Waves and Oscillations

Lecture No. 3
Topics: Combination of simple harmonic oscillations and Lissajous figures
Teacher’s name: Dr. Mehnaz Sharmin

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 The Superposition of Oscillatory Motions
• Many Physical situations involves the simultaneous application of
2 or more periodic oscillations to the same system.

• Examples: A photograph stylus, a microphone diaphragm, a

human eardrum, etc. are generally subjected to a complicated
combinations of many periodic oscillations.

• The basic assumption in assessment of such conditions is:

“The resultant of two or more harmonic vibrations will be taken to

be simply the sum of the individual vibrations.”

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 Principle of Superposition
Suppose we have two simple harmonic motions (SHM) described by the following equations:

𝑦1 = 𝑎1 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼1 ) (4.11)

𝑦2 = 𝑎2 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼2 ) (4.12)

Here, 𝑦1 and 𝑦2 are the displacements of the particles due to the individual vibrations of
amplitudes 𝑎1 and 𝑎2 , respectively and angles of epoch 𝛼1 and 𝛼2, respectively. Two vibrations
have the same angular frequency (𝜔).

The resultant displacement of the particle will be given by,

𝑦 = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2

= 𝑎1 sin 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼1 + 𝑎2 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼2 )

= 𝑎1 (sin 𝜔𝑡 cos 𝛼1 + cos 𝜔𝑡 sin 𝛼1)+𝑎2 (sin 𝜔𝑡 cos 𝛼2 + cos 𝜔𝑡 sin 𝛼2)

= (𝑎1 cos 𝛼1 + 𝑎2 cos 𝛼2 ) sin 𝜔𝑡 + (𝑎1 sin 𝛼1 +𝑎2 sin 𝛼2 ) cos 𝜔𝑡 (4.13)
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Since 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 (amplitudes) and 𝛼1and 𝛼2 (angle of epoch) are constants we can replace them with the following constant terms:
𝑎1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼1 + 𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼2 = 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜑

𝑎1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼1 + 𝑎2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼2 = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜑

The resultant displacement can be written as,

𝑦 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 + 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑) (4.14)

Thus, the equation (4.13) is similar to the equations (4.11) and (4.12). The resultant vibration is therefore representing a SHM
with the amplitude 𝐴 and epoch angle 𝜑.

Expression of 𝑨 and 𝝋:
𝐴2𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜑 + 𝐴2𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜑 = 𝑎12 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼1 + 𝑎22 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼2 + 2𝑎1𝑎2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼1𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼2 + 𝑎12 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼1 + 𝑎22 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼2 + 2𝑎1𝑎2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼1𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼2

Or, 𝐴2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜑 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜑 = 𝑎12 (𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛼1) + 𝑎22 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛼2 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛼2 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼1𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼2 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼1𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼2)

Or, 𝐴2 = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 cos 𝛼1 − 𝛼2

Or, 𝐴 = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 cos 𝛼1 − 𝛼2 (4.15)

𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 𝑎1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼1 +𝑎2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼2

tan 𝜑 = = (4.16)
𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 𝑎1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼1 +𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼2

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Some Special Cases:

i. Same Phase: If 𝛼1 = 𝛼2 = 𝛼, (𝛼1 − 𝛼2) = 0, 2π, 4𝜋, … … … = 2𝑛𝜋; 𝑛 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … … … … …

Then, cos 𝛼1 − 𝛼2 = 1 and 𝐴2 = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 )2 ; So, 𝐴 = (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 )

𝑎1 +𝑎2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜑 = = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼
𝑎1 +𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

In this case, 𝑦 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼) (4.17)

ii. Opposite Phase: If (𝛼1 − 𝛼2) = π, 3π, 5𝜋, … … … = (2𝑛 + 1)𝜋; 𝑛 = 0, 1, 2, 3, … … … … …

Then, cos 𝛼1 − 𝛼2 = −1 and 𝐴2 = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 − 2𝑎1 𝑎2 = (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 )2 ; So, 𝐴 = (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 )

iii. If 𝑎1 = 𝑎2 = 𝑎; The same phase condition gives, 𝐴 = 2𝑎; Resultant amplitude is the maximum.

The opposite phase condition gives 𝐴 = 0; Resultant amplitude is zero.

𝜋
iv. If 𝛼1 − 𝛼2 = π ; 𝐴 = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 cos = 𝑎12 + 𝑎22
2 2

In this case if 𝑎1 = 𝑎2 = 𝑎, 𝐴 = 2𝑎2 = 2𝑎

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 Lissajous Figures
• Jules Antoine Lissajous (4 March, 1822– 24 June, 1880) was a
French physicist, after whom Lissajous figures are named.

• When two SHM simultaneously act on a particle at right angle to

each other, the resultant motion of the particle traces a curve.
Any of an infinite variety of curves formed by combining two
mutually perpendicular simple harmonic motions are called
Lissajous figures.

• Commonly exhibited by the oscilloscope. Used in studying

frequency, amplitude and phase relations of harmonic
vibrations.

