Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Problem Set 4 on Coupled Oscillations, Physics of Waves 2025 (Autumn)
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1. Find the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the following matrix .
1 3
2 −3 0
2. Find all eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors for the matrix A = 2 −5 0.
0 0 3
3. Consider the model of a linear triatomic molecule with the two outer atoms of
equal mass m connected to a central atom of mass M by two identical springs of
stiffness ‘s’ as shown in the figure below. Find the normal frequencies and normal
modes of vibration of the system.
q
[Ans: ω1 = 0, ω2 = m , ω3 = ms + M
ps 2s
]
m M m
4. Find out the frequencies of the normal modes for the following coupled pendula
(see figure below) for small oscillations. Calculate time period for beats.
[Ans: ω1 = 3s−1 , ω2 = 3.04s−1 , Tb = 100π s]
5. Suppose two pendulums of different masses m1 and m2 but having the same natural
frequency ω0 are suspended from a common thick thread. Due to the coupling,
one pendulum exerts a force on the other proportional to the acceleration of the
former.
(a) Justify that this proportionality constant can be taken to be the same for
both pendulums.
(b) Set up the coupled equations and find the normal frequencies.
6. Consider the coupled LC circuits shown in the figure below. The circuits are driven
with a voltage V (t) = V0 sin(ωt) at one end. Write the equations for the currents
Ia and Ib . Find the normal modes. Explain how the above circuits can act as an
electrical low-pass filter.
q
[Ans: ω1 = LC0 , ω2 = LC1 0 + LC
√ 1 2
]
7. Two bodies of masses m1 and m2 connected by a spring of spring constant k,
can move along a horizontal line (axis of the spring). A periodic force F cos(ωt)
is exerted on the body of mass m1 along the line. Find the expressions for the
displacements of the two masses.
8. In the steady state forced vibration, what is the power supplied by the driving
force averaged over a cycle.
(a) Find the two values of ω, namely ω1 and ω2 at which the power P is half of
that at resonance and show that ω1 .ω2 = ω02 . (ω0 is the natural frequency)
(b) Show that the full width of the power resonance curve at half maximum =
2b
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