Question

Verify that for values of n less than 8, the system goes to a stable equilibrium, but as n passes 8, the equilibrium point becomes unstable, and a stable oscillation is created.

Answer 1

In physics, a system's equilibrium point is considered stable if the system returns to that point after being slightly disturbed. For an n value less than 8, the system remains in stable equilibrium; once n exceeds 8, stable oscillations indicate an unstable equilibrium. This concept can be visualized by the marble in a bowl analogy, where the bowl's orientation determines the stability of the marble's equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stability of an equilibrium point is determined by the response of a system to a disturbance. If an object at a stable equilibrium point is slightly disturbed, it will oscillate around that point. The stable equilibrium point is characterized by forces that are directed toward it on either side. On the contrary, an unstable equilibrium point will not allow the object to return to its initial position after a slight disturbance, since the forces are directed away from that point. For values of n less than 8, the system finds a stable equilibrium. However, when n surpasses 8, the system exhibits unstable equilibrium, leading to stable oscillations.

As an example, consider a marble in a bowl. When the bowl is right-side up, the marble represents a stable equilibrium; when disturbed, it returns to the center. If the bowl were inverted, the marble on top would be at an unstable equilibrium point; any disturbance would cause it to roll off, as the forces on either side would be directed outwards. Extending this concept to potential energy, n in a potential energy function acts as an adjustable parameter. For n=<8, the system remains in stable equilibrium, as with NaCl, which has an n value close to 8. Beyond this value, the equilibrium becomes unstable, giving rise to oscillatory behavior.

Stability also depends on the nature of damping in the system. An overdamped system moves slowly towards equilibrium without oscillations, an underdamped system quickly returns but oscillates, and a critically damped system reaches equilibrium as quickly as possible without any oscillations.

Answer 2

Biological system is one of the major causes of oscillation due to sensitive negative feedback loops. For instance, imagine a father teaching his son how to drive, the teen is trying to keep the car in the centre lane and his father tell him to go right or go left as the case may be. This is a example of a negative feedback loop of a biological system. If the father's sensitivity to the car's position on the road is reasonable, the car will travel in a fairly straight line down the centre of the road. On the other hand, what happens if the father raise his voice at the son "go right" or when the car drifts a bit to the left? The startled the son will over correct, taking the car too far to the right. The father will then starts yelling "go left" then the boy will over correct again and the car will definitely oscillate back and forth. A scenario that indicates the behavior of a car driver under a very steep feedback control mechanism. Since the driver over corrects in each direction. Therefore causes oscillations.

Step-by-step explanation: