SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

PREVIEW

An object such as a pendulum or a mass on a spring is oscillating or vibrating if it is

moving in a repeated path at regular time intervals. We call this type of motion harmonic
motion. For an object to continue oscillating there must be a restoring force continually
trying to restore it to its equilibrium position. For, the force exerted by an ideal spring
obeys Hooke’s law. As an object in simple harmonic motion oscillates, its energy is
repeatedly converted from potential energy to kinetic energy, and vice – versa.

QUICK REFERENCE

Important Terms

amplitude
maximum displacement from equilibrium position; the distance from the midpoint
of a wave to its crest or trough.
equilibrium position
the position about which an object in harmonic motion oscillates; the center of
vibration
frequency
the number of vibrations per unit of time
Hooke’s law
law that states that the restoring force applied by a spring is proportional to the
displacement of the spring and opposite in direction
ideal spring
any spring that obeys Hooke’s law and does not dissipate energy within the
spring.
mechanical resonance
condition in which natural oscillation frequency equals frequency of a driving
force
period
the time for one complete cycle of oscillation
periodic motion
motion that repeats itself at regular intervals of time
restoring force
the force acting on an oscillating object which is proportional to the displacement
and always points toward the equilibrium position.

122
simple harmonic motion
regular, repeated, friction-free motion in which the restoring force has the
mathematical form F = - kx.

Equations and Symbols

Fs = − kx where
1 2
PE elastic = kx Fs = the restoring force of the spring
2 k = spring constant
x = A cos ωt x = displacement from equilibrium
2π position
ω= = 2πf PEelastic = elastic (spring) potential
T
energy (denoted Us on the AP
m exam)
TS = 2π
k A = amplitude
l ω = angular frequency
TP = 2π T = period
g f = frequency
1 m = mass
T=
f TP = period of a pendulum
TS = period of a mass on a spring
g = acceleration due to gravity

DISCUSSION OF SELECTED SECTIONS

The Ideal Spring and Simple Harmonic Motion

An object is in harmonic motion if it follows a repeated path at regular time intervals, that
is, it is oscillating. Two common examples of harmonic motion often studied in physics
are a mass on a spring and a pendulum.

123
As a mass on a spring vibrates, it has both a period and a frequency. The period of
vibration is the time it takes for one complete cycle of motion, that is the time it takes for
the object to return to its original position. The frequency is the number of cycles per unit
time, such as cycles per second, or hertz. The lowest point in the swing of a pendulum is
called the equilibrium position, and the maximum displacement from equilibrium is
called the amplitude.

Since the mass on a spring vibrates about the equilibrium position, there must be a force
that is trying to restore it back toward the center of the oscillation. This force is called the
restoring force, and it is greatest at the amplitude and zero as the mass passes through the
equilibrium position. Newton’s second law tells us that if there is a net force, there must
be an acceleration, and if the force is maximum at the amplitude, the acceleration must
maximum at the amplitude as well. The velocity, however, is zero at the amplitude and
maximum as it passes through the equilibrium position.

Equilibrium

The period and frequency of a mass vibrating on a spring depend on the stiffness in the
spring. For a stiffer spring, it takes more force to stretch the spring to a particular length.
The amount of force needed per unit length is called the spring constant k, measured in
newtons per meter. The relationship between force, stretched length, and k for an ideal
(or linear) spring is called Hooke’s law:

Fspring = - kx

where x is the stretched length of the spring. For an ideal spring, the stretch is
proportional to the force, but in the opposite direction. If we pull with twice the force, the
spring will stretch twice as far.
The graph below represents the magnitude of the force F vs stretched length x for a
spring:

124
The slope of the line is the change in force (rise) divided by the change in length (run).
Since this ratio is also equal to the spring constant k, the higher slope of the graph the
higher the spring constant, which is an indication of the stiffness of the spring.

We can find the spring constant k for this spring by taking the ratio of the force to the
stretch for a particular interval. In other words, we can find the slope of the F vs. x graph
for each spring. The slope of the line and the spring constant for spring is 50 N/m.

