Mass spring damper with k being a function of x

Odesolve with if - one example

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@MChristensen1 wrote:

All,

 

I am trying to set up an odesolve function with a mass spring damper where my spring constant is a piecewise function associated with position. Sort of like a mass is being driven by a force while being acted upon by a damper until it suddenly hits a spring. Any Ideas?

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OK, and where did you experience problems?

It may help if you would attach your worksheet so we can see what you are trying to do.

You have picked an interesting problem.  I have seem a similar problem  a pendulum and changing the length based on angle.  In this case it was a child's swing.  Pumping (which changes the length) increases the height.  Adding a forcing function is a good start.  The solution was done using Perturbation Methods.  It treats the non linearity of the equation.  This was over 40 years ago.

Good luck

David