CHAPTER 5

SIMPLE HARMONIC
MOTION
5.1 KINEMATICS OF SHM
Learning Outcomes:
• Define Simple Harmonic Motion
• Use equation: a=d2x/dt2=-2x and x=A sin t to represent S.H.M.
• Write the equations for displacement, velocity and acceleration in
terms of t.
What is SHM?
• Special kind of motion that is produced when the force is acting on a
body is proportional to the displacement and directed towards the
equilibrium position
• The back-and-forth motion of an object about a fixed point.
Examples:
• the motion of the car’s piston.
• swing bob of a pendulum.
• the mass-oscillation in a spring-mass system.
• the vibrations of atoms in a solid.
 INTRODUCTION
Horizontal Spring
Refer to figure (a),
Oscillation
• when the mass is pulled, the spring is extended.
a) • as the mass is displaced to the right, the restoring force
of the spring acting on the mass is directed to the left.
Equilibrium • when it is released, the mass will move back to the left.
b) line Refer to figure (b)
• when the mass is at the point x=0, the restoring force of
the spring, F=kx =0.
F • this point is called equilibrium point.
c)
• the mass continues its motion to the left after passing
through the
x equilibrium point because of its inertia.
 Refer to figure (c),
• the spring is compressed as the mass continues its
motion to the left.
(b) • The restoring force of the spring is now acting to the
Horizontal right
spring • the directions of the restoring force, F is always
oscillation directed toward the equilibrium point.
(c) x
The back-and-forth motion of the mass attached to the
spring is called simple harmonic motion.
• By Hooke’s Law, the restoring force, F on the spring varies with the
displacement x:
F = - kx ; k = spring constant
• The negative sign indicates that the force, F and the displacement, x
always have opposite directions.
• The mass, which is performing simple harmonic motion has an
acceleration,
• By follow the Newton’s 2nd Law which is 𝐹 = 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 , 𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥
𝑚𝑎 and Hooke’s Law 𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥 𝑚𝑎 = −𝑘𝑥
𝑘𝑥 −𝑘𝑥
• So, acceleration , 𝑎 = − 𝑎=
𝑚
• Since k/m is a constant, the acceleration, a is 𝑚
−𝑘
proportional to the displacement, x. 𝑎= 𝑥
𝑚
𝑎 ∝𝑥
➢Amplitude (A)
• Definition – is defined as the maximum magnitude of the displacement
from the equilibrium position.
➢Period (T)
• Definition – is defined as the time taken for one cycle.
• The S.I. unit is the second (s). 1
• Equation : 𝑇=
𝑓
➢Frequency (f)
• Definition – is defined as the number of cycles in one second.
• The S.I. unit is the hertz (Hz) :
 = 2  f where ω : angular frequency
1 Hz = 1 cycle s-1 = 1 s-1  (velocity)
f =
2
Displacement, x in SHM S x
• Uniform circular motion can be A
translated into linear SHM and N x1
obtained a sinusoidal curve for A M
displacement, x against angular 
displacement,  graph as shown  1
in figure below. O 0  1   3 2  (rad )
• From the figure above, the 2 2
expression for displacement, x1 is −A
given by 𝑥1 = 𝐴 sin 𝜃1 where
𝜃1 = 𝜃 + Φ and 𝜃 = 𝜔𝑡 thus T
x1 = A sin (t +  )
 In general the equation of displacement in SHM is given by
displacement
from equilibrium
x = A sin (t +  ) phase angle (constant)

position
time
amplitude
The S.I. unit of displacement is metre (m). angular
Phase frequency

It is the time-varying quantity (t+ ).

Its unit is radian.
Phase angle (constant), 
It is indicate the starting point in SHM where the time, t = 0 s.
If =0 , the equation of displacement becomes
x = A sin t
where the starting point of SHM is at the equilibrium position, O.
 • Hence the displacement, x against time, t graph is shown in figure below.
x
Period
A

Amplitude
T
0 T 3T T t
2 4
4

− A
• For examples:  
Equation : x = A sin  t + 
a. At t = 0 s, x = +A or  2
x = A sin (t +  ) x = A cos t
A = A sin (0 +  )
x
A
 Graph :
= rad
−A O A 2
0 T T t
2
−A
  3 
Equation : x = A sin  t + 
b. At t = 0 s, x = -A or  2 
 
x = A sin  t − 
 2
−A Graph : x
O A
x = A sin (t +  )
A

− A = A sin (0 +  ) 0
T
t
T
2T/2
3 
= @ - rad − A
2 2
c. At t = 0 s, x = 0, but v=vmax
vmax Graph : x
A

−A O A 0
T T/2
T t

Hence the equation is x = A sin (t   )

