Unit V

Oscillatory Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Main Sections:
1. Motion of an Object Attached to a Spring.
2. Mathematical Representation of Simple Harmonic Motion.
3. Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator.
4. Comparing Simple Harmonic Motion with Uniform Circular
Motion.
5. The Simple Pendulum.
Simple Harmonic Motion
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
After completing this unit the student should be able to do the
following:
1. Define a periodic motion
2. Recognize the mathematical representation of a simple
harmonic motion.
3. Analyze the motion of an object attached to a spring.
4. Calculate the kinetic and potential energy of a simple harmonic
oscillator.
5. Recognize the relationship between simple harmonic motion
and uniform circular motion.
6. Analyze small oscillations of a simple pendulum
.
Motion of an Object Attached to a Spring
The force acting on the particle
Fs
When the spring is pulled
Away from the
Equilibrium position
A distance x is a
x
Restoring force
Given by: Fs = 0

Fsx = −kx
Fs x=0
Where k is called
the spring constant.
x
Motion of an Object Attached to a Spring
Applying Newton’s second law:

Fsx = −kx = max

k
 ax = − x
m
That is, the acceleration is proportional to the
displacement of the block from the equilibrium
position and is directed opposite to the
displacemen. Such a motion is called a simple
harmonic motion.
Motion of an Object Attached to a Spring
An object moves in a simple harmonic motion whenever its
acceleration is proportional to the displacement from the
equilibrium position and is directed opposite to the displacement

Mathematical Representation of a Simple Harmonic

Motion
The equation representing a simple harmonic motion is:
2
d x k
2
=− x
dt m
k
The quantity is given the symbol  2
m
Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
d 2x
 2 = − 2 x
dt
The solution of this equation is given by:
x(t ) = A cos(t +  )
A is called the amplitude. It is the maximum
value of the displacement from the equilibrium
position.
 is called the angular frequence. It is related
to the period of the motion as will be seen later.
 is called the initial phase angle or the phase constant.
The angle ( t+ ) is called the phase of the motion.
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Graphical Representation of Simple Harmonic Motion x
T
A
Acosφ
x(t ) = A cos(t +  ) t
-A
(a) General phase constant φ
x

(b) Phase constant φ = 0

 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Graphical Representation of Simple Harmonic Motion
The period of the simple harmonic motion is the minimum time after which the
Motion repeats itself
[ (t + T ) +  ] − [t +  ] = 2
T = 2
2 m
T = = 2
 k
The frequency f of the motion is related to
the period by
1  1 k
f = = =
T 2 2 m
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
x
Graphical Representation of Simple Harmonic Motion

The particle velocity is given by:

dx
v= = − A sin(t +  ) t
dt
v max =  A v

The velocity can be written as a function

t
of position as v =  A − x
2 2

and the acceleration is given by: a

d 2x
a = 2 = − 2 A cos(t +  ) = − 2 x
dt t
amax =  2 A
Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:An Oscillating Object
An object oscillates with simple harmonic motion along the
x axis. Its position varies with time according to the equation

x = (4.00 m)cos( t + )
4
where t is in seconds and the angles are in radians.

(A) Determine the amplitude, frequency, and period of the

motion.
(B) Calculate the velocity and acceleration of the object at
any time t.
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example: An Oscillating Object
Solution
(A) Amplitude A = 4.00 m

Frequency f = =  /2 = 1/2 = 0.500 Hz
2
Period T = 1/f = 2.00 s

(B) x = (4.00 m)cos( t + )
4
dx 
v = = (4.00)(− sin( t + ))
dt 4
dv 
a= = −(4.00) cos( t + )
2

dt 4
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:An Oscillating Object
(C) Using the results of part (B), determine the position,
velocity, and acceleration of the object at t = 1.00 s.
Solution
At t = 1.00 s
Position x = 4.00cos( (1.00) +  / 4) = 4.00( −0.707)
= -2.83 m
velocity v = - 4.00 sin( (1.00) +  / 4) =-4.00 (−0.707)
= 8.88 m/s
Acceleration a = - 4.00 2 cos( (1.00) +  / 4)
= - 4.00 2 (−0.707) = 27.9 m/s 2
Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:An Oscillating Object
(D) Determine the maximum speed and maximum acceleration
of the object.
Solution
v max =  A =  (4.00) = 12.6 m/s
amax =  2 A = ( 2 )(4.00) = 39.5 m/s 2

