WAVES AND OPTICS

S.Y. 2021-2022
Learning goals
• describe simple harmonic motion
• define the relationship of applied force to displacement;
and
• calculate the energy of simple harmonic motion and solve
problems on Hooke’s law.
The Ideal Spring
equilibrium position - when the net force acting on the
spring is zero

Displacement (x)- the distance away from the

equilibrium position

Amplitude (A) - magnitude of maximum displacement

cycle- one complete out and back motion

period (T)- time to complete one cycle

frequency the number of cycles in one second

1
𝑇=
𝑓
 Hooke's Law
law that states that the restoring force applied by a spring is directly
proportional to the displacement of the spring and opposite in
direction
Fs = −kx
Fs is the force exerted by the spring in N
x is the change in length ( extension or compression) of the spring
in m
k is a spring constant in N/m
Spring Constant
𝐹𝑠 = −𝑘𝑥

𝐹𝑠
𝑘=
𝑥
k - spring constant in N/m
- measure of stiffness of the spring
- determines the amount of force needed to stretch the spring one
meter
Using Phet simulation, measure the change in length of the spring when a
mass is attached to it.

mass mass Force △l △l (m)

(g) (kg) (N) (cm)
F=mg
100

200

300
 𝐹𝑠 = −𝑘𝑥
mass (g) mass (kg) Force (N) △l (cm) △l (m) 𝐹𝑠
𝑘=
𝑥

100 0.100 0.981 16.5 0.165 Fs 0.981

k    5.95 N / m
x 0.165

200 0.200 1.962 33 0.330

Fs 1.962
k    5.95 N / m
x 0.330

300 0.300 2.943 49.5 0.495

Fs 2.943
k    5.95 N / m
x 0.495
 mass (g) mass (kg) Force (N) △l (cm) △l (m)

50

110

170

220

300

Unknown masses
Green=? Blue=? Red=?

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/masses-and-springs/latest/masses-and-springs_en.html
 mass (g) mass (kg) Force (N) △l (cm) △l (m)

50 0.050 0.49 8 0.08

110 0.110 1.08 18 0.18

170 0.170 1.67 28 0.28

220 0.220 2.16 36 0.36

300 0.300 2.94 49 0.49

Unknown masses
Green=? 10cm = 0.10 m
Blue=? 19.5 cm = 0.95 m
Red=? 29 cm = 0.29 m
Green=? 10cm = 0.10 m
Blue=? 19.5 cm = 1.95 m
Red=? 29 cm = 0.29 m Force(N) L(cm)

0.49 0.08

1.08 0.18

1.67 0.28

2.16 0.36

2.94 0.49
mass Force (N) Mass (kg) Mass (g)
green 0.60 0.061 61

blue 1.2 0.122 122

red 1.7 0.173 173

 Summary
Spring Constant

tells about the stiffness of the spring

tells how much force is needed to stretch or compress the spring

Energy in SHM
In Simple Harmonic Motion, the object moves to and fro along the same path.

Do you think an object possesses energy while travelling the same path again and
again?

The total energy that a particle possesses while performing simple harmonic
motion is energy in simple harmonic motion.
x=0 v= max a=0
PE = 0 KE = max

x = max v=0 a = max

PE = max KE = 0

x = max v=0 a = max

PE = max KE = 0
 Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
-repetitive movement back and forth through an equilibrium, or central position, so that the
maximum displacement on one side of this position is equal to the maximum displacement on
the other side.

Energy in compressing or stretching the spring is a mechanical.