2
- A
Velocity, v in SHM
• By applying the equation of instantaneous velocity,

x = A sin (t +  )
dx and
v=
dt
v=
d
( A sin( t +  ) )
dt
v = A (sin( t +  ) )
d
dt

v = A cos(t +  ) Equation of velocity in

SHM

• Maximum velocity, vmax occurs when cos(t+)=1 hence

vmax = A
• The S.I. unit of velocity in SHM is m s-1.
• If =0 , the equation of velocity in SHM becomes
v = A cos t
• Hence the velocity, v against time, t graph is shown in figure below.

v
A

T
0 T 3T T t
2
4 4
− A

v = A cos t
Acceleration, a in SHM
• By applying the equation of instantaneous acceleration,
dv d 2 x
a= = 2 and v = A cos(t +  )
dt dt
a = ( A cos(t +  ) )
d
dt
a = A (cos(t +  ) )
d
dt
a = − A 2 sin( t +  ) Equation of acceleration
in SHM

Maximum acceleration, amax occurs when sin(t+)=1 hence

a max = − A 2
• The S.I. unit of acceleration in SHM is m s-2.
• If =0 , the equation of acceleration in SHM becomes
a = − A  2 sin  t
• Hence the acceleration, a against time, t graph is shown in figure below.

a
A 2

T
0 T 3T T t
2
4 4
− A 2

a = − A  2 sin  t
Example 1

The equation of motion for a particle oscillating in S.H.M. is

given as :
x= 5 sin 3t., 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=0.2s
(d) Sketch the graph of displacement against time.
Solution:

(a) The amplitude, A= 5 cm.

(b) The angular velocity, =3=2/T
The period, T=(2)/3=2.09s
(c ) x = 5 sin 3(0.2)= 5 sin 0.6x(180o/) = 5sin 34.38o = 2.82 cm.
 Example 2
The displacement of an oscillating object as a function of time is shown in figure below.
x (m )

0.3

0 0.4 t (s )

− 0.3

From the graph above, determine for these oscillations

a. the amplitude, the period and the frequency,
b. the angular frequency,
c. the equation of displacement as a function of time,
d. the equation of velocity and acceleration as a function of time.
Solution
a. From the graph,
Amplitude, A = 0 .3 m

Period, T = 0 .4 s
1
f = f = 2 .5 Hz
Frequency, T
2
 = 2f or  =
b. Angular frequency, T
 = 5 rad s −1
c. By applying the general equation of displacement in SHM
x = A sin (t +  )
At t = 0 s, x = 0 m
0 = A sin (0 +  )
and  =0
Therefore x = 0.3 sin (5t )

where x is in metres and t is in seconds.

d. Equation of velocity,

v=
dx
=
d
(0.3 sin 5t )
dt dt
v = 0.3(5 ) cos 5t
v = 1.5 cos 5t
where v is in m s -1 and t is in seconds.
Equation of acceleration,
d 2 x dv
a= 2
= =
d
(1.5 cos 5t )
dt dt dt
a = −1.5 (5 ) sin 5t a = − 7 .5 sin 5t
2

where a is in m s - 2 and t is in seconds.

Applications SHM (Simple Pendulum)
• The bob of pendulum oscillate in periodic motion.
• The force that cause the bob to swing back to the lowest point is
tangential component of the weight of the bob. Thus we may
write:

𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃 = −𝑚𝑎
𝑎 = −𝑔 sin 𝜃
𝜃

• -ve sign indicates that the direction of acceleration is opposite L

to the direction of displacement.
• If 𝜃 is small, then sin 𝜃 ≈ 𝜃 in radians, hence: T

𝑎 = −𝑔𝜃
𝑥
• If the length of the arc is 𝑥 then 𝜃 = , hence:
𝐿
mg
𝑔
𝑎 =− 𝑥 = −𝜔2 𝑥
𝐿
Applications SHM (Simple Pendulum)
• Therefore, the motion is a SHM with angular frequency:

𝑔
𝜔=
𝐿
𝜃
• Period: L
T
2𝜋 𝐿
𝑇= = 2π
𝜔 𝑔

mg
Applications SHM (Loaded Spring)
• Figure show a spring loaded with a load of mass, m in
equilibrium position.
• According to Hooke’s law,
𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥
• Hence,
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑥0 𝑥0
−𝑘𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔
𝑚𝑔 − 𝑘𝑥 = 0
𝑚 𝑥
=
𝑘 𝑔
• Where k is spring constant
 Applications SHM (Loaded Spring)
• If the load is pulled a further small distance, 𝑥0 and released, the
load will vibrate with amplitude.
• If a is acceleration of the load at position 𝑥 below the
equilibrium position then net force becomes:
𝑚𝑔 − 𝑘 𝑥 + 𝑥0 = 𝑚𝑎
• Acceleration:
𝑘
𝑎=− 𝑥
𝑚
𝑎 = −𝜔 2𝑥 𝑥0 𝑥0
• Angular frequency:
𝑘
𝜔=
𝑚
• Period:
2𝜋 𝑚 𝑥0
𝑇= = 2𝜋 = 2𝜋
𝜔 𝑘 𝑔
Conclusion
S.H.M.:
• The force, F is proportional to the displacement, x of
the object from its equilibrium point.
• The force must always act in a direction towards the
equilibrium point of the object.

