Unit 7 – a summary

This week’s unit looked at modelling simple harmonic motion.
It was approached by making use of previously-developed methods and includes some straightforward differential equations and integration.

While problems relating to multiple springs dont encounter much extra maths, they do require a facility in keeping a close eye on exactly what you’re trying to do.

The entire unit can largely be written up into a 30-or-so point check list, with familarity with complex solutions to second order constant coefficient linear homogeneous differential equations assumed.

The derivations of unit-related equations are straightforward.

That said, there is quite a bit to remember.

The TMA question is not all that straightforward-looking, though. I’m about to start it now.

I am now a whole one day ahead of the course schedule after putting in only 20 hours this week.

The assignment for the previous unit – unit 6 – scored a 5 on the difficulty scale, and careful narration of what you’re doing is likely to be required so as not to confuse your tutor when he/she comes to mark it.

Unit 7 also scores a 5 (out of 10) for difficulty – mainly because I didn’t have any prior knowledge about phase angles, amplitude, etc.

Hooke’s Law itself is straightforward and can be logically derived.

Some videos watched this week: