An Introduction to Simple Harmonic Motion

1) Some basic Maths

We will learn it from a completely different approach.

1st we shall see some preliminary concepts of coordinate geometry revised, and analyzed in a new way.

 Point (2,3) on a graph.

Most students would do the following.

But, what if a boy does this one…

If I were the teacher, I would appreciate him…

Now, if I pinpoint the same location, on a 1 unit = 1 ssb graph, it is very obvious, that the point would be (6,6).
Thus, if we draw the point (2,3) on a graph with:
X-axis : 1 unit = kx ssb
Y-axis : 1 unit = ky ssb
Then, if the same location is pinpointed on a 1 unit = 1 ssb graph, the coordinates of the point would be (2k x,3ky)

Thus, for a point (x,y), it becomes (x•kx,y•ky).

We name the whole process as “stretching”.
Let’s see why…
 Draw the st line 3x-2y+4=0 on a graph.
 X 0 2 4
Y 2 5 8

By considering other unit, we get…

It is very clearly visible that if the same figure is traced on a graph with 1 unit = 1 ssb, then the points would be :
 X 0 6 12
Y 4 10 16

And the equation of the st line would be :

x−0 6−0
=
y−4 10−4

or, 6 x=6 y −24

or, 6 x−6 y +24=0

or, x− y + 4=0

We may say, we stretched the x axis 3 times and y axis 2 times, since the unit of x axis was made 3 ssb from 1 ssb, and thus,
“zoomed” or rather “stretched” 3 times.

Similarly, the y axis was stretched 2 times.

Let us now generalize stretching for st lines.

Let initial equation of the straight line was ax +by +c=0.

−ax −c
We get, by a little rearrangement, the equation can be written as : y=
b

−an−c
Thus, for any point on the st line, if abscissa is n, then ordinate will be .
b

−an−c
(
Thus, for any n, n ,
b )
is a point on the st line.

If you have any doubts, u can put the value of x and y in the equation, and check if the point lies on the st line or not, ie, if the
values satisfy the equation or not.

Now, after stretching, let the units become :

X-axis : 1 unit = kx ssb [X-axis is stretched kx times]

Y-axis : 1 unit = ky ssb [Y-axis is stretched ky times]

Then, the point (x,y) becomes : (x•kx,y•ky)

(
Thus, the point n ,
−an−c
b ) [
becomes ( n ×k x ) ,
b{(
−an−c
×ky ) }]
Thus, for the new st line, x=( n× k x ) and y= ({ −an−c
b )
×k } y
By eliminating n, we get,

∴ ( ka ) x +( kb ) y+ c=0
x y

This can also be rewritten as

x y
a ( ) ( )
kx
+b
ky
+c =0  (1)

x y
Following (1), one may say, “just put in place of x and put in place of y.”
kx ky

And this may be represented as

If equation of st line is y=f (x ), then, the equation of new st line with k x stretch of x axis
and ky stretch of y axis, is:

( ky )=f ( kx )
y x
 (2)

And hurrah… We have discovered the general equation, of stretching, since this is followed not only by st lines, but also by all
other curves . Most of our hard work is completed.

Next, we will see the graphs of sine graph.

Next see an animation, double click to begin.

Thus, we can represent any wave by using stretching and translation of the sine curve.

The equation of sine curve is :

y=sin x

y x x
So, after kx x-stretching and ky y-stretching it becomes :
ky ( )
=sin ⁡
kx
[Substituting
kx
in place of x and

y
in place of y respectively, from (1)]
ky

And, now we use translation over the new equation.

Mathematicians do not use Y-translation, since, as we shall later see, we consider the x axis through the middle of the wave.

So, we just put (x+h) instead of x and keep y as it is.

Thus, after translation and stretching, the equation becomes:

y x +h
ky
=sin ⁡ ( )
kx

y x h
or,
ky (
=sin ⁡ +
kx kx )
or, y=k y × sin ⁡ ( kx + kh )
x x
 (3)

This graph will look like a sine graph and will be called as sinusoidal graph.

kx,kt and h must be calculated from sine curve only.

We will now read the following excerpt from a book.

 2) Book

Simple Harmonic Motion

Figure 15-1 shows a particle that is simple harmonically oscillating about the origin of an x
axis, repeatedly going left and right by identical amounts. Let’s take some freeze-frames of
Figure 15-1 A particle repeatedly oscillates the motion and then arrange them one after another down the page (Fig. 15-2a). Our first
left and right along an x axis, between freeze-frame is at t = 0 when the particle is at its rightmost position on the x axis. The
extreme points xm and —xm. frequency f of the oscillation is the number of times per second that it completes a full
oscillation (a cycle) and has the unit of hertz (abbreviated Hz), where 1 hertz = 1 Hz = 1
oscillation per second = 1 s-1.

