9.

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION AND OSCILLATIONS

(5 hours)
9.1 Simple Hrmo!i" Mo#io!

$h# is os"ill#io! or perio%i" mo#io!&
The back-and-forth motion of an object about a fixed point is called oscillation
For examples: the motion of the piston in a car engine, the swing bob of a
pendulum, the motion of a mass suspended from a spring.

Hori'o!#l spri!( os"ill#io!
In Fig 9.!a", when the mass is pulled, the spring is extended. #s the mass is
displaced to the right, the restoring force of the spring acting on the mass is
directed to the left. $ence when it is released, the mass will mo%e back to the left.
In Fig 9.!b", when the mass is at the point x&', the restoring force of the spring
&', since F&kx. This point is called e(uilibrium point.
$owe%er, the mass continues its motion to the left after passing through the
e(uilibrium point because of its inertia.
In Fig 9.!c", the spring is compressed as the mass continues its motion to the
left. The restoring force of the spring is now acting to the right.
From Fig 9.!a" and !b", it shows that the directions of the restoring force, F is
alwa)s directed toward the e(uilibrium point.
The back-and-forth motion of the mass attached to the spring is called simple
harmonic motion.

Fig 9.!a"
Fig 9.!b"
Fig 9.!c"
*(uilibrium line
F
F
x
E)u#io!s *or SHM
+) $ooke,s -aw, the restoring force, F on the spring %aries with the displacement
x as follow
F = - kx where k & spring constant ......... !9."
The restoring force F is proportional directl) to the displacement x. The negati%e sign
indicates that the force, F and the displacement, x alwa)s ha%e opposite signs.
The mass, which is performing simple harmonic motion has an acceleration, a
gi%en b)
a&
.
.
dt
x d

/sing 0ewton,s -aw of motion, F&ma

From e(uation !9." F&ma & - kx where m & mass attached on a spring.
Therefore
a& -
kx
m
or
.
.
dt
x d
& -
kx
m
...................................!9.."
1ince
k
m
is a constant, the acceleration, a is proportional to the
displacement, x.
If the mass is oscillating with an angular %elocit) or angular fre(uenc),, the
acceleration of the object is gi%en b)
+ ,
-
.. ................................ !9.2"
The maximum acceleration, a
max
&
.
#.
De*i!i#io! o* SHM

If the *or"e/ 0 acting on an object is proportional to the %ispl"eme!#/ . of the
object from its e(uilibrium point, the object is performing simple harmonic
motion. This force must alwa)s act in a direction towards the e(uilibrium point
of the object.
F= - kx
3r
#n object is in simple harmonic motion when its ""eler#io!/ is directl)
proportional to its %ispl"eme!#/ . from its e(uilibrium point or a fixed point and
its direction of motion must alwa)s towards this point.
a= -kx .
.
Hrmo!i" 1i2r#ors 3i#h Smll Os"ill#io!
The objects which experienced the oscillating simple harmonic motions are also
called as Hrmo!i" 1i2r#ors $i#h Smll Os"ill#io!. The examples are:
i" the cr)stal (uart4 in the watch,
ii" the current in an oscillating circuit,
iii" the %ibration of the atoms in the molecules or solid and
i%" the simple pendulum.
9.- 4i!em#i"s o* Simple Hrmo!i" Mo#io!
Simple Hrmo!i" mo#io! !% Cir"ulr mo#io!
In figure 9.., when the particle, 5 mo%es from the point 6 along the circle with
radius # in the anti-clockwise direction, its shadow, 7 is mo%ing
simultaneousl) towards the e(uilibrium point 3 along the x-axis.







If 37&x, then the e(uation for
the displacement of 7 can be written as
x & # cos 8
or
x & # cos t !9.9"
since cos 8 &x:# and the angular %elocit), & 8 :t

#t the time t&' .7 is located at the maximum displacement,
where x&#! amplitude"
2
Figure 9..
x
The displacement, x %erses time t graph can be shown as in figure 9.2

To sho3 #h# #he ""eler#io! o* SHM/ + ,
-
.
+) differentiating e(uation 9.9, the e(uation for the %elocit),
%&
dt
dx
& - # sint !9.;"
<ifferentiating 9.; again, the e(uation for the acceleration, a, is gi%en b)
a&
.
.
dt
x d
&
dv
dt
& -
.
# cos t
1ubstitute x&# cos t
Then +,
-
. !9.="

5rph o* ""eler#io! 6ersus %ispl"eme!#

Figure 9.9 shows the graph of acceleration %ersus displacement, x for the
e(uation 9.=.
The same graph can be obtained if the e(uation 9., is plotted with restoring
force F %ersus displacement, x.
F = - kx= -
.
x a
The gradient of the graph&
.
. $ence the angular %elocit) can be determined.
The x- intercept & x
o
& its amplitude of oscillation.


