6

Introduction:
So far we have considered engineering systems having only one degree of

freedom. The analysis of a system having more that one degree of freedom depends on
the solution of simultaneous linear equations. In fact, such equations form the basis of
the theory of projectiles and the coupled circuits having self and mutual inductance.
In other way, we now discuss the differential equations involving more than one
dependent variables each of which is a function of 2 single independent variable.
The details of such applications are best explained through the following
examples:
Projectile with resistance
Q.No.1.: Find the path of a particle projected with a velocity v at an angle to the
horizon in a medium whose resistance, apart from gravity, varies as velocity.
Also find the greatest height attained.
Sol.: Let the axes of x and y be respectively horizontal and vertical with origin at the
point of projection.
6 66 6
th th th th
Topic Topic Topic Topic
Applications of Applications of Applications of Applications of
Linear Differential Equations Linear Differential Equations Linear Differential Equations Linear Differential Equations
Applications of simultaneous linear differential equations
Electric circuits

Prepared by:
Dr. Sunil
NIT Hamirpur (HP)
(Last updated on 20-08-2007)
Applications of Linear Differential Equations: Simultaneous linear differential equations
Prepared by: Dr. Sunil, NIT Hamirpur (HP)
2
Let P(x, y) be the position of the projectile at the time t, where the velocity components
parallel to the axes are
dt
dx
v
x
= ,
dt
dy
v
y
= .
The equations of motion are:
Parallel to x-axis:
x
x
mkv
dt
dv
m =
x
x
kv
dt
dv
= .
Separating the variables and integrating, we have
1 x 1
x
x
c kt v log c dt k
v
dv
+ = + =

.
Initially, when t = 0, = cos u v
x
, = sin u v
y
. ( )
1
c cos u log = .
Substituting the value of
1
c , we get
kt
x
x
e cos u v
dt
dx
kt
cos u
v
log

= = = |
\
|
. (i)
Parallel to y-axis:
y
y
mkv mg
dt
dv
m = ( )
y
y
kv g
dt
dv
+ = .
Separating the variables and integrating, we have
( )
2 y 2
y
y
c t kv g log
k
1
c dt
kv g
dv
+ = + + =
+

.
Initially, when t = 0, = sin u v
y
. ( )
2
c sin ku g log
k
1
= + .
Substituting the value of
2
c , we get
( ) [ ] g e sin ku g
k
1
v
dt
dy
t
sin ku g
kv g
log
k
1
kt
y
y
+ = = =
|
|
\
|
+
+
. (ii)
Now
kt
x
e cos u v
dt
dx

= = and ( ) [ ] g e sin ku g
k
1
v
dt
dy
kt
y
+ = =

.
Integrating both equations, we get
3
kt
c e
k
cos u
x +
=

,
4
kt
c t
k
g
e sin u
k
g
k
1
y + |
\
|
+ =

.
3
Initially, when t = 0, x = 0, y = 0.
3
c
k
cos u
0 +
= and
4
c sin u
k
g
k
1
0 + |
\
|
+ = .
k
cos u
c
3
= and
|
\
|
+ = sin u
k
g
k
1
c
4
.
Substituting the values of
1
c and
2
c , we get
( )
kt
e 1
k
cos u
x

= , (iii)
( )
k
gt
e 1 sin u
k
g
k
1
y
kt
|
\
|
+ =

. (iv)
Equation of trajectory:
Eliminating t from (iii) and (iv), we obtain
|
\
|
\
|
+ =
cos u
kx
1 log
k
g
cos u
x
sin u
k
g
y
2
,
which is the required equation of trajectory.
Find the greatest height attained:
The projectile will attain the greatest height when 0
dt
dy
= .
i.e. when 0
k
g
sin u
k
g
e
kt
= |
\
|
+
( ) +
=

sin ku g
g
e
kt
.
i.e. at time
|
|
\
|
+ =
g
sin ku
1 log
k
1
t .
Substituting the value of t in (iv), we get the greatest height attained
( )
|
|
\
|
+
= =
g
sin ku
1 log
k
g
k
sin u
y
2
.
Q.No.2.: Two projectiles each of mass m gm are suspended from two springs of same
stiffness k. After the system comes to rest, the lower mass is pulled l cm
downwards and released. Discuss their motion.
Sol.: Let x and y denote the displacement of the upper and lower masses at time t from
their respective positions of equilibrium.
Then, the stretch of the upper spring is x and that of the lower spring is x y .
4
The restoring force acting on the upper mass
( ) ( ) x 2 y k x y k kx = + = and that on the lower mass ( ) x y k = .
Thus their equations of motion are
( ) x 2 y k
dt
x d
m
2
2
= and ( ) x y k
dt
y d
m
2
2
=
( ) 0 ky x k 2 mD
2
= + , (i)
and ( ) 0 kx y k mD
2
= + (ii)
Operating (i) by ( ) k mD
2
+ and adding to k times (ii), we get
( )( ) [ ] 0 x k k 2 mD k mD
2 2 2
= + + ( ) 0 x D 3 D
2 2 4
= + + , where . m / k
2
=
Its auxiliary equation is 0 m 3 m
2 2 4
= + +
( )
2
4 9 3
m
2 2
2