1
The time for one full cycle is the period T of the oscillation, which isT =
f
 A

A particle oscillates left The speed is

and right in simple zero at the The speed is greatest
harmonic motion. extreme points. at the midpoint.
–xm 0 –xm 0 +xm
t=0 t=0 v
+xm

t = T/4 t = T/4 v

t = T/2 t = T/2
v

t = 3T/4 t = 3T/4
t= t=T
T v
–xm 0 +xm –xm 0 +xm
(a) (b)

Rotating the figure

reveals that the motion
forms a cosine function.

xm This is a graph of the motion, with the period T indicated.

x
Displacement

xm

0 Time (t)
T
–xm

0
(d)
The speed is zero at extreme points.
x
Displacement

xm

0 Time (t)

–xm –xm The speed is greatest at x = 0.

0 T/2 T (e)
(c)
Figure 15-2 (a) A sequence of “freeze-frames” (taken at equal time intervals) showing the position of a par-
ticle as it oscillates back and forth about the origin of an x axis, between the limits +xm and —xm. (b) The
vector arrows are scaled to indicate the speed of the particle.The speed is maximum when the particle is at
the origin and zero when it is at ±xm. If the time t is chosen to be zero when the particle is at +xm, then the
particle returns to +xm at t = T, where T is the period of the motion.The motion is then repeated. (c)
Rotating the figure reveals the motion forms a sinusoidal function of time, as shown in (d). (e) The speed (the
slope) changes.
Mentally rotate Fig. 15-2a counterclockwise by 90°, so that the freeze-frames then progress rightward with time. We set time t = 0 when the particle is at x m.
The particle is back at xm at time t = T (the period of the oscillation), when it starts the next cycle of oscillation. If we filled in lots of the intermediate freeze-
frames and drew a line through the particle positions, we would have the sinusoidal curve shown in Fig. 15-2d.We have actually, in Fig. 15-2c, plotted the
displacement (from mean position) of the body in Y-axis and time in X-axis, and thus, drew the Displacement-Time graph for the body. What we already
noted about the speed is displayed in Fig. 15-2e. What we have in the whole of Fig. 15-2 is a transformation of what we can see (the reality of an oscillating
particle) into the abstraction of a graph.

3) Derivation of the Wave Equation

Thus, we can plot the displacement-time graph of a body in SHM into a sinusoidal graph.

Also, just by that graph, we can describe all needed properties of the body for SHM.

x h
y=k y × sin ⁡ ( +
kx k x )
 (3)

Thus, the Displacement-Time graph of a body in SHM is given by :

y=k y × sin ⁡ ( kt + kh )
t t
(4) [By substituting t in place of x, since time is plotted on x axis, and displacement on y axis]

Now, we shall define some arguments.

A=k y (a)

1
ω= (b)
kt

h
φ=  (c)
kt

P.S. : The values of kt and ky are to be calculated only with respect to sine wave. Else, the 3 equations above will not hold.

So, the equation (4) becomes :

y= A sin ( ωt + φ ) (E)

Yeah, we have derived the equation of simple harmonic motion.

4) Defining the new arguments

Now, we shall explore what A, ω and φ are.

 Find the Maximum and Minimum values of y.

Maximum value of y= A
Minimum value of y= -A
Since, maximum value of sin(θ) is 1 and minimum value is -1.
By considering displacement upward of x axis as positive, thus, the maximum and minimum displacement of a body,
is thus, A and –A respectively.
These are called the Amplitudes.
Thus, A is Amplitude.

 What does ω stand for?

Consider these 2 graphs.
 1st graph :

This is sin curve. For calculation of kt and ky, this is the only initial graph.
In the graph, the abscissa of A gives the Time Period.
Here, T = 2π
Amplitude=1

2nd graph :

Here too, abscissa of A gives the time period.

Here, T=1

Amplitude=1

Hey, wait a minute… Did we not just stretch?

Yaaaa…

1st, arrange the problem.

A sin curve is stretched in such a way, a point A(2π,0) becomes A(1,0). Find k t and ky.

We know, for point stretching, xfinal=xinitial×kx

Thus, 1=2π×kt

1
∴ k t=
2π

What would kt be if the T(Time Period) in the 2 nd graph was T instead of 1??

We know, since abscissa of A = T, thus final coordinates of A after stretching = (T,0)

∴ T=2π×kt

T
∴ k t= (d)
2π

1
Again, ω= [From(b)]
kt

1 2π
ω= =
Thus, T T
2π
Double click the gif image above to play the gif.

The gif above shows the relation among

i) The Simple Harmonic Motion of the particle P

ii) The Rotational Motion of the particle B
iii) The Wave Motion

Notice a few points :

i) All the 3 motions are periodic motions

ii) All the three periodic motions have the same Time Period and same Frequency.

iii) The amplitudes of wave and simple harmonic motion are equal, and both are equal to

the radius of the circular motion.