(E) Find the displacement of the object between

t = 0 s and t = 1.00 s.
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:An Oscillating Object

Solution
Displacement x = x f -x i = x (1.00) − x (0.00)
= 4.00cos( (1.00) +  / 4) − 4.00cos( (0.00) +  / 4)
= 4.00(−0.707) − 4.00(0.707) = −5.66 m

Because the object’s velocity changes sign during the first

second, the magnitude of Δx is not the same as the distance
traveled in the first second. (By the time the first second is over,
the object has been through the point x=-2.83m once,
traveled to x=-4.00 m, and came back to x=-2.83 m.)
Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:A Block–Spring System
A 200-g block connected to a light spring for which the force
constant is 5.00 N/m is free to oscillate on a horizontal,
frictionless surface. The block is displaced 5.00 cm from
equilibrium and released from rest.
(A) Find the period of its motion.
Solution
m 0.200
Period T = 2 = 2 = 1.26 s
k 5.00
Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:A Block–Spring System
(B) Determine the maximum speed of the block.
Solution k 5.00
= = = 5.00 rad/s
m 0.200
k 5.00
Maximum speed v max =  A = A= (0.0500)
m 0.200
= 0.25 m/s
(C) What is the maximum acceleration of the block?
Solution
k 5.00
Maximum acceleration amax =  A = A =
2
(0.0500)
m 0.200
= 1.25 m/s 2
 Mathematical Representation of a Simple
Harmonic Motion
Example:A Block–Spring System
(D) Express the position, speed, and acceleration as functions
of time.
The particle started from rest i.e. v i = 0
x (t ) = A cos(t +  )
 x (0) = x max  = 0
 x = .05cos t = (0.05 m)cos5t
dx
v= = −.05 sin t = −.05(5)sin 5t = −(.25 m/s)sin 5t
dt
dv
a= = −(1.25 m/s 2 )cos5t
dt
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

The kinetic energy of a simple harmonic oscillator is given by

1 1
K = m v = m  A sin (t +  )
2 2 2 2

2 2
While the potential energy is given by:
1 2 1
U (x ) = kx = m  A cos (t +  )
2 2 2

2 2
1 1 2
K + U = m  A = kA = constant
2 2

2 2
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

E
K, U, E

<K>time = <U>time
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
We can express the various energies as functions of
position as follows:
1 1 1 2
K = m v = m  A sin (t +  ) = kA (1 − cos 2 (t +  ))
2 2 2 2

2 2 2
1 1 2
 K = k (A − x ) = E − kx
2 2

2 2
1 2
K max = kA when x = 0
2
While the potential energy is given by:
1 2
U (x ) = kx
2
1 2
U max = kA when x = A
2
 Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
Energy

K= E - ½ kx2 K U= ½ kx2
K space

U space

1 1 2 -A A x
K = k (A − x ) = E − kx
2 2 x=0
2 2
1 2
U = kx
2
1 1 2
E = K + U = m  A = kA
2 2

2 2
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

40
30 x
20 v
10
U
V
0
K
-10
0

0.3

0.6

0.9
5

5
0.1

0.4

0.7
-20 E
-30 <V>
<U>
-40 <K>
Time
Summary of the Motion of an Object
Attached to a Spring t x v a K U

0 A 0 -ω 2A 0 1/2kA2

T/4 0 -ωA 0 1/2kA2 0

1/2kA2
T/2 -A 0 ω 2A 0

3T/4 0 ωA 0 1/2kA2 0

T A 0 -ω 2A 0 1/2kA2
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Example: Oscillations on a Horizontal Surface

A 0.500-kg cart connected to a light spring for which the force constant
is 20.0 N/m oscillates on a horizontal, frictionless air track.
(A)Calculate the total energy of the system and the maximum speed of
the cart if the amplitude of the motion is 3.00 cm.
Solution

k 20.0
= = = 6.33 rad/s
m 0.500
1 2 1
E = kA = (20.0)(0.0300) 2 = 9.00x 10−3 J
2 2
v max =  A = 6.33(0.03) = 0.190 m/s
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Example:Oscillations on a Horizontal Surface

