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CHAPTER 14-
PERIODIC MOTION
A motion of a body that repeats itself after regular intervals of time is called
periodic motion.
Example : Motion of all planets around the sun, motion of bob of pendulum.
Oscillation motion :
The motion of a body is said to be oscillatory motion if it moves to and fro about
a fixed point after regular intervals of time.
Example :The motion of a bob of simple pendulum.
Oscillation or vibrating :
Let o be the equilibrium position and E1 and E2 are the extreme positions of the
oscillatory motion of a body. The motion of the body from o to E2 and then to E1
and back to o forms one oscillation or vibration.
Time period :
Time taken by a vibrating body to complete one oscillation is called its time
period. It is denoted by T. SI unit is second (s).
Frequency :
The number of oscillations complete by an oscillating body in one second is
called the frequency of the body.
RELATION BETWEEN SECOND IS CALLED AND TIME PERIOD
1
υ= ⇒ υt = 1
t

Displacement :
The distance travelled by an oscillating particle at any instant from its equilibrium
or mean position is known as the displacement of the particle at that instant.
Periodic functions :
Any function which repeats itself after regular interval of time is called
periodic function.
2π
f(t) = sin ωt = sin t
T
2π
g(t) = cos ωt = cos t
T

A periodic function F (t) which is the linear combination of sine and cosine
functions of same period is the represented by fourier series
Relation between simple harmonic motion and uniform circular motion :
Let α particle moving in circle in circle of radius r with constant angular velocity
ω. Point p is called reference point and circle is called circle of reference. At any
instant the particle is at p on the circle draw perpendicular pm on diameter yy'
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then M is called projection. As particle moves from x to y, projection m from o

to y, particle – y to x' projection y to o, particle – x' to y', projection in o to y'.
Particle y' to x, projection y' to o, therefore it is simple harmonic c motion.
CHARACTERISTICS OF S.H.M.
(i) Displacement :
This distance travelled at any instant by the body or a particle executing
simple harmonic motion from its mean position is called displacement.
𝑜𝑚
In ∆ opm, = sin θ ⇒ om = op sin θ, (θ = ωt)
𝑜𝑝

om = y, op = r, y = sin ωt
(ii) Amplitude :
The max, displacement of the particle from its mean position is called
amplitude.
y = r sin ωt, y = ymax if sin ωt = 1 or ωt = 90o, ymax = r
(iii) Velocity :
The rate of change of the displacement of the particle is called the velocity.
dy d d
y = r sin ωt, diff w.r.t. t, = r sin ωt = r sin ωt
dt dt dt
dy
v= = rw cos ωt
dt
Now cos2 ωt + sin2 ωt = 1
√1−y2 √r2 −y2
∴ cos ωt = =
r2 r
dy r2 −y2
= v = rw = w √r 2 − y 2
dt r
(iv) Acceleration :
The rate of change of the velocity of the particle is called its acceleration.
𝑑𝑦
v= = r w cos ωt.
𝑑𝑡
dv d d
Diff. both sides w.r.t. ‘t’, = (rw cos ωt) = rw (cos ωt)
dt dt dt
= rw (-w sin ωt) = - rw2 sin ωt
d2 y
Since r sin ωt = y ∴ = - w2y
lt2
d2 y
Since = a , a = - w2y
dt2
A particle executes S.H.M. if it moves to and fro about a fixed point such
that its acceleration at any instant is directly prop to its displacement at that
instant but the direction of the acceleration is opposite to the direction of the
displacement.
a∝-y
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(v) Phase :
The phase of an oscillating particle at any instant is its state as regards to its
positions and direction of motion w.r.t. mean position.
2π
y = r sin (ωt + ∅) = r sin ( t + ∅) is called phase of oscillating at any
T
instant,
The phase when the particle starts oscillating (t = 0) is called initial phase or
epoch.
Phase difference :
The difference between the phase of two oscillating particles is known as phase
difference.
Let phase of particle A = ωt, phase of particle B = (ωt + ∅)
Phase difference = (ωt + ∅) – ωt = ∅
Expressions for the time period and frequency of a particle executing
S.H.M.
The magnitude of acceleration of a particle executing S.H.M.
d2 y a
a= = w2y or w = √
dx2 2 y

2π
But w =
T

2π a y
=√ or T = 2π √
T y a

displacement
Time period T = 2π √
Acceleration

Expression for frequency.