As on any other F vs. x graph, the work done in stretching or compressing the spring to a
certain displacement can be found by finding the area under the graph. The total work
done in stretching this spring is

1
W = Area = (60 N )(1.2 m) = 36 J
2
Simple Harmonic Motion and the Reference Circle
In the equation for the spring force above, x is the displacement from equilibrium
position at any time. Because of the oscillatory nature of the vibrating mass, we can
express the displacement x from equilibrium position at any time t as

x = A cos(ω t ) or x = A sin(ω t )

where A is the amplitude of oscillation and ω (the lower case Greek letter omega) is
called the angular frequency, and is measured in radians per second. The quantity ωt is
called the phase, and is an angle in radians. The mass on the spring makes one full
oscillation (2π radians) in one period T, so the angular frequency can be found by

2π
ω= = 2π f , where f is the frequency in hertz.
T

Another relationship between the angular frequency of a mass oscillating on a spring and
the spring constant k is

k
ω= .
m

We see from this equation that the higher the spring constant k, the stiffer the spring, and
the greater the angular frequency of oscillation. A smaller mass will also increase the
angular frequency for a particular spring.

If we set the two equations above for ω equal to each other and solve for the period T of
oscillation, we get

m
T = 2π .
k

125
Example 1
A mass of 0.5 kg oscillates on the end of a spring on a horizontal surface with negligible
friction according to the equation x = A cos(ω t ). The graph of F vs. x for this motion is
shown below.

The last data point corresponds to the maximum displacement of the mass.
Determine the
(a) angular frequency ω of the oscillation,
(b) frequency f of oscillation,
(c) amplitude of oscillation,
(d) displacement from equilibrium position (x = 0) at a time of 2 s.

Solution:
(a) We know that the spring constant k = 50 N/m from when we looked at this graph
earlier. So,
k 50 N / m rad
ω= = = 10
m 0.5 kg s
ω 10 rad / s
(b) f = = = 1.6 Hz
2π 2π
(c) The amplitude corresponds to the last displacement on the graph, A = 1.2 m.
(d) x = A cos(ωt ) = (1.2 m)cos[(10 rad / s )(2 s )] = 0.5 m

Energy and Simple Harmonic Motion

As an object vibrates in harmonic motion, energy is transferred between potential energy

and kinetic energy. Consider a mass sitting on a surface of negligible friction and
attached to a linear spring. If we stretch a spring from its equilibrium (unstretched)
position to a certain displacement, we do work on the mass against the spring force. By
the work-energy theorem, the work done is equal to the stored potential energy in the
spring. If we release the mass and allow it to begin moving back toward the equilibrium
position, the potential energy begins changing into kinetic energy. As the mass passes
through the equilibrium position, all of the potential energy has been converted into

126
kinetic energy, and the speed of the mass is maximum. The kinetic energy in turn begins
changing into potential energy, until all of the kinetic energy is converted into potential
energy at maximum compression.

The compressed spring then accelerates the mass back through the equilibrium to the
original starting position, and the entire process repeats itself. If we neglect friction on the
surface and in the spring, the total energy of the system remains constant, that is,

Total Energy = Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy = a constant

Thus, whatever potential energy is lost must be gained by kinetic energy, and vice-versa.
As long as no energy is lost to the surroundings, the mass on the spring continues to
oscillate in mechanical resonance. As the spring oscillates, we can calculate the total
mechanical energy at any time:
Etotal = K + U
1 2 1
where K = mv and U = kx 2
2 2
Example 2
A spring of constant k = 100 N/m hangs at its natural length from a fixed stand. A mass
of 3 kg is hung on the end of the spring, and slowly let down until the spring and mass
hang at their new equilibrium position.

(a) Find the value of the quantity x in the figure above.

127
The spring is now pulled down an additional distance x and released from rest.

(b) What is the potential energy in the spring at this distance?

(c) What is the speed of the mass as it passes the equilibrium position?
(d) How high above the point of release will the mass rise?
(e) What is the period of oscillation for the mass?

