Problem 11
Consider the van der Pol oscillator,
(d^(2)x)/(dt^(2))+omega ^(2)x=epsilon(dx)/(dt)(1x^(2)),epsilon>=0.
Describe the dynamics when epsilon=0.
What is the effect of the right-hand-side when |x| is small?
What is the effect of the right-hand-side when |x| is much larger than 1?
Based on your answers to the previous questions, explain what you expect to happen for intermediate values of |x|.
Sketch the phase plane of the van der Pol oscillator.
Check your answer with the Phase Plane App or equivalent software. Is the result surprising? Why or why not?