Equation: a=d2x/dt2=-2x and x=A sin t or

X=A cost.
Displacement: x = A sin t
Velocity: v = A cost
Acceleration : a = -2A sin t.
ANY QUESTION?

THANK YOU!
5.2 ENERGY IN SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
Learning Outcomes
• Derive and use equation for kinetic energy and potential energy in
terms of displacement, x.
• Elaborate the variation of velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy and
potential energy with displacement, x and time, t.
Relationship between v and x
Velocity , v = A cos(t +  ) (1)
Displacement, x = A sin (t +  )
sin (t +  ) =
x (2)
A
From the trigonometry identical,
sin 2  + cos 2  = 1 and  = (t +  )
cos(t + ) =  1 − sin 2 (t + ) (3)
By substituting equation (3) and (2) into equation (1), we get
2
 x 
v =  A 1 −  
A
v =  A2 − x 2
2
 x2
2

v =  A −A 
 A2 
 
 v =  A2 − x 2

• The velocity, v against displacement, x graph is shown in figure

below.
v
A

−A 0 A x

− A

• When x = 0 (equilibrium position), the velocity is maximum,

vmax =± A
 The energy of a SHM
Total mechanical energy, E= K + U
where K = kinetic energy and U = potential energy
• The energy is conserved if there is no external force acted on it.
Kinetic energy , K= ½ mv2 and v =  A2 − x 2
K = ½ m[2(A2 – x2 )]
• The value of K is maximum when x = 0, i.e. when -A x=0 +A
the bob of the pendulum is at the equilibrium
point.
• Kinetic energy at the equilibrium point is:
K = ½ m2A2
 Potential Energy
• The potential energy of a mass suspended from a spring is
equal to the amount of potential energy stored by the spring
which is extended by x. • U is maximum,
U= ½ kx2 when x= ± A (Amplitude).
•U is minimum(zero)
where k is the spring constant.
when x= 0 (equilibrium point).
• From F = ma = -kx and for SHM, a= -  x 2

2 = k/m  k=m2
• Then, U=½ m2 x2.
• When the mass suspended is at its equilibrium point, x = 0, no energy is stored in the
spring,
the total energy of the system, E = kinetic energy, i.e.
E = ½ m2A2
• The total energy E at any displacement = K +U .
½ m2A2 = ½ m[2(A2 – x2 )] + U
U =½ m2x2
Energy-displacement, x graph
Energy
1
E = m 2 A2 = constant
2
1
U = m x 2 2
U =½ m 2x2 2
K=½ m[ 2(A2 – x2 )]
1
(
K = m 2 A2 − x 2
2
)
x
x
K and U as a function of time:
If x= A sin  t,
Kinetic energy, K = ½ m[2(A2 – A2sin 2t )]
= ½ m2A2(1 – sin 2t )
= ½ m2A2 cos 2t )
The potential energy, U = ½ m2x2
= ½ m2 sin 2t
Energy

1
E = m 2 A2
2
m 2 A2 sin 2 (t )
1
U =
2

m 2 A2 cos 2 (t )
1
K =
2
t
Example
The displacement of an oscillating object of mass 0. 3 kg as a
function of time is shown by the graph below.
x (m )

0.2

0 2 6
4 t (s )

− 0.2

If the energy of the oscillating object consists the kinetic and

potential energy, calculate the sum of this two energy?
Solution: m = 0.3 kg, A = 0.2 m, T = 4 s
By applying the formula of the total energy in SHM,
1 2
E = K +U = m 2 A2 and =
2 T
1  2 
2

E= m  A
2

2  T 

E = 0.02 J
Exercise
A steel strip, clamped at one end, vibrates with a frequency of
20 Hz. On the free end, a small object of mass 2g is attached.
If the amplitude of the oscillation is 5mm, calculate
a) the velocity of the object when it passes through the zero
position,
b) the acceleration of the object at its maximum
displacement,
c) the maximum kinetic and potential energy of the object.
 Solution
( a ) the velocity , V =  A2 − y 2 , When the end of the strip passes
through the zero position, y=0; and the maximum speed : vm= A,
But  = 2f = 2 x20 , and A=0.005 m,
vm= 2  (20)(0.005) = 0.628 ms-1
( b ) The acceleration = -2y = -2 A .
At maximum displacement, acceleration, a = (2 x20)2 x 0.00 =
78.96 ms-2.
( c ) m=2g=2x10-3kg, vm= 0.628 ms-1.
Maximum K = ½ mvm2 = ½ x(2x10-3 ) x 0.6282 = 3.94 x10-4 J
Maximum U = maximum K = 3.94 x10 -4 J
Conclusion
For SHM:
• Velocity :
• Acceleration: a=-2 x
• Kinetic energy: K = ½ m[2(A2 – x2 )]
• Potential Energy: U =½ m2x2
• Total energy: E = ½ m2A2
ANY QUESTION?

