-
Sze/dp/0471143235
3. https://www.amazon.in/Lasers-Non-Linear-Optics-B-B-
Laud/dp/8122430562/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=laser+and+nonlinear+o
ptics&qid=1592948185&s=books&sr=1-2

Video Links:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkR2KETqDBI
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEYPjfYslLw&t=45s