We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
Simple Harmonic Motion
A particle is said to execute simple
harmonic motion if it moves to and fro
about a mean position under the
action of a restoring force which is
directly proportional to its
displacement from the mean position
and is always directed towards the
mean position.
For small displacement x from the
mean position,
F directly proportional to x
or
F=-kx This equation defines SHM. Here k is a
positive constant called force constant
or spring factor and is defined as the
restoring force produced per unit
displacement. The SI unit of k is Nm-1.
The negative sign shows that F always
acts in the opposite direction of x.
Using Newton's second law of motion,
F = ma = -kx
=> a=-k/m xx => a directly
proportional to x
So, a particle is said to possess SHM if
it moves to and fro about a mean
position under an acceleration which
is directly proportional to its
displacement from the mean position
and is always directed towards that
position. Examples of simple harmonic motion:
1. Oscillations of a simple pendulum.
2. Vibrations of the balance wheel of a
match.
3. Oscillations of a loaded spring.