Solution:
(a) As it hangs in equilibrium, the upward spring force must be equal and opposite to the
downward weight of the block. Fs

Fs = mg
kx = mg

x= =
(
mg (3 kg ) 10 m / s 2)= 0.3 m
k 100 N / m

mg

(b) The potential energy in the spring is related to the displacement from equilibrium
position by the equation
1 1 2
U = kx 2 = (100 N / m )(0.3m ) = 4.5 J
2 2
(c) Since energy is conserved during the oscillation of the mass, the kinetic energy of the
mass as it passes through the equilibrium position is equal to the potential energy at the
amplitude. Thus,

1 2
K =U = mv
2
2U 2(4.5 J )
v= = = 1.7 m / s
m 3 kg
(d) Since the amplitude of the oscillation is 0.3 m, it will rise to 0.3 m above the
equilibrium position.
m 3 kg
(e) T = 2π = 2π = 1.1 s
k 100 N / m

The Pendulum

A pendulum is a mass on the end of a string which oscillates in harmonic motion. All of
the concepts for the period, frequency, amplitude, and energy for a pendulum are the
same as for the mass on a spring. The equation for the period of a pendulum is
L
T = 2π
g

128
where L is the length of the pendulum, and g is the acceleration due to gravity at the
location of the pendulum. A longer length will have a longer period, while a stronger
gravitational field will shorten the period of a pendulum.

Example 3
A pendulum of mass 0.4 kg and length 0.6 m is pulled back and released from and angle
of 10˚ to the vertical.

(a) What is the potential energy of the mass at the instant it is released. Choose potential
energy to be zero at the bottom of the swing.
(b) What is the speed of the mass as it passes its lowest point?

This same pendulum is taken to another planet where its period is 1.0 second.
(c) What is the acceleration due to gravity on this planet?

Solution
(a) First we must find the height above the lowest point in the swing at the instant the
pendulum is released.

Recall from chapter 1 of this study guide L

10˚
that h = L − L cos θ .
Then L
U = mg (L − L cosθ )
h
( )
U = (0.4 kg ) 10 m / s 2 (0.6 m − 0.6 m cos10°) = 0.4 J

(b) Conservation of energy:

1
U max = K max = mv 2
2
2U 2(0.4 J )
v= = = 1.4 m / s
m 0.4 kg
(c)
L
T = 2π
g
4π 2 L 4π 2 (0.6 m ) m
g= 2
= 2
= 23.7 2
T (1.0 s ) s

129
REVIEW QUESTIONS
For each of the multiple choice questions below, choose the best answer.
Unless otherwise noted, use g = 10 m/s2 and neglect air resistance.

1. According to Hooke’s law for an ideal 3. The spring constant k is equal to

spring, doubling the stretch distance will (A) 5 N/m
(A) double the velocity of the mass. (B) 10 N/m
(B) double the force that the spring (C) 20 N/m
exerts on the mass. (D) 25 N/m
(C) quadruple the force the spring exerts (E) 50 N/m
on the mass.
(D) double the period.
(E) double the frequency.
L
Questions 2 – 3: Consider the force vs θ
displacement graph shown for an ideal
spring.

Questions 4 – 6:
A pendulum of length L swings with an
amplitude θ and a frequency f as shown
above.

4. If the amplitude is increased and the

pendulum is released from a greater
angle,
(A) the period will decrease.
(B) the period will increase.
(C) the period will not change.
(D) the frequency will increase.
(E) the frequency will decrease.
2. The work done in stretching the spring
from 0.1 m to 0.5 m is 5. If the mass and the length of the
(A) 1 J pendulum are both doubled, the
(B) 4 J frequency of vibration will be
(C) 6 J (A) f
(D) 12 J (B) 2f
(E) 24 J (C) 4f
(D) ½ f
(E) ¼ f

130
6. Which of the following statements is 8. The period of vibration for this mass
true about the swinging pendulum? on a spring is most nearly
(A) 1 s
I. The greatest restoring force and the (B) 2 s
greatest velocity occur at the same (C) 3 s
point. (D) 6 s
II. The greatest restoring force and the (E) 9 s
greatest acceleration occur at the same
point. 9. The total distance traveled by the
III. The greatest acceleration and the mass during one full oscillation is
greatest velocity occur at the same (A) 3 cm
point. (B) 6 cm
(C) 12 cm
(A) I only (D) 18 cm
(B) I and II only (E) 24 cm
(C) II only
(D) I and III only
(E) I, II, and III P