9
Figure 9.9
a
x&#cost
Figure 9.2
5e!erl solu#io!s *or +,
-
.
For the differential e(uation,
.
.
dt
x d
& -
.
x, it can be shown mathematicall)
that the solutions are
x& # sin! t >? " !9.@.a"
or x&# cos! t >? " !9.@.b"
where ? is the angular phase.
From e(uation 9.@.a, at t&' and x&', then
' & # sin ! ' > ? "
and ? &' x & # sin t
+ut for e(uation 9.@.b at t&', and x&#
# & # cos ! ' > ? "
and ? &' x & # cos t
$ence if ?&', the displacement e(uations are
x & # sin t !9.A.a"
or x & # cos t !9.A.b"
5rphs o* () %ispl"eme!#/ (2) 6elo"i#7/ !% (") ""eler#io!
;
Figure 9.; !a" displacement, !b" %elocit), and !c" acceleration
Figure 9.; !a", !b", !c" demonstrate how displacement, %elocit) and the acceleration
change with time. From the graphs it is obser%ed that
i" $he! #+8/ displacement, x&', the maximum %elocit) %
max
&
.
# and
acceleration, a&'.
ii" $he! #+T9:, displacement, x&#! maximum", the %elocit) % &', and
acceleration, a& -
.
#, ! its negati%e maximum %alue".
iii" $he! #+T9-, displacement, x&' , the %elocit) % &- #! its negati%e
maximum %alue" and acceleration, a &'.
The perio%i" #ime/ T o* SHM /
The time for a bod) to mo%e in a complete oscillation in a 1$B is called
5eriod, T.
The number of oscillations in one second is called fre(uenc), f .
f &
n
t T
= , where n&number of oscillations. For one oscillation, n&
and the time taken&T, the period
+ut &
.
T

, where is the angular %elocit).

. T

= 1o f &

.
$ence the function !x & # sin t" is repeated at each periodic time T.
The m.imum 6elo"i#7 o* SHM
<ifferentiating the displacement e(uation/ x & # cos t, we obtain the
%elocit), % & - # sin t
+ut sin
.
t > cos
.
t &
sin t&
. . . .

cos ! "
x
t A x
A A
= =
1ubstitute sin t into the %elocit) e(uation
%&C
. .
x A !9.9"
when x&', the maximum %elocit), 6
m;
+ < A !9.'"
For 1$B, the object has its maximum %elocit) when it is at the e(uilibrium
point. Fig 9.= shows the %ariation of the %elocit) with the displacement
%
>#
x


- #
Fig. 9.=
=
E.mple 9.1
The e(uation of motion for a particle oscillating in simple harmonic motion is
gi%en as : x& ; sin 2t., where x is the displacement in cm.
a" what is its amplitude,
b" Find its period of oscillation,
c" what is its displacement at time t&'..s
d" Find its maximum %elocit),
e" 1ketch the graph of displacement against time.
1olution:
a" The amplitude, #& ; cm.
b" From the e(uation gi%en, the angular %elocit),
&2&
.
T

$ence the period, T&!.":2&..'9s
c" x& ; sin 2!'.."& ; sin '.=x
A'
o

& ;sin 29.2A
o
& ..A. cm.
d" The maximum %elocit) , %
max
&#
& 2x!;x'
-.
"
& '.;ms
-
.
e" <isplacement, x
t
E.mple 9.-
The graph below shows the forces acting on a particle of mass, .kg.
@
F:0
.'0
'.m
-'.m '
-.'0
a" Dhat t)pe of motion is the particle
followingE Fi%e reason for )our answer.
b" Dhat is its amplitudeE
c" Find i" its angular %elocit),
ii" its period,
iii" its maximum %elocit).


