Aging Spring and Bessel Functions
A model for a mass-spring system with an aging spring. Without damping, the displacement x(t) at time t is governed by the equation
mx''(t) + ke-ηtx(s) = 0,
where m, k, and η are positive constants. The general solution to this equation can be expressed using Bessel functions.
The coefficient of x suggests a change of variables of the form s = αeβt. Show that transforms into
(b) Show that choosing a and 13 to satisfy
η/β = 2 and k/mβ2α-η/β = 1
transforms (10) into the Bessel equation of order 0 in s and x.
(c) Using the result of part (b). show that a general solution to (9) is given by
x(t) = c1J0(2/η√k/me-ηt/2) + c2Y0(2/η√k/me-ηt/2) ,
where Jo and Yo are the Bessel functions of order 0 of the first and second kind, respectively.
(d) Discuss the behavior of the displacement x(t) for c2 positive, negative, and zero.
(e) Compare the behavior of the displacement x(t) for t a small positive number and η a large positive number.