KINEMATICS OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

(SHM)

Physics 12Resource: Giancoli Chapter 11

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.

Objectives Apply equations for the kinematics of

SHM. Solve problems both graphically and by

calculation, for acceleration, velocity and displacement during SHM.

Waves and oscillations To oscillate means to move back and

forth. Can you give examples of oscillation?

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.

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.

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 springk 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?

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.

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?

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

F = 0ΣF = Σ mg – kx0

0 = mg – kx0

Kinematics of SHM

A family of 200 kg steps into a 1200-kg car and the car lowers 3.0 cm.

(a) What is the spring constant k of the car’s springs?

(b) How much further would the car lower if the family was 300 kg?

Kinematics of SHM

(a) 6.5 x 104 Nm-1

(b) 4.5 cm

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?

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.

Definition of SHM

Are the following oscillators simple harmonic in nature?

(a) F = 0.5x2

(b) F = -2.3y(c) F = 8.6x(d) F = -40t

Definition of SHM

(a) no(b) yes(c) no(d) yes

Why isn’t (c) an SHO?

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

Periodic nature of SHM Consider the following characteristics:

maximum v maximum PE

v = 0 minimum PE

maximum a maximum KE

a = 0 minimum KE

Periodic nature of SHM Computer simulation

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

graph?

Periodic nature of SHM

Sinusoidal nature of SHM

Definition of termsTerm 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.

Sinusoidal nature of SHM

Wave motion

Sinusoidal nature of SHM

Construct the following graphs: displacement-timevelocity – timeacceleration – time

for a pendulum starting at maximum displacement and one starting at equilibrium position.

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.

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?

Sinusoidal nature of SHM

Period T of SHMT = 2π

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.

(a) Estimate the value of the spring stiffness constant k for the web

(b) At what frequency would you expect the web to vibrate if an insect of mass 0.10 g were trapped with the spider.

Sinusoidal nature of SHM

(a) k = 2.7 N/m(b) f = 13 Hz

Energy of SHM Is work done when a spring is stretched

or compressed? How is the energy stored?

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.

Energy of SHM

Total mechanical E = KE +PETotal mechanical E = ½ mv2 + ½ kx2

Derive expressions for total mechanical energy, E, at maximum displacement and

equilibrium position.

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

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

Energy of SHM

Suppose a spring oscillator is stretched to twice the amplitude (x = 2A). What happens to the:

(a) energy of the system(b) maximum velocity of the oscillator(c) maximum acceleration of the mass

Energy of SHM

(a) energy is quadrupled(b) maximum velocity is doubled(c) acceleration is doubled

Energy of SHMA spring stretches 0.150 m when a 0.300-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 0.100 m from the equilibrium point then released from rest. Determine the:

(a) spring stiffness constant k(b) amplitude of horizontal oscillation A(c) magnitude of maximum velocity vmax

(d) magnitude of velocity v when the mass is 0.050 m from equilibrium and

(e) magnitude of the maximum acceleration amax of the mass

Energy of SHM

(a) k = 19.6 N/m(b) A = 0.100 m(c) vmax = 0.808 m/s

(d) v = 0.70 m/s(e) amax = 6.53 m/s2

Simple pendulum

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

Simple pendulum

Derive expressions for:(a) displacement along the arc(b) the restoring force F tangent to the arc

Simple pendulum

Simple pendulum

Period, simple pendulum

T = 2π