» Required Reading » Table of Contents Chapter 33: Second Order Differential Equations
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Introduction

Such equations arise naturally in physics since Newton's equations of motion involve acceleration which is a second derivative.
We make some brief comments about such equations, show how they can be solved numerically with a spreadsheet, and discuss two specific examples: the forced harmonic oscillator (which also describes the behavior of an R L C circuit) and planetary motion.

Topics

33.1   General Comments

33.2   Solving Second Order Differential Equations

33.3   The Forced and Damped Oscillator

33.4   Planetary Motion