Problems and Solutions Section 1.4 (problems 1.65 through 1.

81)
1.65 Calculate the frequency of the compound pendulum of Figure P1.65 if a mass mT
is added to the tip, by using the energy method. Assume the mass of the pendulum
is evenly distributed so that its center of gravity is in the middle of the pendulum
of length l.

Figure P1.65 A compound pendulum with a tip mass.

Solution Adding a tip mass adds both kinetic and potential energy to the system.
If the mass of the pendulum bar is m, and it is lumped at the center of mass the
energies become:
1
U = ( −  cosθ )mg + ( −  cosθ )mt g
2
Potential Energy:

= (1− cosθ )(mg + 2mt g)
2
1  2 1  2 1 m2  2 1
T= Jθ + Jtθ = θ + mt 2θ 2
2 2 2 3 2
Kinetic Energy:
1 1
= ( m + mt )2θ 2
6 2
Conservation of energy (Equation 1.51) requires T + U = constant:
 1 1
(1− cos θ )(mg + 2mt g) + ( m + mt ) θ˙ = C
2 2

2 6 2
Differentiating with respect to time yields:
 1
(sin θ )(mg + 2mt g)θ + ( m + mt )2θθ = 0
2 3
1 1
⇒ ( m + mt )θ + (mg + 2mt g)sin θ = 0
3 2
Rearranging and approximating using the small angle formula sin θ ~ θ, yields:
⎛ m ⎞
+ mt g 3m + 6mt
⎜ 2 ⎟ g
θ(t) + ⎜ θ (t) = 0 ⇒ ω n = rad/s
1
+ ⎟ 2m + 6mt 
⎜⎝ m mt ⎟⎠
3

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 Note that this solution makes sense because if mt = 0 it reduces to the frequency of
the pendulum equation for a bar, and if m = 0 it reduces to the frequency of a
massless pendulum with only a tip mass.

1.66 Calculate the total energy in a damped system with frequency 2 rad/s and
damping ratio ζ = 0.01 with mass 10 kg for the case x0 = 0.1 m and v0 = 0. Plot
the total energy versus time.
Solution: Given: ωn = 2 rad/s, ζ = 0.01, m = 10 kg, x0 = 0.1 m, v0 = 0.
Calculate the stiffness and damped natural frequency:

k = mω n = 10(2) = 40 N/m
2 2

ω d = ω n 1− ζ 2 = 2 1 − 0.012 = 2 rad/s
The total energy of the damped system is
1 2 1
E(t ) = mx˙ (t) + kx(t)
2 2
x(t) = Ae−0.02 t sin(2t + φ )
where
x˙ (t) = −0.02 Ae−0.02 t sin(2t + φ ) + 2Ae−0.02t cos(2t + φ )
Applying the initial conditions to evaluate the constants of integration yields:
x(0) = 0.1 = Asin φ
 = 0 = −0.02Asin φ + 2Acosφ
x(0)
⇒ φ = 1.57 rad, A = 0.1 m
Substitution of these values into E(t) yields:

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 1.67 Use the energy method to calculate the equation of motion and natural frequency
of an airplane's steering mechanism for the nose wheel of its landing gear. The
mechanism is modeled as the single-degree-of-freedom system illustrated in
Figure P1.54.
(Steering wheel)

k1
J
(Tire–wheel
r k2 assembly)

x m

The steering wheel and tire assembly are modeled as being fixed at ground for
this calculation. The steering rod gear system is modeled as a linear spring and
mass system (m, k2) oscillating in the x direction. The shaft-gear mechanism is
modeled as the disk of inertia J and torsional stiffness k2. The gear J turns
through the angle θ such that the disk does not slip on the mass. Obtain an
equation in the linear motion x.
Solution: From kinematics: x = rθ ,⇒ x˙ = rθ˙
1 2 1 2
Kinetic energy: T= Jθ + mx
2 2
1 1
Potential energy: U= k 2 x 2 + k1θ 2
2 2
x 1 J 2 1 2 1 1 k1 2
Substitute θ = :T + U = 2
x + mx + k 2 x 2 + x
r 2r 2 2 2 r2
d (T + U )
Derivative: =0
dt
J k
2
xx + k2 xx + 12 xx = 0
xx + m
r r
⎡⎛ J ⎞ ⎛ k1 ⎞ ⎤
⎢⎣⎝ r 2 + m ⎠ x + ⎝ k2 + r 2 ⎠ x ⎥⎦ x = 0