1olution:
a" The particle is following a simple harmonic motion. It is because the force is
proportion to its displacement.
b" The amplitude is '.m
c" From the e(uation F& -m
.
x
i" The slope of the graph& m
.

.x
.
& .':'.
& ' rads
-
.
The angular %elocit) is ' rads
-
ii" /sing &
.
T

& '
The period, T&'.=2s
iii" The maximum %elocit),
%
max
&#&' x '.&.' ms
-
.
9.= S7s#ems o* simple Hrmo!i" Mo#io!
The e!er(7 o* SHM
To#l me"h!i"l e!er(7:
The total mechanical energ) of the s)stem of 1$B consists of kinetic
energ), G and the potential energ), /. The energ) is conser%ati%e if there is
no external force acted on it.
To#l me"h!i"l e!er(7/ E+ 4 > ? !9."
4i!e#i" e!er(7:
For a simple pendulum which oscillates as a 1$B, the kinetic energ), G for the
bob of mass m and its %elocit) %, is gi%en b)
G& H m%
.
Its %elocit), %&
. .
x A
$ence 4 + @ mA
-
(A
-
B .
-
)C !9.."
The %alue of G is maximum when x&', i.e. when the bob of the pendulum is at
the e(uilibrium point of the 1$B.
$ence the kinetic energ) at the e(uilibrium point is
G & H m
.
#
.
!9.2"
A
The %ariation of G with x is shown in figure 9.@. 5 and 7 are the intersection
points for the graphs G and /. #t these points G & /.
Po#e!#il e!er(7:
The potential energ) of a mass suspended from a spring is e(ual to the amount
of potential energ) stored b) the spring which is extended b) x.
/& H kx
.
where k is the spring constant.
From the e(uation of motion, F&ma& -kx and for 1$B, a& -
.
x

.
&
k
m
k&m
.
Then, ?+@ m
-
.
-
.
Dhen the mass suspended is at its e(uilibrium point, x&', no energ) is stored in
the spring, the total energ) of the s)stem, * is gi%en b) its kinetic energ), i.e.

* & H m
.
#
.
!9.9"
The total energ) * at an) displacement & G >/ .
Therefore from * & G > /, substitute * and G , we ha%e
H m
.
#
.
&H mI
.
!#
.
J x
.
"K > /
Then / &H m
.
x
.
!9..;"
From Fig.9.@, the potential energ), / of the 1$B is maximum, when x& C
#!#mplitude". / is minimum i.e. 4ero when the mass is situated at its
e(uilibrium point.

*nerg)

Figure 9.@
9
Total *nerg)
* & G > /&H m
.
#
.
/ &H m
.
x
.
G&H mI
.
!#
.
J x
.
"K
L
4 !% ? s *u!"#io! o* #imeD
From e(uation 9.., if x& # sin t, the kinetic energ),
G&H mI
.
!#
.
J #
.
sin
.
t "K
&H m
.
#
.
! J sin
.
t "
&H m
.
#
.
! J cos
.
t " !9.="
The potential energ),
/ &H m
.
x
.

&H m
.
sin
.
t

!9.@"
The %ariations of G and / with time, is shown in the figure 9.A where T is
the period time for one oscillation.
The total energ), * is constant and it does not change with time, t.

Figure9.A
E.mple 9.=
# steel strip, clamped at one end, %ibrates with a fre(uenc) of .' $4. 3n the free
end, a small object of mass .g is attached. If the amplitude of the oscillation is
;mm,
find ! a " the %elocit) of the object when it passes through the 4ero position,
! b " the acceleration of the object at its maximum displacement,
! c " the maximum kinetic and potential energ) of the object.
1olution
The oscillation of the steel strip is a 1$B, with ) as the displacement.
! a " The %elocit) , %,&
. .
y A .
Dhen the end of the strip passes through the 4ero position
)&'M and the maximum speed %
m
is gi%en b)
%
m
& #,
+ut & .

f & .

x.' , and #&'.'';m,

%
m
& .

x.'x'.'';& '.=.A ms
-
! b " The acceleration & -
.
) & -
.
# at the maximum displacement,
'
*&H m
.
#
.