2π
iv) represents the angular velocity of the particle B.
T
 2π
Now, we can easily say, ¿ =angular velocity . It is also denoted as angular frequency.
T

 What about φ ?

h
We have seen, φ= [from (c)], φ is the only one among A, ω and φ that depends on h and translation.
kt

Sine curve :

T=(2π-0)=2π

New graph after translation:

Due to translation, the point A(2π,0) becomes A’ ( 32π , 0 ).
T= ( 52π − π2 )=2 π
∵ x=x ’ +h

3π
∴ 2 π= +h
2

π
∴ h=
2

h T
φ= [from (c)] and k t= [from (d)].
kt 2π

h 2 πh
φ= =
Thus, T T (I)
2π

In this problem, T=2π in both the graphs.

∴
φ=
2 πh
=
2π × ( π2 ) = π
T 2π 2

h 1
Again, φ= [from (c)] and ω= [from (b)]
kt kt
 h 1
∴ φ=
kt
=h × ()
kt
=hω (II)

2 πh
From (I) and (II), we get, φ= =hω . Remember this as a shortcut formula to calculate φ.
T

Now, we will understand φ more deeply.

y= A sin ( ωt + φ ) [from (E)] is the equation of a wave.

We will find the coordinates of the point where this wave intersects the y axis.

Equation of the Y-axis is t=0.

We have to solve y= A sin ( ωt + φ ) and t=0.

∴ y= A sin ( ω × 0+φ ) =A sin ( φ )

Thus, coordinates of the point is ( 0 , A sin ( φ ) ) .

Let us denote the value of y at x=0 in the wave as y 0.

Thus, at time=0, displacement of the body = y 0.

Thus, initial displacement of the body = y 0.

Again, at x=0, value of y= A sin ( φ ) .

∴ y 0= A sin ( φ )

y0
∴ sin ( φ )= (P)
A

Double click to see the following GIF.

Now, select any freeze frame from the animation.

Suppose, we select this one.

We shall mark a few things, to make the concept easier :

 i) ´ =OD=
Amplitude ¿ A= AM ´ OB
´ [from(iii)iii)iii)iii)iii)iii)iii)]
ii) ´ =y0
PM
iii) ´ =BG
PM ´

In ΔBOG

´
BG ´
PM y0
sin ( ∠BOC ) =sin ( ∠BOG )= = =
OB
´ A A

y0
∴ sin (∠ BOC )= (Q)
A

By comparing P and Q, we get,

sin ( φ )=sin ( ∠ BOC )

φ=∠BOC [We have made some oversimplification here, which is cleared in this part. Obviously, at least this is

clear, ∠ BOC is a possible and permitted value of φ]

5) Similar Translations

y= A sin ( ωt + φ ) is a given wave. What amount of translation is needed to make the equation

y= A sin [ ωt+ {nπ +(−1)n } φ ] ?

Let us find y0 for each of them.

For initial equation,

y 0= A sin ( φ )

For final equation,

y 0= A sin [ {nπ + (−1 )n } φ ]= A sin(φ) <∵sin θ=sin[nπ+(-1)n θ]>

Since, both y0 are same, and there have been no other changes but translation to derive the final equation from initial

equation, so, the two equations actually represent the same wave, and thus, no translation is needed.

So, in two equations y= A sin ( ωt+ φ1 )and ¿ A sin ( ωt +φ 2) , if φ 1={nπ + (−1 )n } φ2 , then the 2 equations

represent the same wave.

Thus, in sin ( φ )=sin ( ∠BOC ) , though the general value of φ is φ={nπ + (−1 )n ∠ BOC } , all the values of φ represent

the same wave.

 Thus, a single value of φ, i.e., ∠BOC, suffices for all the values of φ, since all of them represent the same wave.

Earlier, we proved that ∠BOC is a permitted and possible value of φ. Now, we have proved that ∠BOC is a sufficient

value of φ.

Thus, φ is the angle traversed by a body in circular motion corresponding to the simple harmonic motion, at its centre

initially (when T=0)

φ is called phase angle or phase constant.

y 0 2 πh
Thus, φ=sin
−1
( ) A
=
T
=hω

6) Cosine functions

Suppose, the equation of some wave be y= A sin ( ωt + φ )

y= A sin ( ωt + φ )= A cos { π2 − ( ωt+ φ) }= A cos {( ωt +φ) − π2 }=A cos {ωt+(φ− π2 )}=A cos ( ωt +φ ' )
,

' π
where φ =φ− .
2

Thus, any one of cosine and sine functions maybe used to represent a wave, and for the same wave, the cosine and sine

π
representations will only differ in the phase angle, by .
2

π
φ cosine =φ sine −
2

7) Let’s sum up all we have learnt in a nutshell.

x ( t )= A sin ( ω t+φ sine )= A cos (ω t +φcosine )

Displacement
after t time
Amplitude

Time
Phase constant

Angular frequency