UNIT-3

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

HARMONIC MOTION:-
When & body repeats its motion after regular interval of time, then it is called as Harmonic motion.

TIME PERIOD:
The time interval after which the motion is repeated is called as time period.

OSCILLATION: If the body moves to and fro or the same path, then it is said to perform
oscillations.

SIMPLE HARMONIC OSCILLATIONS: - If the acceleration of oscillating

body is proportional to its displacement from its equilibrium and be always directed towards it, then
it is performing simple harmonic oscillations.

CENTRE OF OSCILLATION: - When body is performing S.H.M. the point in the path
towards which the acceleration is directed is called a centre of oscillations.

S.H.M. in terms of equation:-

Suppose, a= acceleration, x= displacement.
As our definition,
a -x
a = -2x........................ (1)
Where 𝛚2 is called as a positive constant
-ve sign arises because acceleration is always directed towards the centre.
We know,
a = F/m ………………………………… (2)
From (1) and (2),
F/m = -𝛚2x
F=-m 𝛚2x ……………………………… (3)
Equation (3) expresses the S.H.M.
k
F = -kx………………………….. { = 2 }
m
Constant K is called as force constant.
The force F is called as restoring force, as it always try to restore the equilibrium position of the
particle.

Properties of S.H.M.:
1. The particular fixed point must be situated on the path of the motion.
2. The acceleration of the particle is proportional to the displacement but in opposite direction.
3. The acceleration of the particle, at any instant is always directed towards the fixed position.
4. The frequency and period of motion are independent of amplitude.

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TYPE OF S.H.M.:
Linear: - If the body is moving along the linear path under the action of constant force then it is
linear.
Examples: -
1. Up and down oscillation of the piston of a cylinder containing gas, when suddenly pressed down
and released.
2. The vertical oscillations of the elastic spring suspended from rigid support and loaded at its lower
end.

Angular: - When body rotates about an axis under the action of constant torque or couple then
it is angular.
Examples:-
1. Oscillations of the pendulum.
2. The oscillations of the magnet suspended in the magnetic field.

EQUATION OF MOTION OF S.H.M.:

Suppose a particle is performing S.H.M. under the action of restoring force F=-kx.
Let m be the mass of the particle which is performing S.H.M. along X- axis.
Let m be the mass of the particle which is performing S.H.M. along X- axis.
Let the position of the particle at t=0 is Xo and its velocity is Vo. Thus at t=0, X= Xo; and V=Vo. The
acceleration of the particle at any instant is,

F -k
a= = x = -ω2x
m m
dV
=-ω2x
dt
dV dx
=-ω2x
dt dt
Vdv=-ω2x

 Vdv= -ω xdx
2

 V2   x2 
  =-ω2  
 2   2 

V02
V= +x02 -x2
2
ω

V02
Let's write +x02 = A2
2
ω
V= A2 -x2

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Term in S.H.M.:
a) Amplitude: - The maximum distance covered by the body on the either side of its means position
or equilibrium position is called as its amplitude.
Displacement of the particle is,
x = Asin(ωt+δ)
sin(ωt+δ) Varies from -1 to +1 so the displacement x has the values between -A to +A. So A
is the maximum displacement and hence amplitude of the oscillations.

b) Time period: - When a particle is performing simple harmonic motion the time required for
completing one oscillation is called as time period.
We have,
x = Asin(ωt+δ)
If T is the time period x should have same values at (t) and (t +T),
Therefore,
Asin(ωt+δ)=Asin[(t+T)+]
Equation for velocity is,
V=Acos(t+)
Also it will repeat its value after T.
Therefore,
Acos(ωt+δ)=Acos[(t+T)+]
Both sin and cos function repeat their values if angle is increased by 2𝜋 or its multiple.
As T is the smallest time for repetition,
(t+T)+=(ωt+δ) + 2
Therefore,
ωT=2
2
T=
ω
But ω = k ,
m
Therefore;

T=2 m
k

c.Frequency and angular frequency:

Number of oscillations per second is called as angular frequency.
It is given by reciprocal of time period. It is measured in cycles per seconds or in hertz (Hz).
Therefore we can write frequency (  );
 = 1 / T =  / 2
1
= km
2
The constant is called as angular frequency.

d.Phase: - Phase is quantity which represents status of the particle in S.H.M.

