St.

Mary’s College of Baliuag

Baliuag, Bulacan
SY 2020-2021

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Certificate No. 01 100 1534708 PAASCU Level III Accredited

Subject: Physics 1 Grade Level: 12 Quarter: Second

Module Number: 10 Topic: Simple Harmonic Motion

I. INTRODUCTION
Ever miss being a kid? These days, most kids “play” and
spend most of their time with their cellphones, tablets, &
computer games. What I am actually referring to is about the
time when you were able to play outside with your friends and
neighbors at the park, in the playground.

One of the most fun and enjoyable activity to do in the

park or in the playground was to ride in a swing! The feeling
of being able to swing yourself to and fro and soar a bit high
gives you the excitement of being able to fly! With the wind
behind you and your feet not touching the ground!

Being able to do physical activities and bond with other

people in your neighborhood and to actually socialize with
other people can be beneficial to you, both physically and
socially. The rides and different sets you can see and play Figure 1. Kids playing
with at the park has actual science behind it. From how a (https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0GpNcvAVWVg/maxres
slide works and even down to the simple swing set, science default.jpg)
is there--- for FUN!

This time, you are going to know more about the physics behind the swing and hopes that
in the near future you would be inspired to make /invent another ride that may give
unsurmountable joy to other kids.

II. THIS MODULE WAS MADE FOR YOU TO:

1. relate the amplitude, frequency, angular frequency, period, displacement, velocity, and
acceleration of oscillating systems
2. recognize the necessary conditions for an object to undergo simple harmonic motion
3. calculate the period and the frequency of spring mass, simple pendulum, and physical
pendulum
4. differentiate underdamped, overdamped, and critically damped motion

III. DISCUSSION
A. Presentation of the Lesson
1. Periodic Motion
Going back to the swing, notice that when you ride this set its motion is always the
same? Things or objects that has its motion repeated at regular intervals of time follows
a particular movement called Periodic Motion.

(a) The rocking of a chair

(b) Movement of the hands of a clock
& the pendulum of a grandfather’s
clock
(c) Rotation of the blades of a fan.
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 2. Examples of objects with periodic motion
(https://cdn4.vectorstock.com/i/1000x1000/30/93/rocking-chair-wood-with-pillow-on-seat-vector-22963093.jpg)
(https://image.freepik.com/free-vector/old-wooden-grandfather-clock-flat-icon-antique-furniture-illustration_58813-271.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/80/08/cc/8008cc82be12685763045e90efae41c9.jpg)
 Facts to Remember:

MEASURING SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

Period (T) is the time required of a boy in periodic motion to make a complete
to-and-fro motion or cycle. This is usually expressed in seconds.

Frequency (f) is the number of cycles done per unit of time. Its unit is in terms
of Hertz (Hz). In equation,
1
f=T
Angular Frequency (ω) is sometimes used instead of frequency. Normally
expressed in radians per second.

2𝜋
ω = 2πf or ω= 𝑇

2. Simple Harmonic Motion

This is a type of periodic motion where in the restoring force of a body is
proportional to the displacement of the body from its equilibrium position. This restoring
force acts in a direction opposite that of the displacement of the body.

Notice the movement of the

ball attached to a spring here that
moves up and down

In equation,
Equilibrium F = -kx
position F = restoring force / spring force
x = displacement from the
Figure 3. Simple Harmonic Motion equilibrium position
(https://d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net/styles/media_full/s3/images/a
a665560df6c7b98db75469929ac4714dcdde0d4.jpg?itok=vlw-QyOZ )
k = proportionality constant

3. Velocity, Acceleration, and Energy of a Simple Harmonic Oscillator

Observe the motion of the ball that is

attached to a spring on the left. This is called a
mass-spring oscillator,

Try to remember the topic of Total

Mechanical Energy, for its concept can still be
A applied here.

When an object is at its maximum

B displacement (or amplitude), its velocity (and
KE) is zero. In cases like this, displacement is
replaced by amplitude.
C
Figure 4. Mass-Spring Oscillator The acceleration of a simple harmonic
(https://d1yqpar94jqbqm.cloudfront.net/styles/media_full/s3/images/aa6 oscillator may be obtained using Newton’s
65560df6c7b98db75469929ac4714dcdde0d4.jpg?itok=vlw-QyOZ) second law of motion.
𝐹 −𝑘𝑥
a=𝑚= 𝑚

Take note:

• Speed/velocity (v) is maximum at x = 0 or at equilibrium position.

• Acceleration (a) is maximum if the displacement (amplitude) is at
maximum.
4. Conditions of Simple Harmonic Motion
For a body to be in simple harmonic motion, there are certain conditions that must
be met by that object. These are:
i. The motion must be in a straight-line path
ii. The motion must be periodic
iii. The motion must be to-and-fro about a fixed position
iv. The acceleration should be directed towards a fixed position.

5. Pendulum and Mass-Spring Oscillator

Of the many things that can illustrate the behavior of Simple Harmonic Motion, a
pendulum and a mass-spring oscillator are the best examples to show its
characteristics.

Let us begin with a simple pendulum, it is normally

made with a concentrated mass called “bobs” suspended
by a light thread attached to a fixed support as shown in
figure 5.