=
= 62 . 2 ,
2 2
, 38 . 0 = (say) = i , i m .
Thus, t sin c t cos c t sin c t cos c x
4 3 2 1
+ + + = . (iii)
Also from (i),
( ) ( ) t sin c t cos c 2 t sin c t cos c 2 x 2
D
y
4 3
2
2 1
2 2
+
|
|
\
|
+ +
|
|
\
|
=
|
|
\
|
+
= . (iv)
Initially when t = 0, l = = y x , 0
dt
dy
dt
dx
= = .
From (iii)
3 1
c c + = l ;
4 2
c c 0 + =
and from (iv)
3
2
1
2
c 2 c 2
|
|
\
|
+
|
|
\
|
= l and
4
2
2
2
c 2 c 2 0
|
|
\
|
+
|
|
\
|
=
( )
2 2
2
1
c

=
l
,
( )
2 2
2
3
c

=
l
, 0 c c
4 2
= = .
Substituting these values of constants in (iii) and (iv), we get x and y which shows that
the motion of spring is a combination of two simple harmonic motions of periods
2
and
2
.
5
Q.No.3.: A particle is projected with velocity u making an angle with the horizontal.
Neglecting air resistance, show that the equation of its path is the parabola.

=
2 2
2
cos u 2
gx
tan x y .
Find the time of flight, the greatest height attained and the range on the
horizontal plane.
Sol.: Let a particle of mass m be projected from a point O with velocity u in a direction
making an angle with the horizontal. Let the horizontal and the vertical lines through
O in the plane of motion of the particle be taken as the axes of x and y respectively. Let
P(x, y) be the position of the particle at time t.
The horizontal and vertical components of u are cos u and sin u respectively.
The only force acting on the particle is its weight mg acting vertically downwards.
The equation of motion are
Parallel to x-axis: 0
dt
x d
m
2
2
= 0
dt
x d
2
2
= . (i)
Parallel to y-axis: mg
dt
y d
m
2
2
= g
dt
x d
2
2
= . (ii)
Integrating (i) w.r.t. t, we get
1
c
dt
dx
= .
Initially, when t = 0, = cos u
dt
dx
. = cos u
dt
dx
(iii)
Integrating w.r.t. t, we get ( )
2
c t cos u x + = .
Initially, when t = 0, x = 0 0 c
2
= . ( )t cos u x = . (iv)
Integrating (ii) w.r.t t , we get
3
c gt
dt
dy
+ = .
Initially, when t = 0, x = 0, = sin u
dt
dy
, so that = sin u c
3
. gt sin u
dt
dy
= .(v)
Integrating w.r.t. t, we get ( )
4
2
c gt
2
1
t sin u y + = .
Initially, when t = 0, y = 0 0 c
4
= . ( )
2
gt
2
1
t sin u y = . (vi)
6
Equation (iv) and (vi) give the position of the particle at any time t. The equation of the
path described by the particle is obtained by eliminating the parameter t between equation
(iv) and (vi).
From (iv),
=
cos u
x
t .
Substituting this value of t in (vi), ( )
|
|
\
|
=
2 2
2
cos u
x
g
2
1
cos u
x
. sin u y
=
2 2
2
cos u 2
gx
tan x y , (vii)
which is the equation of the path of the particle. Clearly, the path is a parabola.
The time of flight of the projectile is the time taken by the particle to reach the
horizontal plane through O.
At the point A, y = 0.
From (vi), ( )
2
gt
2
1
t sin u 0 =
g
sin u 2
t

=
At the highest point, the vertical component of velocity vanishes, i.e. 0
dt
dy
= .
so that
g
sin u
t 0 gt sin u

= = .
The greatest height =
|
\
|
= 0
dt
dy
when y ( )
|
|
\
|
= =
g
sin u
when t gt
2
1
t sin u
2