Questions 7 – 9:
The equation which describes the motion
of a mass oscillating on an ideal spring is Equilibrium
x = 6 cos 3t
where x is in centimeters and t is in 10. A mass vibrates on an ideal spring as
seconds. shown above. The total energy of the
spring is 100 J. What is the kinetic
7. The amplitude of the harmonic motion energy of the mass at point P, halfway
is between the equilibrium point and the
(A) 3 cm amplitude?
(B) 6 cm (A) 25 J
(C) 9 cm (B) 50 J
(D) 18 cm (C) 75 J
(E) 30 cm (D) 100 J
(E) 200 J

131
Free Response Question

Directions: Show all work in working the following question. The question is worth 15
points, and the suggested time for answering the question is about 15 minutes. The parts
within a question may not have equal weight.

1. (15 points)

ℓ x
B C D

A small 0.10 kg block starts from rest at point A, which is at a height of 1.0 m. The
surface between points A and B and between points C and D is frictionless, but is rough
between points B and C, having a coefficient of friction of 0.10. After traveling the
distance ℓ = 1.0 m, the small block strikes a larger block of mass 0.30 kg, and sticks to it,
compressing the spring to a maximum distance x = 0.50 m. Determine

(a) the speed of the 0.10 kg block at point B.

(b) the acceleration of the 0.10 kg block between points B and C.
(c) the speed of the block at point C.
(d) the speed of the combined small and large block immediately after they collide.
(e) the spring constant of the spring.

132
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS TO CHAPTER 10 REVIEW QUESTIONS

Multiple Choice

1. B
Since the force is proportional to the stretch distance, the force would double if the
stretch distance doubled.

2. C
The work done by the spring from 0.1 m to 0.5 m is equal to the area under the graph
between those two points.
1
A = (20 N )(0.4 m ) + (5 N )(0.4 m ) = 6 J
2
3. E
25 N N
k = slope = = 50
0.5 m m
4. C
The period of a pendulum does not depend on the amplitude of swing for small swings.

5. D
1 g 1 1 1
f = . Thus , f ∝ , and f ∝
2π L L 2 4L

6. C
Newton’s second law states that the acceleration is proportional to the force. The
restoring force and the acceleration are the greatest at the amplitude of swing.

7. B
The amplitude is the the constant which appears in front of the cosine of the angle.

8. B
2π 2(3)
T= ≈ = 2s
ω 3

9. E
The total distance moved during one full oscillation would be four times the amplitude of
the motion: 4(6 cm) = 24 cm.

10. B
At point B, the mass is halfway between the equilibrium position, where the kinetic
energy is 100 J, and the amplitude, where the kinetic energy is zero. Thus, the kinetic
energy at point B is 50 J.

133
Free Response Question Solution

(a) 3 points
U A = KB
1 2
mgh = mv B
2
( )
v B = 2 gh = 2 10 m / s 2 (1.0 m ) = 4.5 m / s

(b) 3 points
The frictional force and acceleration between points B and C is
f = µN = µmg = ma
f µmg
a=
m
=−
m
( )
= − µg = −(0.10 ) 10 m / s 2 = −1.0 m / s 2

(c) 2 points
2 2
vC = v B + 2aℓ
2
vC = v B + 2aℓ = (4.5 m / s )2 + 2(− 1.0 m / s 2 )(1.0 m) = 4.3 m / s
(d) 3 points
Conservation of momentum:
ʹ′
mvC = (m + M )vC
ʹ′
vC =
mvC
=
(0.10 kg )(4.3 m / s ) = 1.1m / s
(m + M ) (0.40 kg )
(e) 4 points
The kinetic energy of the two blocks just after the collision is equal to the potential
energy in the spring.
ʹ′
KC = U D
1
(m + M )vC ʹ′ = 1 kx 2
2

2 2
2
(m + M )vC ʹ′ (0.40 kg )(1.1 m / s )2
k= = = 1.9 N / m
x2 (0.5 m)2

134