Lissajous figures on oscilloscope Set up of Lissajous’s experiment

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 Combination of two SHMs’ at right angles to each other
(frequency ratio 1:1, different phase and different amplitudes)
The equations of displacement of the SHMs’ at right angles to each other are as follows,
x= 𝑎 sin(ωt+φ) (5.1)
y=b sinωt (5.2)
Let us relate the two equations of displacements as follows,
𝑥
= sin(ωt+φ) = sinωt cosφ + cosωt sinφ
𝑎

𝑦 𝑦2
= 𝑏 cosφ + 1 − 𝑏2 sinφ [from equation (5.2)]

𝑥 𝑦 𝑦2
∴
𝑎
−
𝑏
cosφ = 1 − 𝑏2 sinφ; Now, let us take square on both sides of the equation,
𝑥 2 𝑦2 2φ − 2
𝑥 𝑦 𝑦2
+ cos cosφ = 1 − 2 sin2φ
𝑎 2 𝑏2 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑦2 𝑥𝑦
⇒
𝑎2
+
𝑏2
cos 2φ + 𝑏2 sin2φ − 2 𝑎𝑏
cosφ = sin2φ
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥𝑦
⇒
𝑎2
+
𝑏2
−2 𝑎𝑏
cosφ = sin2φ (5.3)

Equation (5.3) is the general equation of the resultant vibration of the two mentioned SHMs’.

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 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥𝑦
𝑎2
+ 𝑏2
−2 𝑎𝑏
cosφ = sin2φ (5.3)
Special Cases:

Case I.

If φ = 0, 2π, 4π, …………..= 2nπ; where, n=0, 1, 2, 3, ………; (No phase difference)
φ=0
Then cosφ = 1 and sinφ = 0. Now, from equation (5.3) we can write, slope =
𝑏
𝑎

𝑥2 𝑦2 2𝑥𝑦 Y
𝑎2
+
𝑏2
− 𝑎𝑏
= 0

𝑥 𝑦 2
⇒
𝑎
−
𝑏
=0
X
𝑥 𝑦
⇒±
𝑎
−
𝑏
=0

𝑏
Thus, 𝑦 = 𝑥 (5.4)
𝑎

𝑏
Equation (5.4) represents a straight line passing through origin having a slope .
𝑎

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Case II. Case III.
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥𝑦
𝜋 + −2 cosφ = sin2φ (5.3) 𝜋
If φ = rad. 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎𝑏 If φ = rad.
4 2

1 Then cosφ = 0 and sinφ = 1

Then cosφ = sinφ =
√2
Now, from equation (5.3) we can write,
Now, from equation (5.3) we can write, 𝑥2 𝑦2
+ =1 (5.6)
𝑥2 𝑦2 2𝑥𝑦 1 1 𝑎2 𝑏2
+ − ( )=
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎𝑏 √2 2 Equation (5.6) represents a symmetric ellipse whose center
𝑥2 𝑦2 √2𝑥𝑦 1 coincide with the origin, length of the semi-major and semi-
𝑎2
+
𝑏2
− 𝑎𝑏
=
2
(5.5)
minor axes are 2𝑎 and 2b, respectively.
Equation (5.5) represents an oblique ellipse whose length is If 𝑎 = 𝑏, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 =𝑎2 (5.7)
parallel to X-axis is 2𝑎 and breadth 2b.
Equation (5.7) represents a circle with radius 𝑎.
Y 𝜋
φ = rad.
Y Y
𝜋 𝜋
φ = rad. 2 φ = rad.
4 𝑎≠𝑏 2
𝑎=𝑏

X X X

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Case IV. 𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑥𝑦
Case V.
𝑎2
+
𝑏2
−2 𝑎𝑏
cosφ = sin2φ (5.3)
3𝜋 If φ = 𝜋 rad.
If φ = rad.
4
1 1 Then cosφ = -1 and sinφ = 0
Then cosφ = - and sinφ =
√2 √2
Now, from equation (5.3) we can write,
Now, from equation (5.3) we can write,
𝑥2 𝑦2 2𝑥𝑦
𝑥2 𝑦2
2𝑥𝑦 1 1 𝑎2
+
𝑏2
+
𝑎𝑏
= 0
+ − (- )=
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑎𝑏 √2 2
𝑥 𝑦 2 𝑥 𝑦
𝑥2 𝑦2
√2𝑥𝑦 1 ⇒
𝑎
+
𝑏
=0 ⇒±
𝑎
+
𝑏
=0
𝑎 2 + 𝑏2
+
𝑎𝑏
=
2
(5.8)
𝑏
Thus, 𝑦 = − 𝑥 (5.9)
Equation (5.8) represents an oblique ellipse. 𝑎

Y Equation (5.9) represents a straight line passing through origin

𝑏 Y
having a slope (- ).
3𝜋 𝑎
φ= rad.
4
φ = π rad.

