OSCILLATIONS

PERIODIC MOTION
A motion that repeats itself after equal intervals of time is called periodic motion.
Example: (i) Motion of all planets around the sun
(ii) The motion of the bob of a simple pendulum
OSCILLATORY MOTION (VIBRATING MOTION)
The motion of a body is said to be oscillatory motion if it moves back and forth about a fixed point after regular intervals of
time. ( The fixed point about which the body oscillates is called mean position or equilibrium position)
Example: (i) The motion of a bob of the simple pendulum
(ii) The motion of the mass attached to a spring
(iii) A liquid contained in U-tube when disturbed executes oscillatory motion.
Every oscillatory motion is a periodic motion, but every periodic motion is not oscillatory.
OSCILLATION (OR) VIBRATION
Let O be the equilibrium position and E1 and E2 are the extreme position of the oscillatory motion.

The motion of the body from O to E2 and then to E1 and back to O is called one oscillation or vibration.
TIME PERIOD (T)
The time taken by a vibrating or oscillating body to complete one oscillation or vibration is called its time period.
FREQUENCY ( f OR ϑ )
The number of oscillations completed by an oscillating body in one second is called the frequency of the body.
Unit: cycle/second (or) hertz (Hz)
RELATION BETWEEN FREQUENCY AND TIME PERIOD
ϑ= 1/T (Frequency = 1 / time period)
HARMONIC OSCILLATIONS
Harmonic oscillation is that oscillation which can be expressed in terms of single harmonic function (i.e. sine function or
cosine function )

sine curve cos curve

A harmonic oscillation of constant amplitude and of single frequency is called simple harmonic oscillation (SHM).
Mathematically,
Y = rsinωt = r sin t
Y = rcosωt = rcos t
Y – displacement of a body from the mean position at any instant ‘t’
r - maximum displacement (or) amplitude of displacement of the body
ω- angular frequency , ω = 2πf = 2π/T
NON- HARMONOIC OSCILLATION
Non-harmonic oscillation is that oscillation which cannot be expressed in terms of single harmonic function. A non-
harmonic oscillation is a combination of two or more than two harmonic oscillation. Mathematically
Y = a sin ω t + b sin2ωt

RELATION BETWEEN SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION AND UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

As the particle moves from X to Y, the projection M moves from O to Y. When the particle moves from Y to X’ the
projection M moves from Y to O and so on. Thus , M is said to execute SHM along YY’. Therefore , the SHM is regarded
as the projection of uniform circular motion upon any diameter of the circle.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SHM
DISPLACEMENT
The distance of the body or a particle executing SHM from its mean position is called displacement.
OM = Y
Triangle OPM,
sinθ = OM/OP
OM = OPsinθ
θ = ωt , OM = Y, OP = r
Therefore , Y = r sinωt ---------- (1)
equation (1) gives the displacement of the particle and represents SHM.
AMPLITUDE
The maximum displacement of the particle from its mean position is called its amplitude.
We know , displacement Y = r sinωt
Y = Y max = r [ if sinωt = 1, ωt = 90 ]
[ r – amplitude ]
VELOCITY
The rate of change of the displacement is called the velocity.
Y = r sinωt
differentiate both sides with respect of ‘t’
= v = rcosωt ω
= rωcosωt
 = rω 𝑟 − 𝑦 / √𝑟
v = ω 𝑟 −𝑦

Special cases:
(a) When y = 0 , i.e. displacement is zero or body is at the mean position
v = rω (maximum velocity)
This value of velocity is called velocity amplitude of SHM.
(b) When y = r, i.e. displacement is maximum or the body is at the extreme position. v = 0 (minimum velocity)
Thus, velocity of a particle executing SHM is maximum at the mean position and minimum at the extreme position.
ACCELERATION
The rate of change of velocity is called acceleration .
acceleration = = [ ] = [ rω cosωt ]
2
= - rω sinωt
2
= - ω r sinωt
2
acceleration = = -ωy
acceleration α – y
Special cases
(a) If y = o , acceleration = 0
(b) If y = r , acceleration = maximum.
Thus acceleration of a particle executing SHM is zero at mean position and maximum at extreme position.
PHASE
The phase of an oscillating body at any instant is its state as regards to its position and direction of motion with respect to
mean position or that instant.
PHASE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISPLACEMENT, VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION

