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Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
ISAT 241
Fall 2004 David J. Lawrence
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Mass Attached to a Spring When the mass is stationary, it is in its equilibrium position (Net force = 0). If we pull the mass down slightly and then release it, what happens? Graph the displacement from equilibrium as a function of time.
x(t) = A cos (w t) where A = amplitude = a constant, and w = angular frequency = a constant. Well learn more about these quantities soon.
0
-wA w2A
Time (s)
0 -w2A
Time (s)
dv Acceleration: a(t) = = dt
- w2 A cos (w t)
Time (s)
2 2 f T
Phase Constant = Phase Angle = f (unit = radians) In general, simple harmonic motion cannot be described by a pure sine or cosine function, so a phase constant, f , or phase angle must be introduced.
E.g.,
x(t) = A cos (w t + f)
General Equations
Displacement from Equilibrium:
x(t) = A cos (w t + f)
Velocity: Acceleration:
v(t) = a(t) =
dx dt
dv dt
= - wA sin (w t + f)
- w2A cos (w t + f) =
An object oscillates with SHM along the x-axis. Its displacement varies with time according to the equation
x x ( t ) (4.0m) cos(t + ) 4
where t is in seconds and the two angles in parentheses are in radians. (See figure on next slide.) (a) Determine the amplitude, phase constant, angular frequency, frequency, and period of the motion. (b) Calculate the velocity and acceleration of the object at any time t. (c) Determine the position, velocity, and acceleration of the object at t = 1 s.
S. H. M. Example (continued)
An object oscillates with SHM along the x-axis. Its displacement varies with time according to the equation
x x( t ) ( 4.0m) cos( t +
Whenever the force acting on an object is linearly proportional to the displacement and in the opposite direction, the object exhibits simple harmonic motion. We have been considering the simple example of a mass attached to a spring.
Therefore,
(d2x/dt2) = - (k/m) x
This is a differential equation, which can be solved for x(t). The solution is the equation we have been using all along: x(t) = A cos (w t + f) Show that this is a solution to the differential equation by substitution.
k m
1 w 1 k f T 2 2 m
m 1 2 2 T k f w
A 200 g mass is connected to a light spring with force constant 5 N/m, and is free to oscillate on a horizontal, frictionless surface. The mass is displaced 5 cm to the right from equilibrium and released from rest. (See figure on next slide.)
(a) Find the period of the mass motion. (b) Find the displacement, speed, and acceleration as functions of time. (c) Determine the max. speed of the mass. (d) Determine the max. acceleration of the mass.