Applications of Linear Differential Equations

The linear differential equations with constant coefficients find their most important
applications in the study of electrical, mechanical and other linear systems. In fact such equations
play a dominant role in unifying the theory of electrical and mechanical oscillatory systems.

Here we explain the types of oscillations of the mechanical systems and the equivalent
electrical circuits.

Mass Spring Systems

Hooke’s Law: Hooke's law is a law of physics that states that the force (F) needed to extend or
compress a spring by some distance x scales linearly with respect to that displacement.

Newton’s Second law of motion: Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object
is directly proportional to the net force acting on it, and inversely proportional to its mass.

Types of Oscillations: -

(i)Free oscillations (ii)Damped oscillations (iii)Forced oscillations

(i) Free Oscillations: Suppose a mass m is suspended from the end A of a

light spring, the other end of which is fixed at O. (Fig. 1)
Let e (=AB) be the elongation produced by the mass m hanging in
equilibrium. If k be the restoring force per unit stretch of the spring due to
elasticity, then for the equilibrium at B, mg  T  ke
At any time t, after the motion ensues, let the mass be at P, where BP=x.
d 2x
Then the equation of motion of m is m  mg  k (e  x)  kx
dt 2
k d 2x
If we take   , the above equation becomes
2
2
  2 x  0 ---- (1)
m dt Fig. 1
This equation represents the free vibrations of the spring which are of the
simple harmonic form having centre of oscillations at B (its equilibrium
2 e
position) and the period of oscillation =  2
 g
(ii) Damped Oscillations: If the mass m be subjected to do damping force proportional to
velocity (say r dx dt ) (Fig.2), then the equation of motion becomes
d 2x dx
m 2
 mg  k (e  x)  r .
dt dt
d 2x dx
On simplification, we get m 2
 kx  r . ---- (2)
dt dt
r k d 2x dx
If we take  2b and   , the above equation becomes 2  2b   2 x  0 . ---- (3)
2

m m dt dt
The auxiliary equation is, m2  2bm   2  0 , for which the roots are m  b  b2   2 .
Case I: When b 2   2 , the roots of the auxiliary equation are real and distinct.
In this case, the damping force on the system dominates the natural oscillations.
Therefore, the motion is non-oscillatory and is referred as over-damped or dead-beat motion.
Case II: When b 2   2 , the roots of the auxiliary equation are real and equal.
In this case, the damping frequency is equal to the frequency of the free oscillations.
Hence, the body acquires its equilibrium position much rapidly than in case I. Such a motion is
called critically damped motion.
Case III: When b 2   2 , the roots of the auxiliary equation are imaginary.
In this case, the damping frequency subordinates that of free oscillations. Hence, the
effect of damping increases the period of oscillations and the motion ultimately dies away. Such
a motion is called under damped motion.

(iii) Forced Oscillations: If the point of the support of the spring is also vibrating with some
external periodic force, then the resulting motion is called the forced oscillatory motion.
Taking the external periodic force in be mp cos nt , the equation of motion is
d 2x
m  kx  mp cos nt (ignoring damping forces)
dt 2
d 2x
Rewriting the above, we get 2   2 x  p cos nt
dt
When the damping forces are considered, the above equation becomes
d 2x dx
2
 2b   2 x  p cos nt
dt dt
Mathematical Models in various cases (Summary):
S.No. Model Differential Equations Remarks
1 Free Oscillations d 2x k
 2x  0  2
dt 2 m
2 Damped Oscillations d 2x dx k r
 2b   2 x  0   2 and  2b
dt 2
dt m m
3 Forced Oscillations d 2x dx
2
 2b   2 x  p cos nt
(with damping) dt dt
4 Forced Oscillations d 2x
2
  2 x  p cos nt
(with out damping) dt

If the solution is Acos t then

(i) Period of oscillations is 2 / 
(ii) Amplitude is A
(iii) Maximum velocity = A  

