Given a potential energy graph, oscillations will occur between turning points

determined by
( )
t
x U E =
E
t
x
Even the most asymmetric well can be approximated by a parabola if the system
stays close to the bottom.
2
2
1
kx U =
Simple Harmonic Motion
k and x need not refer to
spring parameters, but the
spring-mass system is an
important example
kx
dx
dU
F = =
2
2
dt
x d
m ma kx = =
0
2
2
= + x
m
k
dt
x d
Standard form of harmonic oscillator equation
Solution:
( ) ( ) | e + = t A t x cos
m
k
=
2
e
| and A
determined by initial conditions
Exercise: A spring-mass with k = 25 N/m and m = 5 kg is pulled out 2 m and released.
Find its position at any later time.
amplitude phase angle

phase
angular frequency
( ) 2 cos 0 = = | A x
( ) 0 sin 0 = = | eA v
( ) ( ) | e e + = t A t v sin
2
0
=
=
A
|
( ) ( ) t t x 5 cos 2 =
The motion will have completed one full cycle when the phase has
increased by 2. This time interval is called the period of the oscillation.
( ) t | e | e 2 + + = + + t T t
e
t 2
= T
Energy Considerations
How can the total energy be constant when both K and U depend on time?
2 2
2
1
2
1
kx mv E + =
( ) ( )
2 2
cos
2
1
sin
2
1
t A k t A m E e e e + =
( ) t t kA E e e
2 2 2
cos sin
2
1
+ =
2
2
1
kA E =
Vertical Springs
When a spring mass-system
vibrates vertically, an extra
force, gravity is involved.
How does this affect the
motion?
k
m
x
m
kx
kx mg netF =
g x
m
k
dt
x d
= +
2
2
?
Rewrite: 0
2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
k
mg
x
m
k
dt
x d
Define new displacement:
k
mg
x x =
'
Note that:
2
2
2
2
dt
x d
dt
x d
=
'
Then we have:
0
2
2
=
'
+
'
x
m
k
dt
x d
Gravity does not change the period.
All effects of gravity can be ignored if we choose to measure X from the new
equilibrium point.
mg
Example: A 1 kg mass hangs vertically from a spring with k = 20 N/m. A .1 kg dart
moving at 20 m/s is fired into the mass and sticks into it. Find the period and
amplitude of the resulting harmonic motion.
kg 1
f
P P =
0
( ) V 1 . 1 20 1 . =
s
m
V 82 . 1 =
The new equilibrium point is
( )
m x
f
55 .
20
10 1 . 1
0
= =
The period just depends on k and the mass oscillating:
s
k
m
T 47 . 1
20
1 . 1
2 2 = = = t t
Use energy conservation with x referred to new equilibrium point:
f
E E =
0
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )
2 2 2
20
2
1
05 . 20
2
1
82 . 1 1 . 1
2
1
A = +
m A 43 . =
The old equilibrium point is
( )
m x
i
50 .
20
10 1
0
= =
Other Oscillators
Torsion Pendulum
As wire twists, a restoring
torque is exerted.
u t k =
I
Fixed axis rotation
o t I =
2
2
dt
d
I k
u
u =
0
2
2
= + u
u
I
k
dt
d
k
I
T t 2 =
( ) ( ) | e u u + = t t
m
cos
Simple Pendulum
u
T
mg
L
( ) o u t I L mg = = sin
2
mL I =
0 sin
2
2
= + u
u
L
g
dt
d
?
Small angle approximation:
u u ~ sin
0
2
2
= + u
u
L
g
dt
d
g
L
T t 2 =
Compound Pendulum
-
H
u

CM
( ) o u t I H mg = = sin
0 sin
2
2
= + u
u
I
mgH
dt
d
Small angle approximation:
u u ~ sin
0
2
2
= + u
u
I
mgH
dt
d
mgH
I
T t 2 =
About pivot