g 2
sin u
g 2
sin u
g
sin u
g
sin u
. g
2
1
g
sin u
. sin u
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
= .
The range R( = OA) is the horizontal distance covered by the particle in the time of
flight.
g
2 sin u
g
sin u 2
cos u R
2
= .
Q.No.4.: The equations of motion of an electron under certain conditions are
eE
dt
dy
eH
dt
x d
m
2
2
= + , (i)
7
0
dt
dx
eH
dt
y d
m
2
2
= , (ii)
with conditions 0
dt
dy
y
dt
dx
x = = = = , when t = 0, find the path of the electron.
or
Under certain conditions, the motion of an electron is given by the equations
eE
dt
dy
eH
dt
x d
m
2
2
= + and 0
dt
dx
eH
dt
y d
m
2
2
= . Find the path of the electron is
given by the equation, if it started from rest at the origin.
Sol.: Multiplying (ii) by an arbitrary constant and adding to (i), we get
( ) ( ) eE x y
dt
d
eH y x
dt
d
m
2
2
= + +
( ) eE y
1
x
dt
d
eH y x
dt
d
m
2
2
= |
\
|
+ . (iii)
Now choose , such that y x y
1
x + =

then 1
1
2
=
= so that i = .
Putting u y x = + in (iii), we get
m
eE
dt
du
dt
u d
eE
dt
du
eH
dt
u d
m
2
2
2
2
= = , where
m
eH
= . (iv)
Its auxiliary equation is 0 m m
2
= = , 0 m .
C.F.
t
Be A

+ = ,
and P.I.
t 0
2 2
e
D D
1
.
m
eE
m
eE
D D
1

=

=
t 0
e
D 2
1
.
H
Et

=
|
\
|
=
m
eH
Q

=
H
Et 1
.
H
Et
.
The complete solution of (iv) is
+ =

H
Et
Be A u
t
+ = +

H
Et
Be A y x
t
.
8
Putting i = and i , the solutions of the given equations are
iH
Et
e c c iy x
t i
2 1
+ = +

H
iEt
e c c iy x
t i
2 1
+ + = +

(v)
and
iH
Et
e c c iy x
t i
4 3
+ + =

H
iEt
e c c iy x
t i
4 3
+ =

. (vi)
Differentiating (v) and (vi) w. r. t., we have
H
iE
e c i
dt
dy
i
dt
dx
t i
2
+ = +

(vii)
and
H
iE
e c i
dt
dy
i
dt
dx
t i
4
=

(viii)
Since 0
dt
dy
dt
dx
y x = = = = when t = 0, we have from equations (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii).
2 1
c c 0 + = ,
4 3
c c 0 + = ,
H
iE
c i 0
2
+ = ,
H
iE
c i 0
4
= ,
which give
= =
H
E
c c
2 1
and
= =
H
E
c c
4 3
.
Equations (v) and (vi) become
H
iEt
e
H
E
H
E
iy x
t i
+
= +

, (ix)
H
iEt
e
H
E
H
E
iy x
t i
=

. (x)
Adding (ix) and (x), we have ( )
t i t i
e e
H
E
H
E 2
x 2

+
=
|
|
\
|
+
=

2
e e
H
E
H
E
x
t i t i
( ) t cos 1
H
E
x
= .
Subtracting (x) and (ix), we have ( )
H
iEt 2
e e
H
E
iy 2
t i t i
+
=

H
Et
i 2
e e
H
E
y
t i t i
+
|
|
\
|

=

( ) t sin t
H
E
y
= ,
which is the required path of the electron.
9
Electric circuits
Q.No.5.: Two coils of a transformer are identical with resistance R, inductance L, mutual
inductance M and a voltage E is impressed on the primary. Determine the
currents in coils at any instant, assuming that there is no current in either
initially.
Sol. Let i
1
, i
2
ampere be the currents flowing through the primary and secondary coils at
time t sec.
Then, by Kirchhoffs law, we know that the sum of the voltage drops across R, L and M
= applied voltage.
For the primary circuit, E
dt
di
M
dt
di
L Ri
2 1
1
= + +
and for the secondary circuit, 0
dt
di
M
dt
di
L Ri
2 2
2
= + + .
Replacing
dt
d
by D and rearranging the terms,
( ) E MDi i R LD
2 1
= + + , (i)
( ) 0 i R LD MDi
2 1
= + + . (ii)
Eliminating i
2
, we get ( ) [ ] ( )E R LD i D M R LD
1
2 2 2
+ = +
( ) [ ] RE i R LRD 2 D M L
1
2 2 2 2
= + + . (iii)
Its auxiliary equation is ( ) 0 R LRm 2 m M L
2 2 2 2
= + +
M L
R
m
+
= ,
M L
R
.
As L is usually > M, therefore both values of m are negative and real.
C.F.=
M L
Rt
2
M L
Rt
1
e c e c

+ .
and P.I.
( )
R
E
e
R LRD 2 D M L
1
. RE
t . 0
2 2 2 2
=
+ +
= .
Thus, the complete solution of (ii) is
( ) ( )
R
E
e c e c i
M L
Rt
2
M L
Rt
1 1
+ + =

. (iv)
Also from (ii), we have
10
1 2
i
R LD
MD
i
+
=
( ) ( )
|
\
|
+
|
|
|
\
|
+
+
=