(B) What is the velocity of the cart when the position is 2.00 cm?
Solution

v =  (A 2 − x 2 ) = 6.33 (.0300) 2 − (0.0200) 2 = 0.142 m/s

The positive and negative signs indicate that the cart could
be moving to either the right or the left at this instant.
Energy of the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Example:Oscillations on a Horizontal Surface

(C) Compute the kinetic and potential energies of the system when the
position is 2.00 cm.
Solution

1 1
K = m v = (0.500)(0.142) 2 = 5.00x 10−3 J
2

2 2
1 2 1
U = kx = (20.0)(0.02) 2 = 4.00x 10−3 J
2 2
Note that K + U = E.
Relationship Between Simple Harmonic Motion and
Uniform Circular Motion

y y y y
ω θ ω ω
ω
P V P
P
P a
A θ
φ θ θ
O x xQ x Q x Q x

t=0 θ = ωt+ φ θ = ωt+ φ θ = ωt+ φ

θ=φ x = Acos(ωt+ φ) vx = -ωAsin(ωt+ φ) ax =-ω2 Acos(ωt+ φ)
Relationship Between Simple Harmonic Motion and
Uniform Circular Motion

Example: Circular Motion with Constant Angular Speed

A particle rotates counterclockwise in a circle of radius 3.00 m
with a constant angular speed of 8.00 rad/s. At t=0, the particle
has an x coordinate of 2.00 m and is moving to the right.
(A) Determine the x coordinate as a function of time.
Solution
x (t ) = A cos(t +  )
x (0) = A cos 
 2 = 3cos 
cos  = 0.67
Relationship Between Simple Harmonic Motion and
Uniform Circular Motion

Example: Circular Motion with Constant Angular Speed

Solution

Since the particle is moving to right at t = 0

  is in the fourth quadrant
 = −0.838 rad
 x=3.00cos(8.00t-0.838)
Relationship Between Simple Harmonic Motion and
Uniform Circular Motion

Example: Circular Motion with Constant Angular Speed

Solution
(B) Find the x components of the particle’s velocity and
acceleration at any time t.
dx
vx = = −(3.00)(8.00)sin(8.00t-0.838)=
dt
= -(24.0 m/s)sin(8.00t - 0.838)
dv
ax = = −(24.0)(8.00)cos(8.00t - 0.838)
dt
2
= - (192 m/s )cos(8.00t - 0.838)
Relationship Between Simple Harmonic Motion and
Uniform Circular Motion

Example: Circular Motion with Constant Angular Speed

Solution
From these results, we conclude that vmax = 24.0 m/s and
that amax = 192 m/s2.
 Simple Pendulum
Applying Newton’s second law in the tangential direction

Ft = mat
where Ft is the tangential component of the force and
at is the tangential component of the acceleration.
mg sin  = −mat
The tangential component of the acceleration
is given by
dv θ T
at =
dt
d mgsinθ
In the circular motion v = L mgcosθ
dt mg
 Simple Pendulum
d 2
 at = L 2
dt
d 2
 mg sin  = −m (L 2 ) θ T
dt
d 2 g
 2 = − sin  mgsinθ mgcosθ
dt L
mg
for small values of  , sin  (in radians)
d 2 g g
 2 = −  = −  where  =
2 2

dt L L
This is the equation of a simple harmonic motion
 =  max cos(t +  )
Simple Pendulum
The period of the pendulum is
2 L
T = = 2 θ T
 g
mgsinθ mgcosθ
1 1 g
f = = mg
T 2 L
 Simple Pendulum
Example 15.6 A Connection Between Length and Time
Christian Huygens (1629–1695), the greatest clockmaker in history,
suggested that an international unit of length could be defined as the
length of a simple pendulum having a period of exactly 1 s. How much
shorter would our length unit be had his suggestion been followed?
The period of the pendulum is
2 L
T = = 2
 g
T 2
L = ( ) g
2
(1) 2
 L = ( ) (9.80) = 0.248
2
 Simple Pendulum
Example 15.6 A Connection Between Length and Time
What if Huygens had been born on another planet? What would the
value for g have to be on that planet such that the meter based on
Huygens’s pendulum would have the same value as our meter?
The period of the pendulum is
2 L
T = = 2
 g
2 2
g =( ) L
T
2 2
 g = ( ) (1) = 39.5 m/s 2
1

No planet in the solar system has an acceleration due to gravity that is

this large.
Simple Pendulum

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