Section 3.1: Simple Harmonic Motion Review

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) occurs when the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from equilibrium. It is characterized by oscillatory motion.

Key Equations:
  • Displacement: \( x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi) \)
  • Velocity: \( v(t) = -\omega A \sin(\omega t + \phi) \)
  • Acceleration: \( a(t) = -\omega^2 x(t) \)
  • Angular frequency: \( \omega = 2\pi f = \sqrt{k/m} \)
  • Period: \( T = 2\pi/\omega \), Frequency: \( f = 1/T \)

Example 1

A mass-spring system with mass 0.5 kg and spring constant 200 N/m is displaced by 0.1 m. Find the period and maximum velocity.

Angular frequency: \( \omega = \sqrt{k/m} = \sqrt{200/0.5} = \sqrt{400} = 20 \text{ rad/s} \)

Period: \( T = 2\pi/\omega = 2\pi/20 \approx 0.314 \text{ s} \)

Maximum velocity: \( v_\text{max} = \omega A = 20 * 0.1 = 2 \text{ m/s} \)

Practice Problems

  1. A 0.2 kg mass oscillates on a spring with k = 50 N/m. Find its period and frequency.
  2. For a SHM with amplitude 0.15 m and angular frequency 10 rad/s, find maximum velocity and acceleration.
  3. A pendulum of length 1 m is displaced by 5°. Compute its period.
  4. Determine the displacement after 0.25 s if a 0.3 kg mass-spring system with ω = 15 rad/s starts from rest at maximum displacement 0.1 m.
  5. A mass-spring system oscillates with 3 Hz. Find angular frequency and period.