EXPRESSION FOR THE TIME PERIOD AND FREQUENCY OF A PARTICLE EXECUTING SHM
2
We know acceleration = =ω y

ω=

ω = 2π/T
 2π/T =

T = 2𝜋

Frequency 𝜈 = 1/T =

ENERGY OF A PARTICLE EXECUTING SHM

When a particle executes SHM , its energy is partly kinetic energy Ek and partly potential energy Ep
(i) KINETIC ENERGY
The displacement of a particle executing SHM can be represented by Y = r sinωt
Therefore particle velocity v = = rω cosωt
Kinetic energy of the particle of mass m
2
Ek = mv
2
= m (ω 𝑟 −𝑦 )
2 2 2
Ek = mω (r -y )
Kinetic energy is maximum and at the extreme position ( i.e. y = ±r) the kinetic energy is minimum (zero) and varies in
between these positions.

(ii) POTENTIAL ENERGY

We know that the acceleration of the particle executing SHM is given by
2
= -ω y
Hence the force acting on the particle of mass m executing SHM is given by
2
F=m = - mω y
and the workdone by the force is displace the particle through a very small displacement dy is
2
dw = |F|dy = mω y dy
Therefore , the total work done for the displacement y from the mean position will be,
2 2
W = ∫ m ω y dy = mω y
2 2
Since work done is also a measure of its potential energy , hence potential energy Ep = mω y
It shows that at the mean position (i.e. y = 0 ) the potential energy is minimum (zero) and at the extreme positions ( i.e. y =
± 𝑟 ) , the potential energy is maximum and varies in between these two positions.
TOTAL ENERGY
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
E = Ek+ Ep = mω (r -y ) + mω y = mω r
which is a constant. Hence the total energy in a SHM remains conserved
ω = 2𝜋𝝂
2 2
E = m(2𝜋ν ) r
2
E = 2π m𝝂2r2

OSCILLATIONS OF A MASS ATTACHED A HORIZONTAL SPRING – RESTORING FORCE AND FORCE CONSTANT
Fα–x
F = - kx
Thus, the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement of the body or the system and is directed opposite to
the displacement.
Therefore the motion of the mass attached to the spring is SHM.
k – spring constant (or) force constant.
The force constant is defined as the restoring force per unit displacement.
i.e. k= F/x , Unit = N/m
EXPRESSION FOR TIME PERIOD AND FREQUENCY IN TERMS OF INERTIA FACTOR AND SPRING CONSTANT
We know in spring restoring force F = – kx -------- (1)
If m be the mass of the particle and acceleration =

From Newton’s second law of motion F = Ma = M --(2)

From (1) and (2) we get
Ma = - kx
acceleration , a = x - -------(3)
since the particle is executing SHM

2
acceleration a = - ω x ------- (4)
From (3) and (4)
2
x =-ω x
ω = 𝑘/𝑚

we know ω =
π
= 𝑘/𝑚
T = 2π 𝑚/𝑘
[ f or 𝝂 = ]
f or 𝝂 = 𝑘/𝑚

Note:
If the harmonic oscillation are angular, then the force constant (k) is replaced by restoring couple (C) and the mass m by
moment of inertia (I) of the system
ω= 𝐶/𝐼

T = 2π 𝐼/𝐶

𝝂= 𝐶/𝐼

OSCILLATIONS OF MASS ATTACHED WITH A VERTICAL SPRING

L – length of the spring
l – increasing length due to mass m attached the spring.
According to Hooke’s law, the stretching tension is given by F = - kl ----
(1)
The upward force is balanced by the suspended weight mg
F = - Mg ----(2)
From (1) and (2) we get
Mg = kl ---- (3)
Now, suppose the mass is further pulled down through a distance x
below its mean position then the force exerted on m by the spring is
F’ = - k (l + x ) ------ (4)
Therefore total force acting on the mass m is given by
f = F’ – F = - K ( l + x ) – ( - kl ) = - kx
If acceleration =

acceleration = f/M = - ------ (5)

acceleration α - x ( k and m are constants)
Hence the motion of the mass M is SHM.
Time period of the oscillation of the mass M is given by