/&H m
.
sin
.
t

G &H m
.
cos
.
t

t
acceleration, a & !.

x.'"
.
x '.'';
& @A.9= ms
-.
.
! c " m&.g&.x'
-2
kg, %
m
& '.=.A ms
-
.
maximum G & H m%
m
.
& H x!.x'
-2
" x '.=.A
.
& 2.99 x'
-9
N
Baximum / & maximum G & 2.99 x'
-9
N
E.mple 9.:
# helical spring with a particle of mass .''g suspended from its free end, is
extended b) ..'' cm. If the mass is oscillating in %ertical plane,
a" 5ro%e that the mass is in simple harmonic motion, and
b" Find i" the period of the motion.
ii" the fre(uenc) of its oscillation.
iii" the maximum %elocit) of the particle
i%" the maximum kinetic energ) of the particle.
1olution:
a"
The downward force on the spring& the weight of the mass&mg
The restoring force of the spring&kx ,
where k is a constant of the spring in 0m
-
.
Thus, mg &kx & k x !..''x'
-.
"OOOO......OO..!i"
If the mass is x m below its original position at some instant and is mo%ing
downwards, then the extension&! x > ..''x'
-.
"m,
the net downward force &mg J k! x > '.'."
& mg J kx'.'. J kx & - kx
/sing F&ma & - kx

The acceleration, a & -
m
k
x
Pompare with the e(uation of 1$B, a& -
.
x , then the mass suspended from
the helical spring is oscillating with 1$B.
b"!i"
From e(uation !i",
m
k
&
'. . '
g
#cceleration, a &
'. . '
g
x & -
.
x, where
.
&


'. . '
g
.
5eriod T &

.
&
g : '. . '
& 9.;.x'
-.
s
!ii" Fre(uenc), f&
.

9.;. ' T x

= & .. $4.

!iii" The maximum %elocit),

%
max
&#&.f#&.x.. x '.'.&..@= ms
-
! i% " The maximum kinetic energ),
G& H m%
.
&

H !.''x'
-2
"x!..@="
.

& '.@=N
To %e#ermi!e #he perio% *or s7s#em o* #he SHM s7s#em
() Mo#io! o* mss ##"he% #o hori'o!#l spri!(.

x
Figure 9.9 Botion of mass attached to the spring on smooth surface.
The figure 9.9 shows the motion of a mass attached to the spring on a smooth,
frictionless surface.
Dhen the spring is stretched b) amount x, from its e(uilibrium point, the
restoring force of the spring, F will act in the opposite direction .The same thing
happens when the spring is compressed.
#ccording to $ooke,s -aw
F &- kx ! k & spring constant " !9.A"
The force, F which acted on the mass is proportional directl) to the displacement,
x and alwa)s acting towards its e(uilibrium point.
The negati%e sign indicates that F is alwa)s in the opposite direction to the
displacement.
From 0ewton,s second -aw of motion, e(uation 9.A can be written as
.
*(uilibrium -ine
F
F
F
F & - kx & ma
$ence the acceleration, a.& -
m
k
x !9.9"
Pompare with the e(uation of 1$B: a& -
.
x

.
&
m
k

The angular %elocit), &
k
m
!9..'"
The period, T& .Q
m
k
!9.."
E.mple 9.5

# mass of .''g is attached to a hori4ontal spring on a frictionless surface. The
mass is pulled ..''cm to the right from its e(uilibrium point and then releases. It
oscillates in 1$B. If the spring constant is ''0m
-
, find the fre(uenc) of the
mass.
1olution:
/sing $ooke,s -aw: F& - kx and
the e(uation for 1$B: F& -m
.
x
m
.
&k
&
k
m

The fre(uenc) is gi%en b) , & .Qf
f &
2
''
. . . .'' '
k
m x

= =
& 2.;= $4.
2
(2) Simple Pe!%ulum

In figure 9.', the weight of the bob, mg can be resol%ed into two
perpendicular components.
The component tangential to the circular path &mg sin 8 is the restoring force,
F, which acted on the bob to bring it back to its e(uilibrium position.
F & mg sin 8 !9..."
In 035 sin 8 &
l
x
From 0ewton,s second -aw
F & ma & - mg sin 8& - mg
l
x

IThe negati%e sign indicates F and x act in opposite directionsK
$ence, the acceleration, a & - g
l
x
!9..2"
Pompare with the e(uation for 1$B: a & -
.
x

.
&
g
l
&
g
l
!9..9"
and the period , T &.Q
l
g
!9..;"
E.mple 9.E
9
Figure 9.' 1imple 5endulum