It is given by, ( = t + ).
If we say phase is zero at a certain instant, it means
 = 0.
So, x=A sin (0) =0,
So displacement is zero,
So, x=A𝛚 cos (0) =A𝛚.
So velocity is maximum.
This means that this particle is crossing the mean position going towards the positive direction.

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e) Phase constant: - The constant  appearing in below equation
x = Asin(ωt+δ)
is called as phase constant.

It depends on the choice of instant t= 0. Suppose we choose t = 0 at an instant when particle

is passing through its mean position and going towards the positive direction. The phase,
ωt+δ
Should then be zero. As t= 0, this means  will be zero. The equation for the displacement can
be written as,
x = Asinωt
If we choose t = 0 at an instant when particle is at its positive extreme position, the phase is
 /2 at this instant.
Thus;
(ωt+δ)= 
2
Hence,
=
2
The equation for displacement is,

x = Asin(ωt+δ)
x = Asin(ωt+  )
2
x = Acosωt
Graphical representation of Displacement, velocity and acceleration. –
Equation for displacement: - x = Asin(ωt+δ)
Equation for velocity: - x = Asin(ωt+  )
2
Equation for acceleration: - a = -Aω2sin(ωt)

Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration of a Particle Moving

with Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Let us consider a particle moving clockwise with a constant angular velocity ꙍ along the
circumference of a circle of radius r. The particle is initially at position C and at any time t shifts
to position P making angle  with the vertical. M is the foot of perpendicular drawn from P on
the horizontal diameter AB of the circular orbit as shown in Figure 3.1.

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It is to be noted that:
a) when the particle moves from C to B, the projection point M on diameter AB moves from O to
B.
b) when the particle moves from B to D, point M shifts from B to O.
c) when the particle moves from D to A, point M moves from O to A and
d) when the particle moves from A to C, the point M shifts from A to O and that completes the
cycle.

The motion of M along AB is repetitive and thus simple harmonic.

Thus, the displacement of the projection at any instant is given by,

𝑥 = 𝑂𝑀 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 = 𝑟 sin 𝜔𝑡………………. (3.1)

SOME IMPORTANT TERMS OF SHM:

Cycle
The movement of a particle executing SHM body from its undisturbed or equilibrium position to
its extreme position in one direction, then to the equilibrium position, then to its extreme position
in the other direction, and back to equilibrium position is called one cycle of oscillation. One
revolution, i.e. angular displacement of 2л гadian constitutes one cycle.

Amplitude
It is the magnitude of the maximum displacement of the particle in either direction of the mean
position. The value of cosine function varies between ± 1 and so the displacement x (t) varies
between + A.

Frequency
It is defined as the number of oscillations that are completed in one second. The symbol for
frequency is 𝑓 and its SI unit is hertz (abbreviated Hz), where

1 hertz = 1Hz = 1 oscillation per second = 1s -1

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Time Period
It is the time taken for one complete oscillation (one cycle). It is denoted by T:

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𝑇=
𝑓
Angular Frequency
It is defined as the angular velocity of the cyclic motion. It is denoted by o and is measured in
radians/second. It is also called circular frequency.

2𝜋
𝜔=
𝑇
Phase
The state or condition as defined by the vibrating particle in regard to its position, direction of
motion is referred to as phase. It tells us the stage of the vibrating particle.

Phase Difference
The amount by which the phases of the particle differ is called phase difference.

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Fig shows variation of position and velocity as a function of phase.