1 1 Acceleration
υ= ⇒ υ = √
T 2𝜋 Displacement

Restoring force and force constant :

Let a spring whose one end is tied to a hook A and body of mass m is attached to
other end.
⃗ ext) to stretch the spring. As soon as external force is applied
Let external force (F
⃗ called restoring force comes into play which is equal and opposite
another force F
to the applied external force
⃗F = - ⃗Fext

According to hook’s law

⃗Fext ∝ x⃗, But ⃗Fext = - ⃗F
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⃗ ∝ x⃗ or F
-F ⃗ ∝ - x⃗ or F
⃗ = - kx⃗
⃗|
|F F
K = spring constant, k = ⃗|
=
|x x

SI unit = Newton / metre

D·F = [ML0 T-2]
Oscillation of a mass attached to a horizontal spring :
When external force ⃗Fext is applied, a restoring force ac ting in the spring
⃗ = - k x⃗ or F = - k x
F ...(1)
When external force is removed the restoring force brings the mass towards its
equilibrium position. It is compressed restoring force directed towards
equilibrium position. So the mass oscillate harmonically about its equilibrium
position.
Expression for time period
d2 x d2 x
If a = , F = ma = M ...(2)
dt2 dt2
−kx
Comparing eq (1) and (2) Ma = - kx or a = ⇒ aα – x
M

Displacement x
Time period T = 2π √ = 2π √
Accleration |a|

x M
T = 2π √ K = T = 2π √
| |x K
M

1 1 K
υ= ⇒υ √
T 2π M

Oscillations of mass attached with a vertical spring :

According to hooks law
F = - kl
Force applied by suspended weight
F = - Mg
Mg = kl
Suspended mass is further pulled through a distance x below its mean position,
force exerted on M by the spring
F' = - k (l + x)
∴ Total force acting on the mass M
f (force) = F' – F = - k (l + x) – (- kl) = - kx
When downward pulling force is removed, the body begins to oscillate up and
down
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f −kx
a= =
M M

𝑥
Time period T = 2π √ (acceleration ∝ displacement)
|𝑎|

M inertia fector
T = 2π √ = 2π √
k spring constant

Motion of a body suspended by two spring connected in parallel :

Let mass M is connected in parallel and k1 and k2 be the spring constant let a body
be pulled down and spring is stretched by a distance x, restoring force F1 and F2
will be developed.
According to hook’s law F1 = - k1x and F2 = - k2x
F = F1 + F2 = - (k1 + k2)x
F −(K2 +K2 )x
Acceleration a= =
M M

aα-x
x M
Time period T = 2π √ = 2π √
|a| K1 +K2

M
If K1 = K2 = K T = 2π √
2K

Motion of a body suspended by two springs connected in parallel :

Let a mass M connected in series, let k1 and k2 be the spring constant. If x1 and x2
be the extension produced in the spring
x = x1 + x2
Restoring force F1 = - k1x1, F2 = - k2x2
multiplying force k2 and k1 and adding
k2 F1 + k1 F2 = - k1k2 (x1 + x2) = - k1 k2 x
F1 = F2 = F (springs connected in series)
k1 k2
F (k1 + k2) = - k1k2x or F=- x
(k1 + k2 )
F k1 k2
acceleration a = =- aα - x
M (k1 + k2 )M

x (k1 + k2 )M 1 1
Time period T = 2π √ = 2π √ = 2π √( + )M
|a| k1 k2 k1 k2

1 1 2M
If k1 = k2 = k, T = 2π √( + )M = 2π √
k k k

Simple pendulum :
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A simple pendulum is a point mass suspended by weightless and inextensible

string fixed rigidly to a support.
When bob is displaced through an angle θ and it is located at extreme position E1,
various forces acting on it at position E1.
(a) Weight (= mg) of the bob in downward
direction.
(b) Tension (T) along the length of string.
Weight (mg) of bob is resolved into two
components
(i) Horizontal component = Mg cos θ,
Balanced by tension (T) in the string
T = Mg cos θ
(ii) Vertical component = mg sin θ, this
force id directed towards mean position and tends to restore the bob
back to its mean position
F = - mg sin θ
According to newton’s second law of motion F = ma
∴ Ma = - mg sin θ or a = - g sin θ
a=-gθ
x
(∵ θ = l )
g
a=- θ
l