T = 2𝜋

T = 2𝜋 [ acceleration = ]

T = 2𝜋 [ M- inertia factor] [ k – spring constant ]

MOTION OF A BODY SUSPENDED BY TWO SPRINGS CONNECTED IN PARALLEL

Consider a body of mass M suspended by two springs
connected in parallel as shown in fig.
Let k1 and k2 be the spring constants of two spring
respectively.
Let the body be pulled down so that each spring is
stretched through a distance y.
Restoring force F1 and F2 will be developed in the springs
S1 and S2 respectively.
According to Hooke’s law F1 = - k1y
F 2 = - k 2y
since, both the forces are acting in the same direction.
Therefore total restoring force acting on the body is
f = F1 + F2
= - k 1y –k2y
f = - (k 1 + k2 )y
( )
acceleration produced in the body is a = F/M =

where, is constant.
Hence, motion of body is SHM.

T = 2π ( )

T = 2π ( )

T = 2π (k1 = k2 =k (say))

MOTION OF A BODY SUSPENDED BY TWO SPRINGS CONNECTED IN SERIES

Consider a body of mass M suspended by two springs connected in series as shown in fig.
Let k1 and k2 be the spring constants of two spring S1 and S2 respectively.
Suppose at any instant, the displacement of the body from equilibrium position y in the downward direction.
If y1 and y2 be the extension produced in the spring S1 and S2 respectively, then
y = y1 + y2 ---------(1)
Restoring force developed in the springs S1 and S2 are
F = - k1y1, y1 = -F/k1 ------(2)
F = - k2y2 , y2 = -F/k2 -------(3)
From equation (2) and (3) we get
y = -(F/k1 ) – (F/k2) = -F[1/k1 + 1/k2]
y = - F(k1+k2)/(k1k2)
acceleration = F/M

acceleration = -k1k2 y /(k1+k2)M k 1k2/(k1+k2)M- is a constant

acceleration α - y

T = 2π ( )/( )

( )
T = 2π ] k1 = k2 = k (say)

T = 2π

THE BODY OF WEIGHT mg IS CONNECTED IN BETWEEN THE TWO SPRINGS

F1 = - k 1 y
F 2= - k 2 y
F = F 1 + F2
= - k1 y– k2y
F = - (k1 + k2)y
( )
acceleration = - 𝑦

T = 2π ( )

T=2π

T = 2π k1 = k2 = k (say)

SIMPLE PENDULUM
F = -Mgsinθ sin θ ≈ θ
F = -Mgθ θ = x/l
F = -Mgx/l
F = -kx k = Mg/l , k – spring factor
M – inertia factor
T = 2π

T = 2π
( )

T=2π

UNDAMPED OSCILLATIONS
When a simple harmonic system
oscillates with a constant amplitude which
does not change with time, its oscillations
are called undamped oscillations.

DAMPED OSCILLATIONS
When a simple harmonic system oscillates with a decreasing
amplitude with time, its oscillations are called damped
oscillations.

FREE OSCILLATIONS
A system is said to execute free oscillations , if on being displaced or disturbed from its position of equilibrium, it
oscillates (natural frequency) itself without outside interference.
Example: Tuning fork when struck against a hammer and left to itself executes free oscillations.
FORCED OSCILLATIONS
When a system is compelled to oscillate with a frequency other than its natural frequency, it is said to execute forced
oscillations.
Example: When the stem of a vibrating tuning fork is pressed against the table, the table starts vibrating. The vibrations
produced in the table are forced vibrations.
RESONANT VIBRATIONS
A system or a body is said to execute resonance vibrations when it oscillates with frequency of the applied periodic
force.
RESONANCE
The phenomenon of producing oscillatory motion in system by the influence of an external periodic force having the same
frequency as that of the natural frequency of the system is called resonance.
For resonance ,
Frequency of the external periodic force = Natural frequency of the system
Example: Resonance causes disaster during earth quake.