Energy Conservation in Simple Harmonic Motion: -

Simple harmonic motion is defined by the equation,
F=-kx.
The work done by the force F during the displacement from x to x + dx is,
dw = F.dx.
dw = - kx.dx
The work done in displacement from x to x+dx is,
dw = F dx
The work done in displacement from x=0 to x is,

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 
W= (-kx).dx

1 2
W=- kx
2
Let U(x) be potential energy of the system when displacement is x.
As change in potential energy corresponding
This work done will be stored in the spring as a potential energy.
So the potential energy of the spring is,
U(x)= 1 kx2
2
Let potential energy be zero, when the particle is at the centre of oscillation, x = 0.
U(0)=0 and U(x)= 1 kx2
2
Therefore,

U(x)= 1 m2x2 { = k }
2 m
The displacement of the particle in S.H.M. is given as,
x = Asin(ωt+δ)
V = Acos(ωt+δ)
Therefore potential energy at time t is,
U= 1 m2x2
2

U= 1 m2A2 sin2(t + )
2
And kinetic energy at time t is,
K.E. = 1 mV2
2

K.E. = 1 mA22 cos2(t + )

2
Therefore the total mechanical energy is equal to,E=U + K.E.

E= 1 mA2ω2[sin2(ωt+δ)+cos2(ωt+δ)].
2
E= 1 mA2ω2.
2
The total mechanical energy is independent of t. Thus mechanical energy remains constant means
it is conserved.

Simple Pendulum: -
Oscillation of the simple pendulum is one of the examples of the Simple harmonic motion.
Simple pendulum is s point mass suspended from one end of an in extendible, weightless string
whose other end is fixed to a rigid support.
It is impossible to obtain such idealized simple pendulum.
Let I be the length of the string, m be the mass of the bob oscillating to and fro as shown in figure.

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Weight of bob is acting vertically downward and is mg. Resolving this into two components, we have,
mgsin𝛉 and mgcos𝛉. mgsin𝛉 is balanced by restoring force, acting on the particle. mgcos𝛉 is
cancelled because of the tension in the string.
Now, as we know,
F = ma
Therefore
- mgsin𝛉 = ma
- ve sign indicates that force is always towards o.
When 𝛉 is small,
` sin𝛉  𝛉
Also we can write,

𝛉=y/I
Therefore,
-mgy
-mg𝛉=
I
=ma
-g
a= .y
i

a=-ω2.y
Where 𝛚2=g/I is constant
Therefore;
a - y

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Since acceleration is proportional to displacement, motion is said to be S.H.M.
Now, we know that,

2
T=
ω
Thus;

I
T = 2
g

Helical spring:

Consider helical spring PA suspended from a fixed point P as shown in figure.

When mass m is suspended from the spring the spring stretched to Q, by length e given by;
mg=ke………………………………………………….(1)
Where k is force constant of the spring.
If mass m is pulled down little and then released, it vibrates up and down about O.

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Suppose at an instant, B is at a distance x below O.
The tension T in the spring is equal to k (e+x).

So the resultant force is downwards and is equal to,

=mg-ke-kx
=-kx (ke=mg)
As;
F=ma
-kx=ma
Therefore,
k
a= .x
m

a = −2.x
So the acceleration is proportional to displacement and hence it is SHM.

As,

2
T=


m
T = 2
K
Since, mg = ke, it follows that,

m e
=
k g
Therefore,

e
T = 2
g
The above equation gives time period of helical spring

Damped harmonic oscillations:

The oscillations of a simple Harmonic system are said to be damped if its amplitude goes on
decreasing with time.
Explanation: Most of the oscillations occur in viscous media like air, water etc. So, part of the
energy is dissipated in overcoming resistive forces. Consequently, the amplitude of oscillations
goes on decreasing exponentially with time and finally the oscillations die out. Such oscillations are
called damped oscillations.
e.g.sound

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Udamped harmonic oscillations:
The oscillations of a system are said to be undamped if its amplitude does not change with time.
Explanation: The energy of the system executing undamped oscillations does not change with
time. Either the damping is absent or the energy dissipated by the system is compensated by
some external source.
e.g. A.c. signal

FREE OSCILLATION:
The oscillation produced by an oscillator of frequency such that no external periodic force acts in it
are called free oscillation.

Forced oscillations and

1. When the body is maintaining a state of vibration by strong periodic force of frequency other
than the natural frequency of the body then vibration are called force oscillation.
2. Amplitude remains constant.
3. E.g. Musical instrument.

Resonance:
1. When the body is maintaining a state of vibration by strong periodic force having same natural
frequency as that of the body then vibration are called resonance.
2. Amplitude goes on increasing to infinity.
3. E.g. Soldiers marching on the bridge.

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