# student uses a simple pendulum of length A'.'cm to determine the
gra%itational acceleration, g. If there are .' oscillations in 2;.9s, find:
i" The %alue of g, the acceleration due to gra%it),
ii" The period of oscillation if the experiment is done in the moon,
where its gra%itational field strength is onl) := of that of the earth.
1olution:
i" The period, T&2;.9:.'&.@9;s
/sing T &.Q
l
g

T
.
& 9 Q
.

l
g
g& 9 Q
.
!
.
.
. .
A' '
" 9
.@9;
l x
T

=
& 9.A' ms
-.
.
ii" From T
.
& 9 Q
.

l
g
T
.
g & constant
!T
.
g"
moon
& !T
.
g"
earth

T
.
!:="g & !.@9;"
.
g
T& 9.9's
(") Os"ill#io! o* li)ui% i! ? #u2e.



+) blowing air gentl) down the right arm, the li(uid there will be lower then
the one on the left with a displacement, x. $owe%er, the li(uid will
immediatel) return to the right arm.
The le%els of the li(uid in the tube will oscillate for a short time before finall)
coming to rest. The motion is one example of 1$B.
If the e(uilibrium le%el for the li(uid in both arms of the tube is 1. The heights
of the li(uid in both arms are h.
;
-i(uid
water
-eft 6ight

Figure 9.
Dhen the li(uid is displaced in the left arm of the tube, the excess pressure in
the left arm is gi%en
5 & .x R g where R is the densit) of the li(uid and g is the acceleration
due to gra%it)
The force F which causes the li(uid to oscillate is
F& .x R g # where #& cross section area of the tube.
From 0ewton 1econd law, F &ma,
$ence ma & .x R g # !9..="
Dhere m& mass of the li(uid in the tube i.e.
m & .h R #
+) replacing m into e(uation 9..=, it becomes
!.h R #" a & -.x R g #.
IThe minus sign is used because the force and the displacement are alwa)s in
opposite direction.K
$ence
The acceleration, a & -
h
g
x
Pompare with the e(uation of a 1$B, a & -
.
x,

.
x&
h
g
x !9..@"
& S ! g:h"


The period, T &.Q S ! h:g" !9..A"
=
(%) Torsio! Pe!%ulum
In the figure 9.., a rod is suspended at the center of gra%it) b) a wire 03. If
the rod is rotated b) a small angle and then released, it will oscillate back and
forth about the e(uilibrium axis 35. This oscillating motion is an example of
1$B.
Dhen the rod is rotated b) a small angle 8, a restoring tor(ue, T will cause the
rod to return to its e(uilibrium position 35
The restoring tor(ue is T &k 8, !9..9"
where k is tor(ue per unit radian
Tor(ue is gi%en also as
T &I, &
.
.
dt
d
,

where I and are the moment of inertia and the angular acceleration
respecti%el).
$ence T& I
.
.
dt
d

Ponse(uentl), I
.
.
dt
d
& k 8
and
.
.
dt
d
& -
I
k
8 !9.2'"


@
Figure .9..
Pompare with the e(uation of a 1$B for angular displacement,
&
.
.
dt
d
& -
.
8

The angular %elocit)
& S !k:I" !9.2"
and the 5eriod, T &.Q
I
k
!9.2."
since T &
.

E.mple 9.F
# circular disc is suspended with a steel wire with tor(ue per unit radian, k&''
0m rad
-
. Dhen it is displaced with a small angle, it oscillates ' times in
...;s, calculate the moment of inertia of the disc.
1olution:
/sing: T &.Q
I
k
T& ...;:'& ...;s

T
.
& 9 Q
.

I
k

. .
. .
'' !...;"
9 9
kT x
I

= = & ..A kgm
.
9.: 0ree os"ill#io!
# free oscillation is an oscillation that is free of an) external force while the
s)stem is oscillating.
0o energ) is lost externall) and so the total energ) of the s)stem is alwa)s
constant.
The total energ), * is gi%en b)
*&H m
.
x
o
.
!.22"



A
Time, t

<isplacement, x

Figure 9.2
In figure 9.2, the graph displacement %ersus time shows that the amplitudes
are alwa)s constant because the total energ), * is a constant.