⎛J ⎞ x˙˙ + ⎛ k + k1 ⎞ x = 0
Equation of motion: + m
⎝r 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 r2⎠

k1
k2 + k1 + r 2 k2
Natural frequency: ωn = r2 =
J J + mr 2
+m
r2

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 1.68 Consider the pendulum and spring system of Figure P1.68. Here the mass of the
pendulum rod is negligible. Derive the equation of motion using the energy
method. Then linearize the system for small angles and determine the natural
frequency. The length of the pendulum is l, the tip mass is m, and the spring
stiffness is k.

Figure P1.68 A simple pendulum connected to a spring

Solution: Writing down the kinetic and potential energy yields:

1 1
T = ml 2θ 2 , U = kx 2 + mgh
2 2
1
U = kl 2 sin 2 θ + mgl(1− cosθ )
2
Here the soring deflects a distance lsin θ, and the mass drops a distance l(1 –cosθ).
Adding up the total energy and taking its time derivative yields:
d ⎛ 1 2 2 1 2 2
ml θ + kl sin θ + mgl cosθ ⎞
⎝
dt 2 2 ⎠
= (ml 2θ)θ + (kl 2 sin θ cosθ )θ − mgl sin θθ = 0
⇒ ml 2θ + kl 2 sin θ cosθ − mgl sin θ = 0
For small θ, this becomes
ml 2θ + kl 2θ − mglθ = 0
kl − mg
⇒ θ + θ=0
ml
kl − mg
⇒ ωn = rad/s
ml

1.69 A control pedal of an aircraft can be modeled as the single-degree-of-freedom

system of Figure P1.69. Consider the lever as a massless shaft and the pedal as a
lumped mass at the end of the shaft. Use the energy method to determine the

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 equation of motion in θ and calculate the natural frequency of the system. Assume
the spring to be unstretched at θ = 0.
k

l1

l2

Figure P1.69
Solution: In the figure let the mass at θ = 0 be the lowest point for potential energy.
Then, the height of the mass m is (1-cosθ)2.
Kinematic relation: x = 1θ
1 2 1 2 2
Kinetic Energy: T = mx˙ = m 2θ˙
2 2
1 2
Potential Energy: U = k(1θ ) + mg 2 (1 − cosθ )
2
Taking the derivative of the total energy yields:
d
(T + U ) = m2θ˙θ˙˙ + k( 1 θ )θ˙ + mg2 (sinθ )θ˙ = 0
2 2
dt
Rearranging, dividing by dθ/dt and approximating sinθ with θ yields:
m 22θ˙˙ + (k12 + mg2 )θ = 0
k12 + mg 2
⇒ωn = 2
m2

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 1.70 To save space, two large pipes are shipped one stacked inside the other as
indicated in Figure P1.70. Calculate the natural frequency of vibration of the
smaller pipe (of radius R1) rolling back and forth inside the larger pipe (of radius
R). Use the energy method and assume that the inside pipe rolls without slipping
and has a mass m.
Large pipe

Small pipe

a' O'
R b
O
TRUCKER
R1
a

mg
Truck bed
(a) (b)

Figure P1.70

Solution: Let θ be the angle that the line between the centers of the large pipe and the
small pipe make with the vertical and let α be the angle that the small pipe rotates
through. Let R be the radius of the large pipe and R1 the radius of the smaller
pipe. Then the kinetic energy of the system is the translational plus rotational of
the small pipe. The potential energy is that of the rise in height of the center of
mass of the small pipe.

