Simple Harmonic Motion

Definition: Simple Harmonic Motion -oscillation or vibration between 2 extreme positions for an indefinite period of time -back-and-forth motion -i.e. mass on spring, pendulum, vibrations of a stringed musical instrument -examine a mass on a spring, moving on a frictionless horizontal surface: Elastic Forces: Definition: Elasticity -property of a body by which it experiences a change in shape when a deforming force acts on it & returns it to original shape when force is removed -i.e. spring, rubber band -force on the object is proportional to displacement of object from equilibrium (resting) position

-if spring is stretched or compressed a small distance, x , from its un-stretched (equilibrium or resting) position, then released...it exerts a force on the mass--->spring force (Fs)

Hooke's Law:

Fs = kx
"k" is a positive constant called spring constant, a measure of spring stiffness -stiff springs have large "k" -soft springs have small "k" -the graph of Fs and x would be linear -the direction of restoring force is such that the mass is being either pulled or pushed toward the equilibrium position -any motion that obeys Hooke's Law and is repetitive is simple harmonic motion -if elastic material is stretched or compressed more than a certain amount, it will not return to its original state ---> remains distorted -distance at which permanent distortion occurs is called elastic limit --> Hooke's Law holds as long as force does not stretch or compress the material beyond elastic limit
Spring Force (Fs, N)

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100
Displacement (x, cm)
The spring constant for this Fs-x graph is 100 N/cm!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Potential Energy of a Spring

-if you pull on a spring and stretch it, then you do work -a force is applied over a displacement -since work is the transfer of energy -work done on the spring becomes stored (potential) energy in the spring -as discussed earlier, a spring can be stretched or compressed -same mathematics holds for stretching as for compressing springs Work Done Stretching a Spring: Recall the graph of Fs and x used previously
Spring Force (Fs, N) Spring Force (Fs, N)

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Displacement (x, cm)

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100
Displacement (x, cm)

-the area under the graph would be work or Fs x (expressed in Joules) -the shaded area is a triangle with area = base x height

Area under the curve

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

-in terms of spring force and displacement Area = -since Fs = kx , then substituting Area = 1 Fs x 2

1 Fs x 2 1 Area = kx x 2 1 Area = kx 2 2 1 E p = kx 2 2

Total mechanical energy of the system (provided no friction): E = EK + EP E = mv2 + kx2 -at x = A = -A {where A is the amplitude}, all energy is EP v = 0 m/s and EK = 0 J -at extreme points, E = kA2 E is directly proportional to square of A -at equilibrium point (x = 0 m) all energy is kinetic E = mvo {vo is max. velocity} -therefore, mv2 + kx2 = kA2 -solving for v: v = k/m (A2 x2) AND at equilibrium point where x = 0 m vo2 = (k/m)A2 furthermore AND v = (vo /A ) A (1 x /A ) = vo (1 x /A ) v = vo 1 x2 A2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

A = vo

m k

Acceleration is not constant!

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Does period depend on amplitude? -imagine a mass moves in a circular path on a table top -viewed from the side, it looks as if the mass moves back and forth between A and A

vo -A v A

A2 x 2

Top View
-because of similar triangles v = vo A2 x 2 A x2

Side View

A2 -thus, projection on x-axis of an object revolving in a circle has the same motion as mass at end of spring SHM! -because of circular motion vo = T = 2A T m k

V = vo 1

A 2A A = 2 v Since v = vo o o

m k T is directly proportional to the square root of mass T is indirectly proportional to the square root of spring constant k T DOES NOT DEPEND on amplitude! T = 2

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The Simple Pendulum

-consists of small object (pendulum bob) suspended from lightweight cord -cord doesnt stretch and mass of cord is negligible -drawn back at an angle , the pendulum swings or oscillates along the arc of a circle -as it passes through its equilibrium point (lowest point) maximum speed Is the motion really SHM? -displacement along arc is x = L , where L is length of cord -restoring force that brings pendulum back to equilibrium point is F = - mgsin {negative sign means force is in direction opposite angular displacement } -F is proportional to sin , not itself motion is NOT SHM! -if is small (<15o) sin is approx. soF = -mg = -(mg/L) x thus for small displacements, motion is essentially SHM and obeys Hookes Law F = -kx where k = mg/L Therefore: m T = 2 k L g T is directly proportional to square root of length of cord T DOES NOT DEPEND on mass of bob! T = 2

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