aα - x
displacement
Time period of simple pendulum T = 2π √
acceleration

x l
= 2π √ = 2π √
|a| g

Time period of simple pendulum depends on

(i) Length of pendulum (ii) The acceleration due to gravity (g)
Second’s pendulum :
A simple pendulum whose time period is 2 seconds is known as second’s
pendulum
L L T2 g
Length second’s pendulum T = 2π √ ⇒ T2 = 4π2 or L =
g g 4π2

4 ×9.8
For second’s pendulum T = 25, ∴ L = = 0.99 m = 1 M
4 (3.14 3 )2
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Length of second’s pendulum is 1 m

1 1
frequency υ = = = 0.3 Hz
T 2

Energy in simple harmonic motion :

A particle executing simple harmonic motion possesses both the potential energy
and kinetic energy. The potential energy is equal to the work done to displace the
particle from its mean position to the given position and the kinetic energy is due
to the motion of the particle. O P Q
Energy E = P. E + K. E. dx
x
Potential energy :
Let a particle of mass M executing S.H.M. along straight line and it is displaced
through a distance x from mean position o to position p.
Acceleration at p
a = - ω2 x

F = ma = - ω2 x xm

Work done on the particle

⃗⃗⃗⃗ = F dx cos 180o

dw = ⃗F. dx

= - F dx

dw = mω2xdx

∴ Total work done to displace the particle from mean position (x = 0) to point p,
x x x2 1
W = ∫ dw = ∫0 mω2 x 2 dx = Mw ∫0 xdx = Mω2 [ ] = Mω2x2
2 2
1
P.E = W = M ω2x2
2
1
KINETIC ENERGY : K·E = MV2
2

Velocity of particle executing S.H.M at p

1
v = ω √𝑟 2 − 𝑥 2 , K·E = Mω 2 (r2 – x2)
2
1 1
E = Mω 2x2 + Mω2 ( r2 – x2)
2 2
1
E = Mω2 r2
2
1
Since ω = 2πυ ∴E= M4x π2υ2 r2s
2

E = 2π2 Mv 2 r 2
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Variation of kinetic energy and potential energy :

When particle is at mean position
1
x = 0, K· E = Mω2r2 (max), P·E = 0
2

At mean position, the whole of energy of particle is kinetic energy.

As the displacement of particle increases kinetic energy goes on decreasing. K.E
is being converted into potential energy.
1 1
K·E = Mω2 (r2 – r2) = 0, P·E = Mω2r2 (max)
2 2

The total energy (E) is represented by a straight line parallel to displacement axis,
this shows that total energy (E) of the particle at any instant remains constant.
Damped simple harmonic motion :
The total energy of the oscillating
system remains unchanged during
the motion and hence the system
will oscillate with constant
amplitude forever. Such oscillation
are called damped oscillations.
When a fractional force called
damping force comes in act there is
a decrease in energy and hence a
continuous decrease in amplitude of
the oscillation. and system comes to
rest. Such oscillations are called
damped oscillations.
Example :
(i) Oscillations of the bob of simple pendulum
(ii) Oscillations of swing in the air.
FREE OSCILLATIONS, FORCED OSCILLATIONS AND RESONANCE
Free oscillations :
If on being displaced from its position of equilibrium, it oscillates itself without
outside interference or it corresponds with natural frequency.
Forced oscillations :
When a system is compelled to oscillate with a frequency other than its natural
frequency, it is said to executed forced oscillations.
Example : The sound boards of stringed musical instruments suffer forced
vibrations.
Resonance :
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The phenomenon of producing oscillatory motion in a system by the influence of

external periodic force having the same frequency as that of the natural frequency
of system is called resonance.
Frequency of external periodic force = Natural frequency of system.
Example :
Soldiers of marching troops are ordered to break their steps while crossing over
a bridge because if the frequency of bridge matches the frequency of steps of
soldiers, it starts vibrating with large amplitude and gets damaged.