ABSTRACT
An analysis of the motion in mass/spring systems was begun in an earlier chapter, with emphasis on the motion of unforced springs. With the method of undetermined coefficients for dealing with nonhomogeneous differential equations, it is now possible to expand the investigation of mass/spring systems to systems that are under the influence of outside forces such as gravity or someone pushing and pulling the mass in a regular manner. It should be noted that the limitations of the method of undetermined coefficients will limit the types of forces that can be considered. Still, the forces that can be considered happen to be particularly relevant to mass/spring systems and other similar mechanical and electrical systems that can oscillate. Of particular interest, in this chapter, is the study of how sinusoidal forces can lead to the phenomena of “resonance” and “beats” in undamped systems, and the extent to which “near resonance” and occur in damped systems.