*%er) free oscillation s)stem possesses its natural fre(uenc), which is
determined b) certain factors.
Free oscillation is one example of prefect 1$B. 3ther examples are simple
pendulum, loaded spring, li(uid in / tube and the torsion pendulum.
1.5 Dmpe% Os"ill#io!
# damped oscillation occurs when there are external forces disturbing the
oscillation.
5art of the energ) of the s)stem is lost since work has to be done to o%ercome
these force. Therefore the amplitudes of the oscillation would not remain
constant but become progressi%el) smaller. Thus a damped oscillation is not a
prefect 1$B .




In Figure 9.9, it shows a mass, which suspended from a spring, is oscillating
in water. There is alwa)s resistance due to the water that opposes the motion
of the mass.
9
exponent
Dater
Figure .2
water
load
Figure 9.9
-x
'
exponent
Figure 9.;
The energ) of the s)stem is lost graduall) as work has to be done to o%ercome
this resistance. The amplitude of the oscillation will decrease graduall) and
finall) become 4ero. $ence the oscillation is a damped oscillation
Figure .2 shows a damped oscillation. The amplitude is progressi%el)
reduced with time, t.
From the e(uation, *&H m
.
x
o
.
, we can deduce that the energ) of the s)stem
is also progressi%el) decreasing and becomes 4ero finall) .
There are three t)pes of damped oscillations
i. under damped
ii. criticall) damped
iii. o%er damped
The u!%er %mpe% os"ill#io!
It is oscillation where the amplitudes are decreasing with time until it becomes
4ero. The mass which oscillates in the water is an example of such oscillation.
The "ri#i"ll7 %mpe% os"ill#io!
For a criticall) damped oscillation, there is a resistance that pre%ents the
s)stem to %ibrate. The time for its motion is %er) short.
*xample of such damped oscillation is the shock absorber s)stem of a %ehicle.
The passenger is not affected much when the %ehicle is mo%ing along a bump)
road.

O6er %mpe% os"ill#io!
If the damping is %er) strong, the s)stem does not %ibrate at all. It is called
o%er damped motion. 1uch s)stem takes a long time to come back to its
e(uilibrium position.
If the mass suspended from the spring is submerged in a %er) %iscous li(uid,
such as lubrication oil, the mass will mo%e upward %er) slowl) and then stops.
#ll these motion are show in figure 9.=.
.'
Pritical damping
3%er damping
/nder damping
Figure 9.=

9.E 0or"e% Os"ill#io! !% Reso!!"e.
# +
In order to keep a s)stem, which is damped, in continuous oscillator) motion
an external periodic forces must be used. 1uch an oscillation is called forced
oscillation.
The fre(uenc) of this force is called the forcing fre(uenc). It is not the natural
fre(uenc) of the s)stem.
Figure 9.@ shows three pendulums L, U, V and a dri%e pendulum are
suspended from a string #+. The lengths of the pendulum L, U and V are
different, but the length of the dri%e pendulum is same as that of U.
The three pendulums, L, U, and V are initiall) stationar). The dri%e pendulum
is set in oscillation b) a small displacement.

Dhen the dri%e pendulum is oscillating, L, U and V will start to oscillate with
different amplitudes. $owe%er onl) pendulum U is oscillating with the same
amplitude as the dri%e pendulum.
.
Figure 9.@
V
bob

