Logarithmic Decrement. a. For the damped oscillation described by equation (26), show

Chapter 3, Problem 15

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Logarithmic Decrement. a. For the damped oscillation described by equation (26), show that the time between successive maxima is Td = 2/. b. Show that the ratio of the displacements at two successive maxima is given by exp( Td/(2m)). Observe that this ratio does not depend on which pair of maxima is chosen. The natural logarithm of this ratio is called the logarithmic decrement and is denoted by . c. Show that = /(m). Since m, , and are quantities that can be measured easily for a mechanical system, this result provides a convenient and practical method for determining the damping constant of the system, which is more difficult to measure directly. In particular, for the motion of a vibrating mass in a viscous fluid, the damping constant depends on the viscosity of the fluid; for simple geometric shapes the form of this dependence is known, and the preceding relation allows the experimental determination of the viscosity. This is one of the most accurate ways of determining the viscosity of a gas at high pressure.