R θ
R – R1

y
R1 x

From the drawing:

y + (R − R1 )cosθ + R1 = R
⇒ y = (R − R1)(1− cos θ )
⇒ y˙ = (R − R1)sin(θ )θ˙
Likewise examination of the value of x yields:
x = (R − R1 )sinθ
⇒ x˙ = (R − R )cosθ θ˙
1
Let β denote the angle of rotation that the small pipe experiences as viewed in the

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 inertial frame of reference (taken to be the truck bed in this case). Then the total
kinetic energy can be written as:
1 1 1
T = Ttrans + Trot = mx˙ 2 + my˙2 + I0 β˙ 2
2 2 2
1 1
= m( R − R1 ) (sin θ + cos θ )θ˙ + I0 β˙
2 2 2 2 2

2 2
1 1
⇒ T = m(R − R1 )2 θ˙ 2 + I0 β˙ 2
2 2
The total potential energy becomes just:
V = mgy = mg( R − R1 )(1− cos θ)
Now it remains to evaluate the angle β. Let α be the angle that the small pipe
rotates in the frame of the big pipe as it rolls (say) up the inside of the larger pipe.
Then
β = θ–α
were α is the angle “rolled” out as the small pipe rolls from a to b in figure
P1.56. The rolling with out slipping condition implies that arc length a’b must
equal arc length ab. Using the arc length relation this yields that Rθ =R1α.
Substitution of the expression β = θ – α yields:

Rθ = R1 (θ − β ) = R1θ − R1 β ⇒ (R − R1 )θ = − R1β
1 1
⇒ β = (R1 − R)θ and β˙ = (R1 − R)θ˙
R1 R1
which is the relationship between angular motion of the small pipe relative to the
ground (β) and the position of the pipe (θ). Substitution of this last expression into
the kinetic energy term yields:
1 1 1
T = m( R − R1 ) θ˙ + I0 ( (R1 − R)θ˙ )
2 2 2

2 2 R1
⇒ T = m(R − R ) 2 θ˙2 1

Taking the derivative of T + V yields

d
(T + V ) = 2m( R − R1 )2 θ˙θ˙˙ + mg( R − R1 )sin θθ˙ = 0
dθ
⇒ 2m(R − R )2 θ˙˙ + mg( R − R )sinθ = 0
1 1
Using the small angle approximation for sine this becomes
2m(R − R1 )2 θ˙˙ + mg(R − R1 )θ = 0
g
⇒ θ˙˙ + θ=0
2(R − R1 )
g
⇒ωn =
2(R − R1 )

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 1.71 Consider the example of a simple pendulum given in Example 1.4.2. The
pendulum motion is observed to decay with a damping ratio of ζ = 0.001.
Determine a damping coefficient and add a viscous damping term to the
pendulum equation.

Solution: From example 1.4.2, the equation of motion for a simple pendulum is
g
θ + θ = 0

g
So ω n = . With viscous damping the equation of motion in normalized form

becomes:
θ˙˙ + 2ζω nθ˙ + ω n2θ = 0 or with ζ as given :
⇒ θ˙˙ + 2(.001)ω nθ˙ + ω n2θ = 0
The coefficient of the velocity term is
c c g
= 2
= (.002 )
J m 
c = ( 0.002 ) m g3

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 1.72 Determine a damping coefficient for the disk-rod system of Example 1.4.3.
Assuming that the damping is due to the material properties of the rod, determine
c for the rod if it is observed to have a damping ratio of ζ = 0.01.
Solution: The equation of motion for a disc/rod in torsional vibration is
Jθ + kθ = 0

k
or θ + ω n2θ = 0 where ω n =
J
Add viscous damping:
θ + 2ζω nθ + ω n2θ = 0
k
θ + 2 (.01) θ + ω n2θ = 0
J
From the velocity term, the damping coefficient must be

c k
J
(
= 0.02 ) J
⇒ c = 0.02 kJ
1.73 The rod and disk of Window 1.1 are in torsional vibration. Calculate the damped
natural frequency if J = 1000 m2 ⋅ kg, c = 20 N⋅ m⋅ s/rad, and k = 400 N⋅m/rad.
Solution: The equation of motion is
Jθ + cθ + kθ = 0
The damped natural frequency is
ω d = ω n 1− ζ 2

k 400
where ωn = = = 0.632 rad/s
J 1000
c 20
and ζ= = = 0.0158
2 kJ 2 400 × 1000
Thus the damped natural frequency is ω d = 0.632 rad/s

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 1.74 Consider the system of P1.74, which represents a simple model of an aircraft
landing system. Assume, x = rθ. What is the damped natural frequency?