5endulum U has the greatest amplitude among the three pendulums
suspended. 5endulum U is in a state of reso!!"e. Its fre(uenc) is the same
as that of the dri%e pendulum.
Dhen the forcing fre(uenc) is same as that of the natural fre(uenc) of the
s)stem, then resonance will take place as show in Figure 9.A.
#mplitude
Figure 9.A
Dhen the fre(uenc) of the dri%e pendulum is increased, the amplitude of the
forced pendulum also increased.
The amplitude of the forced pendulum becomes maximum, if the fre(uenc) of
the dri%e pendulum is the same as the natural fre(uenc) of the forced
pendulum.
E.mples o* Reso!!"e
i" Dhen a lorr) passes b) at a certain speed, the road seems to %ibrate
because of resonance. In this case, the fre(uenc) of the lorr) e(uals the
natural fre(uenc) of the road.
ii" #n old bus seems to %ibrate at a certain speed when its natural fre(uenc)
e(uals that of the engine. $owe%er, if the fre(uenc) of the engine is
changed b) mo%ing faster or slowl), the %ibration will stop. #nother wa)
to stop the %ibration is to change the natural fre(uenc) of the bus b)
reducing the number of passengers.
iii" # house built nearb) the airport will %ibrate when an airplane fl)ing o%er
it. The fre(uenc) of the noise from the engine of the airplane e(uals the
natural fre(uenc) of the house.
i%" The wind blowing o%er the sea has a certain fre(uenc). If this fre(uenc) is
same as the natural fre(uenc) of the bridge, the bridge will %ibrate because
of resonance.
S?MMARG
SHM
i" If the *or"e/ 0 acting on an object is proportional to the %ispl"eme!#/ . of
..
/nder damping
3%er damping
<ri%er fre(uenc)
6esonance fre(uenc)
the object from its e(uilibrium point, the object is performing simple
harmonic motion.
This force must alwa)s act in a direction towards the e(uilibrium point of the
object.
F= - kx
3r
ii" #n object is in simple harmonic motion when its ""eler#io!/ / is directl)
proportional to its %ispl"eme!#/ . from its e(uilibrium point or a fixed point
and its direction of motion must alwa)s towards this point.
a= -kx .
#cceleration of 1$B, a& -
.
x
The perio%i" #ime/ T o* SHM
The time for a bod) to mo%e in a complete oscillation in a 1$B is called
5eriod, T. T&
.

, where is the angular %elocit).

The m.imum 6elo"i#7 o* SHM

%&C
. .
x A

4i!e#i" e!er(7: 4 + @ mA
-
(A
-
B .
-
)C

Po#e!#il e!er(7: ?+@ m

-
.
-

To#l e!er(7 D E+@ m

-
A
-

SHM S7s#ems
S7s#em Perio%/T
Bass attached to a hori4ontal spring
T& .Q
m
k
1imple pendulum
T &.Q
l
g

-i(uid in a u tube
T &.Q
l
g

Torsion pendulum
T &.Q
I
k
0ree os"ill#io!
# free oscillation is an oscillation that is free of an) external force while the
s)stem is oscillating.
0o energ) is lost externall) and so the total energ) of the s)stem is alwa)s
constant.
Dmpe% Os"ill#io!
.2
# damped oscillation occurs when there are external forces disturbing the
oscillation.
5art of the energ) of the s)stem is lost to o%ercome these force. Therefore the
amplitudes of the oscillation become progressi%el) smaller
T)pes of damped oscillations
i. under damped
ii. criticall) damped
iii. o%er damped
0or"e% os"ill#io!: there are external periodic forces to keep the s)stem in
continuous oscillator) motion.
Reso!!"e takes place when the forcing fre(uenc) is same as that of the
natural fre(uenc) of the s)stem. The amplitude of oscillation is maximum.
T?TORAIL 9
O2He"#i6e Iues#io!s
. # particle is performing simple harmonic motion with its displacement,
x. If x is gi%en as x&2' sin .'t where t is the time in second, what is the
fre(uenc) of the s)stem.
#.
'

$4 P.
2'

$4
+.
'

$4 <.
2'

$4
.. # particle is performing simple harmonic motion about a point 3 with its
amplitude a and period T. The displacement of the particle at time T:A after it
passes through 3 is
#.
.
a
P.
.
a
+.
2
.
a
<
.
a
.
2. # particle is performing simple harmonic motion with its amplitude ..'x'
-2
m
and period '.'s. The maximum %elocit) of the particle in ms
-
is
#. '.'A P. '.2;
+. '.2 <. '.9@
9. Two masses 5 and 7 are suspended with two wires separatel). The moments of
inertia of both masses are the same. The masses are set into oscillations with
the same angular amplitudes. If the fre(uenc) of 7 is twice that of 5, what is
the ratio of the maximum kinetic energ) of 5 to that of 7E
#. := P H.
+. W <. .
.9
;. # particle is performing simple harmonic motion. Dhich of the following
graphs represents the relationship between the force, F and the displacement of
the particleE
# + P <
F F F F
' x ' x ' x ' x
=. The %alues of the acceleration, a and displacement x for a particle performing
simple harmonic motion are shown in the table below:
a!mms
-.
" = A ' -A -=
x!mm" -. - ' .
Dhat is the period of the oscillationE
#. .
.

s P.
.

s
+.
.
.

