1. Kinematics of simple harmonic motion (SHM)
Physics 12
Resource: Giancoli Chapter 11
Kinematics of simple harmonic motion (SHM)

2. Objectives Describe examples of oscillations
Define the terms displacement, amplitude, frequency, period and phase difference.
Define simple harmonic motion (SHM).
Solve problems using the defining equation for SHM.

3. Objectives Apply equations for the kinematics of SHM.
Solve problems both graphically and by calculation, for acceleration, velocity and displacement during SHM.

4. Waves and oscillations
To oscillate means to move back and forth.
Can you give examples of oscillation?

5. Waves and oscillations
All things that oscillate / vibrate are ultimately linked.
Their motion can be explained using the concept of waves.
For simplicity, let us take the example of a simple pendulum.

6. Kinematics of SHM Consider the following pendulum:
A block of mass m attached to a spring that oscillates horizontally on a frictionless surface.
The equilibrium position is the point at which the mass rests, without external stretching or compression.

7. Kinematics of SHM
The force exerted by the spring is represented by the following expression:
F = -kx
where F is the force exerted by the spring
k is the spring constant (dependent on the material of the spring)
and x is the displacement of the mass m
What does the negative sign signify?

8. Kinematics of SHM
The negative sign connotes that the restorative force of a spring is always in the opposite direction of the displacement.
When the spring is stretched and displacement x is to the right, the spring exerts a force that restores it to the left (back to equilibrium position x = 0)
When the spring is compressed and displacement is to the left, the spring exert a force to the right.

9. Kinematics of SHM Consider the following simple pendulum:
A mass m hanging vertically from a spring with spring constant k.
Would the equilibrium position x0 be the same as the pendulum which oscillates horizontally?

10. Kinematics of SHM
The spring would be stretched an extra amount related to the weight of the mass:
F = mg
The equilibrium point may be defined as the point where
ΣF = 0
ΣF = mg – kx0
0 = mg – kx0

11. Kinematics of SHM
A family of 200 kg steps into a 1200-kg car and the car lowers 3.0 cm.
What is the spring constant k of the car’s springs?
How much further would the car lower if the family was 300 kg?

12. Kinematics of SHM
6.5 x 104 Nm-1
4.5 cm

13. Definition of SHM
When the family’s mass is 200 kg, the springs compress 3.0 cm
When half of the mass is added, i.e. the family’s mass is 300 kg, the springs compress 4.5 cm.
What do you notice?

14. Definition of SHM
An oscillator for which the force exerted is proportional to its displacement is called a simple harmonic oscillator.
In other words, simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a type of motion for which
F = -kx holds true.

15. Definition of SHM
Are the following oscillators simple harmonic in nature?
F = 0.5x2
F = -2.3y
F = 8.6x
F = -40t

16. Definition of SHM no
yes
Why isn’t (c) an SHO?

17. Periodic nature of SHM
Imagine the motion of a simple pendulum oscillating vertically.
Consider the following characteristics:
maximum v
maximum PE
v = 0
minimum PE
maximum a
maximum KE
a = 0
minimum KE

18. Periodic nature of SHM Consider the following characteristics:
maximum v
maximum PE
v = 0
minimum PE
maximum a
maximum KE
a = 0
minimum KE

19. Periodic nature of SHM
Computer simulation

20. Periodic nature of SHM Recall the graph of an SHO’s motion.
Is acceleration constant?
How would you describe the shape of the graph?

21. Periodic nature of SHM

22. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
Definition of terms
Term
Definition
displacement, x
the movement of particles above and below the mean position
amplitude, A
the difference between the maximum displacement and the mean position
period, T
the amount of time required to complete one cycle (between two identical positions)
frequency, f
the number of complete cycles passing a given point in one second (Hz)
wavelength, λ
the distance covered in a complete wave cycle.

23. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
Wave motion

24. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
Construct the following graphs: displacement-time velocity – time acceleration – time for a pendulum starting at maximum displacement and one starting at equilibrium position.

25. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
SHM is said to be sinusoidal in nature.
Depending on the starting point, the relationship between certain variables (displacement, velocity, acceleration) and time can either be a sine or cosine function.

26. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
Relationship between period T and frequency f f (in s-1 or Hz) = T (in s) = What is the relationship between period and frequency?

27. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
Period T of SHM T = 2π

28. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
A spider of mass 0.30 g waits in its web of negligible mass. A slight movement causes the web to vibrate with a frequency of about 15 Hz.
Estimate the value of the spring stiffness constant k for the web
At what frequency would you expect the web to vibrate if an insect of mass 0.10 g were trapped with the spider.

29. Sinusoidal nature of SHM
k = 2.7 N/m
f = 13 Hz

30. Energy of SHM Is work done when a spring is stretched or compressed?
How is the energy stored?

31. Energy of SHM
When a spring is stretched or compressed, work is done and converted into the potential energy of the spring.
Elastic potential energy is given by the expression:
PE = ½ kx2
Describe what happens to a spring in terms of energy as it completes one cycle.

32. Energy of SHM
Total mechanical E = KE +PE Total mechanical E = ½ mv2 + ½ kx2 Derive expressions for total mechanical energy, E, at maximum displacement and equilibrium position.

33. Energy of SHM
At x = A and x = -A, v = 0, therefore: E = ½ m(02) + ½ kA2 E = ½ kA2 At equilibrium point, x = 0 and v = vmax, therefore: E = ½ mvmax2 + ½ k(0)2 E = ½ mvmax2

34. Energy of SHM
Use the conservation of mechanical energy to deduce an expression for the instantaneous velocity of an SHO (velocity v at any time) in terms of vmax, x, and A: v = ± vmax

35. Energy of SHM
Suppose a spring oscillator is stretched to twice the amplitude (x = 2A). What happens to the:
energy of the system
maximum velocity of the oscillator
maximum acceleration of the mass

36. Energy of SHM energy is quadrupled maximum velocity is doubled
acceleration is doubled

37. Energy of SHM
A spring stretches m when a kg mass is gently lowered on it. The spring is set up on a frictionless table. The mass is pulled so that the spring is stretched m from the equilibrium point then released from rest. Determine the:
spring stiffness constant k
amplitude of horizontal oscillation A
magnitude of maximum velocity vmax
magnitude of velocity v when the mass is m from equilibrium and
magnitude of the maximum acceleration amax of the mass

38. Energy of SHM k = 19.6 N/m A = 0.100 m vmax = 0.808 m/s v = 0.70 m/s
amax = 6.53 m/s2

39. Simple pendulum
Consider this simple pendulum. Does it oscillate? Does F = - kx still apply?

40. Simple pendulum Derive expressions for: displacement along the arc
the restoring force F tangent to the arc

41. Simple pendulum

42. Simple pendulum
Period, simple pendulum T = 2π