Figure P1.74
Solution: Ignoring the damping and using the energy method the equation of
motion is
1 2 1 2 1 x
T= Jθ + mx , U = kx 2 , θ =
2 2 2 r
d d ⎛ 1 x 2
1 1 ⎞
( T + U ) = ⎜ J 2 + mx 2 + kx 2 ⎟
dt dt ⎝ 2 r 2 2 ⎠
J
x + mx
⇒
x x + kxx
r2
Thus the undamped equation of motion is:
⎛ J⎞
⎝ m + r2 ⎠ x + kx = 0
˙˙

From examining the equation of motion the natural frequency is:

k k
ωn = =
meq J
m+ 2
r
An add hoc way do to this is to add the damping force to get the damped equation
of motion:
⎛ J⎞
⎝ m + r2 ⎠ x + cx + kx = 0
˙˙ ˙

The value of ζ is determined by examining the velocity term:

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 c c 1
= 2ζω n ⇒ ζ =
J J k
m+ m+ 2
r2 r2 J
m+
r2
c
⇒ζ =
⎛ J⎞
2 k⎜m + 2 ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
Thus the damped natural frequency is
2
⎛ ⎞
k ⎜ c ⎟
ωd = ωn 1 − ζ 2 = 1− ⎜ ⎟
J ⎜ ⎛ J⎞⎟
m+
r2 ⎜ 2 k ⎜⎝ m + 2 ⎟⎠ ⎟
⎝ r ⎠

k c2 r
⇒ ωd = − = 4(kmr 2 + kJ ) − c 2 r 2
J ⎛ J⎞
2
2(mr 2 + J )
m+ 4⎜ m + 2 ⎟
r2 ⎝ r ⎠

1.75 Consider Problem 1.74 with k = 400,000 N/m, m = 1500 kg, J = 100 m2⋅kg/rad, r
= 25 cm, and c = 8000 kg/s. Calculate the damping ratio and the damped natural
frequency. How much effect does the rotational inertia have on the undamped
natural frequency?
Solution: From problem 1.74:

c k c2
ζ= and ω d = −
J J
2
4⎛ m + 2 ⎞
J
2 k⎛m + 2 ⎞ m+
⎝
⎝ r ⎠ r2 r ⎠
Given:
k = 4 × 10 5 N/m
m = 1.5 × 10 3 kg
J = 100 m 2 kg/rad
r = 0.25 m and
c = 8 × 10 3 N ⋅s/m
Inserting the given values yields

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 ζ = 0.114 and ω d = 11.29 rad/s

k
For the undamped natural frequency, ω n =
m + J / r2
With the rotational inertia, ω n = 11.36 rad/s
Without rotational inertia, ω n = 16.33 rad/s
The effect of the rotational inertia is that it lowers the natural frequency by almost
33%.

1.76 Use Lagrange’s formulation to calculate the equation of motion and the natural
frequency of the system of Figure P1.76. Model each of the brackets as a spring
of stiffness k, and assume the inertia of the pulleys is negligible.

Figure P1.76

Solution: Let x denote the distance mass m moves, then each spring will deflects
a distance x/4. Thus the potential energy of the springs is
2
1 ⎛ x⎞ k
U = 2 × k ⎜ ⎟ = x2
2 ⎝ 4⎠ 16
The kinetic energy of the mass is
1
T = mx 2
2
Using the Lagrange formulation in the form of Equation (1.64):
d ⎛ ∂ ⎛ 1 2 ⎞ ⎞ ∂ ⎛ kx 2 ⎞ d k
⎜ ⎜
dt ⎝ ∂x ⎝ 2
mx ⎟ ⎟ + ⎜
⎠ ⎠ ∂x ⎝ 16 ⎠⎟ =0⇒
dt
mx + x = 0
8
( )
k 1 k
⇒ m
x+ x = 0 ⇒ ωn = rad/s
8 2 2m

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 1.77 Use Lagrange’s formulation to calculate the equation of motion and the natural
frequency of the system of Figure P1.77. This figure represents a simplified
model of a jet engine mounted to a wing through a mechanism which acts as a
spring of stiffness k and mass ms. Assume the engine has inertia J and mass m and
that the rotation of the engine is related to the vertical displacement of the engine,
x(t) by the “radius” r0 (i.e. x = r0θ ).