s <.
9

s
@. The acceleration due to gra%it) on earth is six times that of the moon. If the
period of a simple pendulum on earth is s, what is the period for the same
pendulum on moonE
#.:=s P. =s
+ :
=
s <.
=
s
A. # mass attached to a spring is performing simple harmonic motion with constant
amplitude ;.' cm on a smooth hori4ontal table. The maximum kinetic energ) of
the mass is .'N. If the potential energ) is 'N, what is the magnitude of the
displacement from its e(uilibrium positionE
#. .9cm P. ..;'cm
+. ...9cm <. 2.;9cm
S#ru"#ure% Iues#io!sD
.;
.
. # particle is performing a simple harmonic motion according to the e(uation
gi%en: )& ' sin t, where, , is the angular %elocit) of the particle in rad s
-
and t is the time in second. If the period of the oscillation is 2's, find
a. The amplitude,
b. The maximum %elocit) of the particle,
c. The maximum acceleration of the particle,
d. The displacement, %elocit) and acceleration of the particle when t&
;s.
.. #n object mo%ing with simple harmonic motion has an amplitude of . cm and
a fre(uenc) of .'$4. Palculate
a. the period of oscillation,
b. the acceleration at the middle and end of an oscillation,
c. the %elocities at the corresponding instants in !ii".
2. # bod) of mass .''g is performing simple harmonic motion with amplitude of
.'mm. The maximum force which acts upon it is '.'=90. Palculate
a. its maximum %elocit), and
b. period of oscillation.
9. If the displacement of a particle in simple harmonic motion is gi%en b)
)&#sint, show that the %elocit) of the particle is
% &
. .
dy
A y
dt
=
;. The graph for a particle in 1$B is shown below:
)!cm"
9

' '.= .. t!s"
-9
a" <etermine
i" the amplitude,
ii" the fre(uenc),
iii" the period and
b" Drite the displacement e(uation in the form of )&)
o
sin !t > "
=. a" The time taken for .' oscillations of a simple pendulum is 2=..s.Dhat is
the length of the simple pendulum in a place where the acceleration
due to gra%it), g&9.Ams
-.
E
b" Dhat is the fre(uenc) of the simple pendulum from !a" if it is located in a
lift which is accelerating upward with ..''ms
-.
E
c" Dhat will be the fre(uenc) of the simple pendulum if it is falling freel)E
.=
@. # particle of mass '..kg is performing 1$B with amplitude, '.;m and period,
9s. <etermine
a" %elocit), b" kinetic energ) c" potential energ)
at a point > '..m from its e(uilibrium position.
A. # uniform wooden rod floats upright in water with a length of 2' cm
immersed. If the rod is depressed slightl) and then released, pro%e that its
motion is simple harmonic and calculate the period.
9. # particle of mass .kg is mo%ing in simple harmonic motion. The changes of
potential energ), / with its displacement, x is shown in the graph below
/!joule"
.'
-'.. ' '.. x!m"

<etermine from the graph:
a" the angular %elocit) of the particle,
b" the period of oscillation.
Ess7 Iues#io!sD
. a" *xplain what is meant b) simple harmonic motion.
b" 1how that the %ertical oscillations of a mass suspended b) a light
helical spring are simple harmonic and describe an experiment with the
spring to determine the acceleration due to gra%it), g.
c" # small mass rests on a hori4ontal platform which %ibrates %erticall)
in simple harmonic motion with a period of '.;' second. Find the
maximum amplitude of the motion which will allow the mass to
remain in contact with the platform throughout the motion.
.. a"*xplain briefl) what is the meaning of:
i" free oscillation, ii" force oscillation and iii" resonance
1tate the conditions for resonance to occur.
b" /sing the same axes, sketch a set of graphs to show the %ariations of
the amplitudes of an oscillating particle with the changes in the forced
fre(uenc) :
i. under damped oscillation
ii. criticall) damped oscillation, and
iii. o%erdamped oscillation.
.@
2. a" Fi%e two practical examples of oscillator) motion which are simple
harmonic motions.
b" 1tate the conditions necessar) for them to perform the simple harmonic
motion
c " # point- mass is mo%ing with simple harmonic motion. <raw sketch graphs
on the same axes to show the %ariation with position of
i" the potential energ),
ii" the kinetic energ) ,and
iii" the total energ) of the mass.
.A