R
E
R LD
MD
e c e c
R LD
MD
M L
Rt
2
M L
Rt
1

( ) ( ) M L
Rt
2 M L
Rt
1
De .
R
M L
R
L
Mc
De .
R
M L
R
L
Mc
+
|
\
|
+
|
\
|
+
=

( ) ( ) M L
Rt
2
M L
Rt
1
e c e c

= . (v)
Initially, when t = 0, i
1
= i
2
= 0.
R
E
c c
2 1
= + , 0 c c
2 1
= .
R 2
E
c c
2 1
= = .
Substituting the values of c
1

and c
2
in (iv) and (v), we get
( ) ( )
(
(
(
M L
Rt
M L
Rt
1
e e 2
R 2
E
i , (vi)
( ) ( )
(
(
(
=
+
M L
Rt
M L
Rt
2
e e
R 2
E
i . (vii)
Thus, (vi) and (vii) give the currents at any instant.

*** *** *** *** ***
*** *** ***
***
Home Assignments
Q.No.1: An inclined plane makes angle with the horizontal. A projectile is launched
from the bottom of the inclined plane with speed V in a direction making an
angle with the horizontal. Set up the differential equations and find
(i) the range on the incline,
(ii) the maximum range up the incline.
11
Ans.: (i)
( )

2
2
cos g
cos sin u 2
, (ii)
( ) + sin 1 g
u
2
.
Q.No.2: A particle of unit mass is projected with velocity u at an inclination above the
horizon in a medium whose resistance is k times the velocity. Show that its
direction will again make an angle with the horizon after a time
|
|
\
|
+ sin
g
ku 2
1 log
k
1
.
Sol.:
Q.No.3: The motion of a particle is governed by the equations 0 ny x = ,
a n nx y
2
= + , when x = y = x = y = 0 at t = 0.
Find x and y terms of t.
Ans.: ( ) nt sin nt a x = , ( ) nt cos 1 a y = .
Q.No.4: Two particles each of mass m gm are suspended from two springs of same
stiffness k. After the system comes to rest, the lower mass is pulled 1 cm down
wards and released. Discuss the motion.
Ans.: Combination of two harmonic motions.
Q.No.5: In a chemical transformation of certain substance, following equations occur
0 ax
dt
dx
= + , by
dt
dz
= , a + x + y = c, then show that
( )
bt at
ae be
b a
c
c z

+ = .
Sol.:
Q.No.6: A particle moving in a plane is subjected to a force directed towards a fixed
point O and proportional to the distance of the particle from O. Show that the
differential equations of motion are of the form x k
dt
x d
2
2
2
= , y k
dt
y d
2
2
2
= .
Find the Cartesian equations of path of the particle of x = 1, y = 0, 0
dt
dx
= and
2
dt
dy
= , when t = 0.
12
Ans.: 4 y k x 4
2 2 2
= + .
Q.No.7: The motion of a particle is governed by the equations 0
d
dy
n
dt
x d
2
2
= ,
a n
d
dx
n
dt
y d
2
2
2
= + , where 0
dt
dy
dt
dx
y x = = = = at t = 0.
Find x and y in terms of t.
Ans.: ( ) nt sin nt a x = , ( ) nt cos 1 a y = .
Electric circuits
Q.No.8: The currents i
1
and i
2
in two coupled circuits are given by
( ) E i i R Ri
dt
di
L
2 1 1
1
= + + , ( ) 0 i i R Ri
dt
di
L
2 1 2
2
= + , where L, R, E are
constants. Find i
1
and i
2
in terms of t given that 0 i i
2 1
= + at t = 0.
Ans.:
|
|
|
\
|
=

L
Rt 3
L
Rt
1
e
6
1
e
2
1
3
2
R
E
i ,
|
|
|
\
|
+ =

L
Rt 3
L
Rt
2
e
6
1
e
2
1
3
1
R
E
i
Q.No.9: The currents i
1
and i
2
in mesh are given by the equations, pt cos a i
dt
di
2
1
= ,
pt sin a i
dt
di
1
2
= + , Find i
1
and i
2
if 0 i i
2 1
= + at t = 0.
Ans.: pt sin
p
a
i
1
+
= , pt cos
p
a
i
2
+
= .
Q.No.10: The voltage V and the current i at a distance x from the source satisfy the
equation Ri
dt
dV
= , GV
dx
di
= , where R, G are constants. If V = V
0
at x = 0
and V = 0 at the receiving end l = x , show that
( )
l
l
n sinh
x n sinh
V V
0
= ,
( )
l
l
n sinh
x n cosh
.
R
G
V
i
0

|
\
|
= , where RG n
2
= .
Ans.:
*** *** *** *** ***
*** *** ***
13
***

6

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

6

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction:

So far we have considered engineering systems having only one degree of

You might also like