THANK YOU!
5.3 Damped and Forced Oscillations
& Resonance
Objectives
1. Types of damped oscillations
2. Elaborate graphically variation of amplitude and
energy for damped oscillation
3. Elaborate graphically the variation of amplitude of
forced oscillation with frequency,
4. Understand the occurrence of the resonance
phenomenon.
Damped Oscillation
• External forces disturb the oscillation.
• Part of the energy of the system is lost to overcome these
force.
• The amplitude does not remain constant but becomes
progressively smaller.
• It is not a prefect SHM .
• A mass suspended from a spring, is oscillating in
water.
• There is always resistance due to the water that
opposes the motion of the mass.
• The energy of the system is gradually lost as work
has to be done to overcome the resistance.
• The amplitude of the oscillation will decrease
gradually and finally become zero.
• It is a damped oscillation
Figure shows how the oscillation is damped.
• The amplitude is progressive become smaller with
time, t.
• From the equation, E=½ m2xo2 , the energy of the
system is also progressively decreasing and becomes
zero finally.
Three types of damped oscillations
• under damped
• critically damped
• over damped
Under damped oscillation
• the amplitudes of the oscillation are reducing with
time until it becomes zero.
Critically damped oscillation:
• Resistant prevents the system to vibrate .
• The time for its motion is very short.
• Example: shock absorber system of a vehicle. The passenger
is not affected much when the vehicle is moving along a
bumpy road.
Over damped motion:
• The damping is very strong and no vibration.
• Takes a long time to come back to its equilibrium position.
• Example: The mass suspended from the spring submerged in
a very viscous liquid, such as lubrication oil. It will move
upward very slowly and then stops.
◼ All these motion are shown in figure below:
• For under damped oscillation, the amplitudes
decrease exponentially to zero.
• For critical damped oscillation, it moves up and back
to the equilibrium position and then stops.
• Over damped oscillation, amplitude take long time to
become zero.
Forced Oscillation
• To keep a system, which is damped, in continuous oscillatory
motion an external periodic forces must be used.
• Such an oscillation is called forced oscillation.
• The frequency of the applied force is called the forcing
frequency.
• It is not the natural frequency of the system.
• The frequency of the applied force is called the forcing
frequency.
• It is not the natural frequency of the system.
• 3 pendulums X, Y, Z and a drive pendulum
are suspended from a string.
• The lengths of the pendulum X, Y and Z
are different, but the length of the drive
pendulum is same as that of Y.
• When the drive pendulum is oscillating, X, Y and Z oscillate
with certain amplitudes.
• Only pendulum Y is oscillating with the same amplitude as
the drive pendulum.
• A forced oscillation system will oscillate
with greater amplitude.
Amplitude
• If the forcing frequency is same as that of
the natural frequency, resonance will take
place
Resonance
• When the frequency of the drive pendulum is increased, the
amplitude of the forced pendulum also increased.
• Amplitude of the forced pendulum is maximum, when the
frequency of the drive pendulum is the same as the natural
frequency of the forced pendulum.
Examples of Resonance
• When a lorry passes by at a certain speed, the road
seems to vibrate because of resonance.
• The frequency of the lorry equals the natural
frequency of the road.
Examples of Resonance
• An old bus seems to vibrate at a certain speed when its
natural frequency equals that of the engine.
• If the frequency of the engine is changed by moving
faster or slowly, the vibration will stop.
• Another way to stop the vibration is to change the
natural frequency of the bus by reducing the number of
passengers.
 Examples of Resonance
• A house built nearby the airport will vibrate when an
airplane flying over it.
• The frequency of the noise from the engine of the
airplane equals the natural frequency of the house.
 Examples of Resonance
• The wind blowing over the sea has a certain frequency. If
this frequency is same as the natural frequency of the
bridge, the bridge will vibrate because of resonance.
Conclusion
• Free oscillation: No external force
• Damped oscillation: External force to oppose oscillation.
• Types of damped oscillation: under, critical and over
damped.
• Forced oscillation: With external force applied to maintain an
oscillation.
• Amplitude of forced oscillation is maximum when forced
frequency= natural frequency.
• Resonance occurs when the amplitude of the forced
oscillation is maximum or forced frequency= natural
frequency.
ANY QUESTION?

THANK YOU!