X X

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 Combination of two SHMs’ at right angles to each other
(frequency ratio 2:1, different phase and different amplitudes)
The equations of displacement of the SHMs’ at right angles to each other having the frequency ratio 2:1 are as follows,
x= 𝑎 sin(2ωt+φ) (5.10)
y=b sinωt (5.11)
Let us relate the two equations of displacements as follows,
𝑥
= sin(2ωt+φ) = sin2ωt cosφ + cos2ωt sinφ = 2sinωt cosωt cosφ + (1- 2sin2ωt) sinφ
𝑎

𝑦 𝑦2 𝑦2
= 2.
𝑏
1−
𝑏2
cosφ + 1 − 2. 2
𝑏
sinφ [from equation (5.11)]

𝑥 𝑦2 2𝑦 𝑦2
− 1 − 2. 2 sinφ = cosφ 1 − 2
𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
Now, let us take square on both sides of the equation,
𝑥 2 4𝑦 4 𝑥 2𝑦2 4𝑦 2 𝑦2
2
− sinφ + 4 𝑠𝑖𝑛 φ + 2 − sinφ 2 sinφ = 2 1 − 2 cos2φ
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑥 2 4𝑦 4 4𝑦2 4𝑦2 𝑥
⇒
𝑎
− sinφ +
𝑏4
sin2φ+cos2φ −
𝑏2
sin2φ+cos2φ +
𝑏2 𝑎
sinφ =0
𝑥 2 4𝑦 2 𝑦2 𝑥
⇒ − sinφ + + 𝑠𝑖𝑛φ − 1 = 0 (5.12)
𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎
Equation (5.12) is the general equation of a curve having two loops, for any phase and amplitude. The actual shape of curve will
depend upon the phase difference φ.
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 𝑥 2 4𝑦2 𝑦 2 𝑥
− sinφ + + 𝑠𝑖𝑛φ − 1 = 0 (5.12)
𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎

Case I.
φ = 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋, etc. 2𝑦2 𝑥
⇒ =- −1
𝑏2 𝑎
sinφ = 0; Equation (5.12) becomes
𝑏2
𝑥2 4𝑦 2 𝑦 2
⇒ 𝑦2= - (𝑥- 𝑎) (5.14)
2𝑎
+ −1 =0 (5.13)
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑏2
Equation (5.14) represents the equation of parabola with the
Equation (5.13) represents two loops like the shape of eight. vertex at (a, 0).
Case II.
𝜋
φ=
2

sinφ = 1; Equation (5.12) becomes

𝑥 2 4𝑦 2 𝑦 2 𝑥
−1 + + −1 =0
𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎

𝑥 2 𝑥 2𝑦 2 4𝑦 4
⇒ − 1 + 2. −1 + =0
𝑎 𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏4
2
𝑥 2𝑦 2
⇒ −1 + =0
𝑎 𝑏2 𝜋
𝑥 2𝑦 2 φ=0 φ=2
⇒ −1 + 2 =0
𝑎 𝑏

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 𝑥 2 4𝑦2 𝑦 2 𝑥
− sinφ + + 𝑠𝑖𝑛φ − 1 = 0 (5.12)
𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎

Case III. Case IV.

3𝜋
φ= ; sinφ = -1; Equation (5.12) becomes 3𝜋
𝜋
φ = ; sinφ =
1
; Equation (5.12) becomes
2
φ= 4 2
2
𝑥 2 4𝑦2 𝑦2 𝑥
+1 + − −1 =0 𝑥 1 2 4𝑦 2 𝑦2 𝑥 1
𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎 − + + − 1 =0
𝑎 2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎 2
𝑥 2 𝑥 2𝑦2 4𝑦 4
⇒ + 1 - 2. +1 + 4 =0 𝑥 1 2 4𝑦2 𝑦2 𝑥
𝑎 𝑎 𝑏2 𝑏 ⇒ − + + −1 =0 (5.16)
𝑎 2 𝑏2 𝑏2 2𝑎
2 𝜋 3𝜋
⇒
𝑥
+1 −
2𝑦2
=0 φ= , Equation (5.16) represents the equation of two equal loops
4 4
𝑎 𝑏2
skewed towards each other on the right side of the Y-axis.
𝑥 2𝑦 2
⇒ +1 + =0 3𝜋 1
𝑎 𝑏2 Similarly, for φ = ; sinφ = ; results will be the same.
4 2
2𝑦2 𝑥
⇒ =- +1 But for φ =
5𝜋
; sinφ =-
1
; Equation (5.12) becomes
𝑏2 𝑎
5𝜋 4 2
𝑏2 φ=
⇒ 𝑦2= (𝑥+𝑎) (5.15) 4
𝑥 1 2 4𝑦2 𝑦2 𝑥
2𝑎 ⇒ + + − −1 =0 (5.17)
𝑎 2 𝑏2 𝑏2 2𝑎
Equation (5.15) represents the equation of
parabola with the vertex at (-a, 0). Equation (5.17) represents the equation of two equal loops
skewed towards each other on the left side of the Y-axis.

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References:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.matlab-monkey.com%2Fplots%2Fplot10%2Fplot10.html&psig=AOvVaw3Q7Y7hQXP1QG-
QJd7CrrXD&ust=1598803104436000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJD85OvjwOsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABBJ
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