Pre-class Exercise #10: harmonic oscillator driven by a square wave

U-drive: choose the F and w:

 F0 =   Note: keep |F|<6

w =   Note: keep w>0

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This physlet simulates a harmonic oscillator driven by a square wave.  The natural frequency of the oscillator is 1.414 so oscillations grow quickly when the object is driven at this frequency.  Find another drive frequency that is a multiple or fraction of the natural frequency and that also gives rise to growing oscillations.  Explain why the new frequency is effective.  What other frequencies would work?

 

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This Physlet was written by Tim Gfroerer and scripted by Mario Belloni.