Problems
1. An elastic string of natural length a is fixed at one end and a particle of mass m hangs freely
from the other end. The modulus of elasticity is mg. The particle is pulled down a further
distance l below its equilibrium position and released from rest. Show that the motion of the
particle is simple harmonic and find the periodicity.
2. A mass of 4 lb suspended from a light elastic string of natural length 3 feet extends it to a
distance 2 feet. One end of the string is fixed and a mass of 2 lb is attached to other. The
mass is held so that the string is just unstretched and is then let go. Find the amplitude, the
period and the maximum velocity of the ensuing simple harmonic motion.
3. A body weighing 10 kg is hung from a spring. A pull of 20 kg. wt. will stretch the spring to
10 cm. The body is pulled down to 20 cm below the static equilibrium position and then
released. Find the displacement of the body from its equilibrium position at time t sec., the
maximum velocity and the period of oscillation.
4. A 4 lb weight on a string stretches it 6 in. Assuming that a damping force in lbw t. equal to λ
times the instantaneous velocity in ft/sec. acts on the weight, show that the motion is over
damped, critically damped or oscillatory according as λ > = < 2. Find the period of
oscillation when λ = 1.5.
5. A spring of negligible weight which stretches 1 inch under tension of 2 lb is fixed at one end
and is attached to a weight of lb at the other. It is found that resonance occurs when an
axial periodic force 2 cos 2t lb acts on the weight. Show that when the free vibrations have
died out, the forced vibrations are given by x = ct sin 2t, and find the values of and c.
6. A 64 lb weight stretches a spring 6 inches in equilibrium. There’s also a damping component
at C ft/sec. Write an equation for which the motion is critically damped and find the solution
if

Oscillatory Electrical Circuit:

(i) L-C Circuit
Consider an electric Circuit containing an inductance L and Capacitance C.
Let ‘i’ be the current and ‘q’ be the charge in the condenser plate at any time t, so that the voltage

drop across and the voltage drop across

As there is no applied e.m.f. in the circuit, therefore, by Kirchhoff’s first law, we have

Or dividing by L and writing , we get

This equation represents the free electrical oscillations of the current having period .
Thus the discharging of a condenser through an inductance L is same as the motion of the mass
m at the end of a spring.
(ii) L-C-R Circuit
Now consider the discharging of a condenser C through an inductance L and the resistance R

Since the voltage drop across L,Cand R are respectively ,

By Kirchhoff’s law, we have

Or writing , we have
Thus the charging or discharging of a condenser through the resistance R and an inductance L is
an electrical analogue of the damped oscillations of mass m on a spring.
(iii) L-C Circuit with e.m.f. = p cos nt

The equation for an L-C circuit , now becomes

Or writing , we have

Thus the condenser placed in series with source of e.m.f. (=p cos nt) and discharging through a
coil containing inductance L is an electrical analogue of the forced oscillations of the mass m on
a spring.
An electrical instance of resonance phenomena occurs while tuning a radio station, for the
natural frequency of the tuning of L-C Circuit is made equal to the frequency of the desired radio
station, giving the maximum output of the receiver at the said receiving station.

(iv) L-C-R Circuit with e.m.f. = p cos nt

The equation for an L-C-R circuit , now becomes

 .

Or writing , we have

In the solution of the above differential equation, its Complementary function represents the free
oscillations of the circuit whereas the Particular Integral represents the forced oscillations

Also, as t increases, the free oscillations die out while the forced oscillations persist giving
steady motion.
Thus the L-C-R circuit with a source of alternating e.m.f. is an electrical equivalent of the
mechanical phenomena of forced oscillations with resistance.

 Kirchhoff’s law: Sum of voltage drops across a closed circuit is equal to external e.m.f.
 Current is the rate of flow of electricity


Basic Relations
1) The algebraic sum of the voltage drops around any closed circuit is equal to the resultant
electro motive force in the circuit.
2) The algebraic sum of the currents flowing into (or from) any node is zero.
Problems
1. The differential equation for a circuit in which self inductance and capacitance neutralize

each other is . Find the current i as a function of t given that I is the

maximum current and i = 0 when t = 0.
2. A condenser of capacity C discharged through an inductance L and resistance R in a

series and the charge q at time t satisfies the equation . Given

-6
that L = 0.25 henries, R = 250 ohms, c = 2 X 10 farads and that when t = 0, charge q is

0.002 coulombs and the current . Obtain the value of q in terms of t.

3. An e.m.f. E sin pt is applied at t = 0 to a circuit containing a capacitance C and

inductance L. The current I satisfies the equation . If

and initially the current I and the charge q are zero, show that the current at

time t is , where .
4. For an L-C-R circuit, the charge q on a plate of the condenser is given by

, where . The circuit is tuned to resonance so

that . If and initially q = 0, I = 0, show that

where .