Figure P1.77
Solution: This combines Examples 1.4.1 and 1.4.4. The kinetic energy is
1 1 1⎛ J⎞
T = mx 2 + Jθ 2 + Tspring = ⎜ m + 2 ⎟ x 2 + Tspring
2 2 2⎝ r0 ⎠
The kinetic energy in the spring (see example 1.4.4) is
1 ms 2
Tspring = x
2 3
Thus the total kinetic energy is
1⎛ J m⎞
T = ⎜ m + 2 + s ⎟ x 2
2⎝ r0 3⎠
The potential energy is just
1
U = kx 2
2
Using the Lagrange formulation of Equation (1.64) the equation of motion results
from:
d ⎛ ∂ ⎛ 1⎛ J ms ⎞ 2 ⎞ ⎞ ∂ ⎛ 1 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎜ ⎜ m + 2 + ⎟ x ⎟ ⎟ + ⎜ kx ⎟ = 0
dt ⎜⎝ ∂x ⎝ 2 ⎝ r0 3 ⎠ ⎠ ⎟⎠ ∂x ⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛ J m⎞
⇒ ⎜ m + 2 + s ⎟ x + kx = 0
⎝ r0 3⎠

k
⇒ ωn = rad/s
⎛ J ms ⎞
⎜m+ 2 + 3 ⎟
⎝ r0 ⎠

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 1.78 Consider the inverted simple pendulum connected to a spring of Figure P1.68.
Use Lagrange’s formulation to derive the equation of motion.

Solution: The energies are (see the solution to 1.68):

1 1
T = ml 2θ 2 , U = kx 2 + mgh
2 2
Choosing θ as the generalized coordinate, the spring compresses a distance x = l
sin θ and the mass moves a distance h = l cos θ from the reference position. So the
Lagrangian becomes:
1 1
L = T − U = ml 2θ 2 − kl 2 sin 2 θ − mgl cosθ
2 2
The terms in Lagrange’s equation are
∂L ∂L
= ml 2θ, = −kl 2 sin θ cosθ + mgl sin θ
∂θ ∂θ
Thus from the Lagrangian the equation of motion is
d ⎛ ∂L ⎞ ∂L
⎜⎝  ⎟⎠ − = ml 2θ + kl 2 sin θ cosθ − mgl sin θ = 0
dt ∂θ ∂θ
lk − mg ⎞
⇒ θ + ⎛θ=0
ml ⎠ ⎝
Where the last expression is the linearized version for small θ.

1.79 Lagrange’s formulation can also be used for non-conservative systems by adding
the applied non-conservative term to the right side of equation (1.63) to get
d ⎛ ∂T ⎞ ∂T ∂U ∂Ri
− + + =0
dt ⎜⎝ ∂qi ⎟⎠ ∂qi ∂qi ∂qi
Here Ri is the Rayleigh dissipation function defined in the case of a viscous
damper attached to ground by
1
Ri = cqi2
2
Use this extended Lagrange formulation to derive the equation of motion of the
damped automobile suspension driven by a dynamometer illustrated in Figure
P1.79. Assume here that the dynamometer drives the system such that x =rθ.

