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fluidistic
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Homework Statement
Consider 2 masses linked via 3 springs in this way |----m----m----| where the | denotes fixed walls and the ---- the springs.
The length between the walls is 2L and the natural length of each spring is b=L/3.
When we move a mass from its equilibrium position, each spring generate a potential of the form [itex]V=V_0e^{c(x-b)^2}[/itex].
1)Demonstrate that the equilibrium positions are L/3 and (2/3)L.
2)Find the normal frequencies and normal modes of the system.
Homework Equations
L=T-V.
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm having some troubles. When x=b, in other words, when the springs aren't streched, they still have a non zero potential energy stored, [itex]V_0[/itex]. I know that this is the minimal potential energy stored but still... shouldn't the masses constantly move? Hmm, I guess not.
1)So is the argument "the potential energy is minimal when the first mass is at x=b=L/3 and the second mass at [itex]x=2b=(2/3)L[/itex] so these are the equilibrium positions" valid?
2)I chose my 2 generalized coordinates as being x_1 and x_2 where x_1 is the distance the first mass streches the first spring, and x_2 the distance the second mass streches the 3rd spring.
My expression for the potential energy is then [itex]V(x_1,x_2)=V_0e^{c(x_1^2+x_2^2+x_2-x_1)}[/itex].
Usually one would approximate V(x_1,x_2) by a function, say [itex]U(x_1,x_2)[/itex] equal to [itex]\frac{k}{2}x^2[/itex]. Or in my case by a second order Taylor's expansion of a function of 2 variables. But my big problem is that [itex]V_0 \neq 0[/itex].
So even if I had only 1 spring here with 1 mass, I wouldn't know how to approximate the potential energy function.
Can someone help me here?