Since we are talking about periods of objects, what do

you think are the factors that affect the period of a
pendulum? _____________________________________

Figure 5. Pendulum
These are the length of the wire and the gravity of the (https://cdn.britannica.com/95/87995-004-
074F44AE/Pendulum.jpg )
environment. Want to try and prove these out? Follow the
link provided below and do the simulation.

Pendulum Lab
by PhET Interactive Simulations
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/pendulum-lab

For the period of a simple pendulum, you can easily compute for how long 1 period
is by using the equation below:
𝐿
Tp = 2π√
𝑔

As for a mass-spring oscillator, the factors that affect is period are the mass of the
object attached to it and the spring’s stiffness. You may also try and test these factors
out by following the link provided below and do the simulations.

Masses and Springs: Basics

by PhET Interactive Simulations
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/masses-and-springs-
basics

For the period of a mass-spring oscillator, you can easily compute for how long 1
period is by using the equation below:
𝑚
Ts = 2π√
𝑘
To sum this part of the lesson if you want to…
1. Increase the period of a simple pendulum, increase the length of the wire.
2. Decrease the period of a simple pendulum, increase the gravity of the environment.
3. Increase the period of a mass-spring oscillator, increase the mass of the object.
4. Decrease the period of a mass-spring oscillator, increase the spring’s stiffness.
 6. Damped Oscillation
In this module, you may have noticed that in Simple Harmonic Motion for objects
to move, they must vibrate! And in our earlier statements, we disregarded the effects
of friction on the vibrating systems.

But in real situations, there is always a form of resistance. An object initially set
into vibration will eventually lose its momentum and have its amplitude decrease over
time due to frictional effects. Eventually, these objects will stop vibrating. We can refer
to this type of motion as damped oscillations or damped harmonic oscillations.

There are 3 types of damped oscillations.

i. Underdamped oscillation
In this type of oscillation, the system gradually
decreases its amplitude over time until it finally stops
like a swing being pushed once.

Now the next types of oscillations return equilibrium

immediately without oscillating.

ii. Critically damped oscillation

This type of oscillation returns to equilibrium
faster than overdamped oscillation. Door closing and
shock absorbers in cars are examples of this type of
oscillation.

iii. Overdamped oscillation

Spring mechanisms closes the doors
gradually is an example of this type of oscillation.

Figure 6. Harmonic Oscillations

(https://www.elmer.unibas.ch/pendulum/hosc.gif)

For additional information about Periodic and Simple Harmonic Motion, follow the links
provided below.

Simple Harmonic Motion: Hooke’s Law

by Prof. Dave Explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_KnZHCn4M

Simple Harmonic Motion: Crash Course Physics #16

by Crash Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxstE6A_CYQ

Simple Harmonic Motion

by 7activestudio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2HpLBVAkA
Sample Problem #1
An oscillating body takes 0.8s to complete four cycles. What is the
(a) period
(b) frequency

GIVEN t = 0.8s
no. of cycles = 4

FIND (a) T = ?
(b) f = ?

FORMULA 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
T = No. of cycles
1
f=T

SOLUTION Problem (a)

𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
T=
No. of cycles
0.8𝑠
T=
4

T = 0.2s

Problem (b)
1
f=
T
1
f=
0.2 𝑠

f = 5.0 Hz
ANSWER (a) T = 0.2 s
(b) f = 5.0 Hz

Sample Problem #2
A force of 3.0 N elongates a spring by 6.0cm.
a. What is the force constant of the spring?
b. How much force is needed to elongate the spring an additional 6.0cm

GIVEN F= 3.0 N
x = 6.0cm → 0.06m

FIND (a) k = ?
(b) F= ? if x = 12.0cm

FORMULA F = -kx
SOLUTION Problem (a)
F = kx
(3.0N) = k (0.06m)
50N/m = k
 Problem (b)
F = kx
F = (50 N/m)(0.12m)
F = 6.0 N
ANSWER (a) k = 50 N/m
(b) F= 6.0 N

Sample Problem #3
A pendulum is observed to complete 23 full cycles in 58 seconds. Determine the period
and the frequency of the pendulum.

GIVEN

FIND
FORMULA
SOLUTION

ANSWER f = 2.5 Hz T = 0.40 s

B. LESSON LINKS
1. They say that “Experience is the best teacher”. As a student, what mistake/s have
you done in the past that leaves you a very important lesson in life? What lesson/s
have you learned from that experience?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. Saying “sorry” to people whom you unintentionally hurt will also mean that you won’t
do the same offense again. But what if other people tend to repeat the same
mistakes all over again, would you forgive them? Why? Why not?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

3. Familiar with this line “forgive each other “seventy times seven times”
(Matthew18:22). What is the implication of "seventy times seven"?

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

IV. REMEMBER
• Simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion where the restoring force is proportional
to but opposite in direction to the displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.
• Harmonic motion may be underdamped, overdamped, or critically damped as a result
of frictional forces.
• Amplitude is the displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.
• Period is the time it takes to complete one cycle. Frequency is the number of cycles per
second.