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 Figure P1.79

Solution: The kinetic energy is

1 1 1 J
T = mx 2 + Jθ 2 = (m + 2 ) x 2
2 2 2 r
The potential energy is:
1
U = kx 2
2
The Rayleigh dissipation function is
1
R = cx 2
2
The Lagrange formulation with damping becomes
d ⎛ ∂T ⎞ ∂T ∂U ∂Ri
− + + =0
dt ⎜⎝ ∂qi ⎟⎠ ∂qi ∂qi ∂qi
d ⎛ ∂ ⎛1 J 2⎞⎞ ∂ ⎛ 1 2⎞ ∂ ⎛ 1 2⎞
⇒ ⎜ (m + ) x + kx ⎟ + ⎜ cx ⎟ = 0
dt ⎝ ∂x ⎜⎝ 2 r 2 ⎟⎠ ⎟⎠ ∂x ⎜⎝ 2 ⎠ ∂x ⎝ 2 ⎠
J
x + cx + kx = 0
) ⇒ (m +
r2
1.80 Consider the disk of Figure P1.80 connected to two springs. Use the energy
method to calculate the system's natural frequency of oscillation for small angles
θ(t).
(t)

k s k
a

r x(t)

m mass

Figure P1.80

Solution:
1
Known: x = rθ , x˙ = r θ˙ and J o = mr 2
2
Kinetic energy:
1 2 1 ⎛ mr 2 ⎞  2 1 2  2
Trot = Joθ = θ = mr θ
2 2 ⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ 4
1 1
Ttrans = mx 2 = mr 2θ 2
2 2
1 1 3
T = Trot + Ttrans = mr 2θ 2 + mr 2θ 2 = mr 2θ 2
4 2 4

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 1
Potential energy: U = 2 ⎛ k [( a + r )θ ] ⎞ = k ( a + r ) θ 2
2 2
⎝2 ⎠
Conservation of energy:
T + U = Constant
d
(T + U ) = 0
dt
d ⎛ 3 2 2
mr θ + k ( a + r ) θ 2 ⎞ = 0
2

dt ⎝ 4 ⎠
3 2  
mr ( 2θθ ) + k ( a + r ) ( 2θθ
 )=0
2

4
3 2 
mr θ + 2k ( a + r ) θ = 0
2

2
Natural frequency:
2k ( a + r )
2
keff
ωn = =
meff 3 2
mr
2
a+r k
ωn = 2 rad/s
r 3m

1.81 A pendulum of negligible mass is connected to a spring of stiffness k at halfway

along its length, l, as illustrated in Figure P1.81. The pendulum has two masses
fixed to it, one at the connection point with the spring and one at the top. Derive
the equation of motion using the Lagrange formulation, linearize the equation and
compute the systems natural frequency. Assume that the angle remains small
enough so that the spring only stretches significantly in the horizontal direction.

Figure P1.81

Solution: Using the Lagrange formulation the relevant energies are:

2
1 ⎛ l ⎞ 2 1
T = m1 θ + m2l 2θ 2
2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ 2
1
U = kx 2 + m1gh1 + m2 gh2
2
From the trigonometry of the drawing:

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from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
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 l l
x = sin θ , h1 = cosθ , h2 = l cosθ
2 2

So the potential energy writing in terms of θ is:

2
1 l l
U = k ⎛ sin θ ⎞ + m1g cosθ + m2 gl cosθ
2 ⎝2 ⎠ 2
Setting L = T-U and taking the derivatives required for the Lagrangian yields:

d ⎛ ∂L ⎞ d ⎛ 1 ⎛ l ⎞  2 1 ⎞
2

⎜⎝  ⎟⎠ = ⎜ m θ + m2l 2θ 2 ⎟
dt ∂θ dt ⎝ 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠
1
2 ⎠
d ⎛1 2 2 ⎞ m1l 2 + 4m2l 2 
= m1l θ + m2l θ = θ
dt ⎝ 4 ⎠ 4

∂L kl l
−= sin θ cosθ − m1gsin θ − m2 gl sin θ
∂θ 2 2
Thus the equation of motion becomes
m1l 2 + 4m2l 2  kl l
θ + sin θ cosθ − m1gsin θ − m2 gl sin θ = 0
4 2 2
Linearizing for small θ this becomes

m1l 2 + 4m2l 2  kl l
θ + ( − m1g − m2 gl)θ = 0
4 2 2
So the natural frequency is
2k − 2m1g − 4m2 g
ωn =
m1l + 4m2l

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. This publication is protected by Copyright and written permission should be obtained
from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or likewise. For information regarding permission(s), write to: Rights and Permissions Department, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.