𝑻𝑴𝑬 = 𝑲𝑬 + 𝑷𝑬
Kinetic Energy
𝟏
𝑲𝑬 = 𝐦𝒗𝟐
𝟐
Elastic Potential Energy
𝟏
𝑷𝑬 = k𝒙𝟐
𝟐
 Total Mechanical Energy
At the point of greatest displacement (A)
TME = PE
1
TME = k𝐴2
2

TME = KE + PE
1 2 1 1
k𝐴 = 𝑚𝑣 + 𝑘𝑥 2
2
2 2 2
 Calculate Max Velocity
Velocity occurs at the equilibrium position
At the equilibrium position the displacement is zero

1 2 1 1
k𝐴 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑘𝑥 2
2 2 2

1 2 1
k𝐴 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2 2

k𝐴2 = 𝑚𝑣 2

𝑘𝐴2
= 𝑣2
𝑚

𝑘
𝑣= .A
𝑚
Velocity at Intermediated Points
1 2 1 1
k𝐴 = 𝑚𝑣 + 𝑘𝑥 2
2
2 2 2

k𝐴2 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑘𝑥 2

𝑚𝑣 2 = k𝐴2 − 𝑘𝑥 2

2
𝑘𝐴 𝑘𝑥 2
2
𝑣 = −
𝑚 𝑚

𝑘
𝑣= ( 𝐴2 − 𝑥 2 )
𝑚
Acceleration of Mass
F = ma

𝐹
𝑎=
𝑚
𝑘𝑥
𝑎=
𝑚
𝑘
𝑎= (x)
𝑚

𝑘
𝑎= (A)
𝑚
Sample Problem
A block with a mass of 0.65 kg is attached to a spring k = 170 N/m. The
block is displaced 25 cm from the equilibrium position and then
released.
Calculate ;
a) The total energy in the system.
b) The maximum speed of the block
c) The speed of the block when it is 10 cm from the equilibrium
position.
A block with a mass of 0.65 kg is attached to a spring k = 170 N/m. The
block is displaced 25 cm from the equilibrium position and then released.
a) total energy in the system
1
TME = k𝐴2
2
1
TME = (170 N/m) (0.25m )2
2
TME = 5. 3 J
A block with a mass of 0.65 kg is attached to a spring k = 170 N/m. The block is
displaced 25 cm from the equilibrium position and then released.

b) The maximum speed of the block TME= 5.3 J

1
𝑘 𝐾𝐸 = m𝑣 2
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = .A 2
1 𝑚
𝑚 𝐾𝐸 = 2 0.65 kg (4.0 𝑠 )2

170 𝑁/𝑚
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (25cm) KE = 5.3 J
0.65 𝑘𝑔

170 𝑁/𝑚
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (0.25m)
0.65 𝑘𝑔
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4.0 m/s
A block with a mass of 0.65 kg is attached to a spring k = 170 N/m. The block
is displaced 25 cm from the equilibrium position and then released.

c) The speed of the block when it is 10 cm from the equilibrium

position
𝑘
𝑣= ( 𝐴2 − 𝑥 2 )
𝑚

170 𝑁/𝑚
𝑣= ( (0.25𝑚)2 −(0.10)2 )
0.65 𝑘𝑔
v= 3.71 m/s
Calculate the following;
1. If the amplitude of a spring is doubled, what happens to the total
energy?
2. A spring is hanging vertically. A 2.5 kg mass is attached to the spring
and it changes its length by 30 cm. The mass is then pulled down an
additional 35 cm and released. What is the Potential Energy, the Kinetic
Energy, and the Total Mechanical Energy of the spring when the mass is
10 cm from the equilibrium.
3. A mass of 1.8 kg oscillating on a spring with constant 4 N/m passes
through its equilibrium point with a velocity of 8 m/s. What is the
energy of the system at this point?
2. A spring is hanging vertically. A 2.5 kg mass is attached to the spring and it changes its length by
30 cm. The mass is then pulled down an additional 35 cm and released. What is the Potential
Energy, the Kinetic Energy, and the Total Mechanical Energy of the spring when the mass is 10 cm
from the equilibrium.
Given:
2. A spring is hanging vertically. A 2.5 kg mass is attached to the spring and it changes its length by 30 cm.
The mass is then pulled down an additional 35 cm and released. What is the Potential Energy, the Kinetic
Energy, and the Total Mechanical Energy of the spring when the mass is 10 cm from the equilibrium.
3. A mass of 1.8 kg oscillating on a spring with constant 4 N/m passes through
its equilibrium point with a velocity of 8 m/s. What is the energy of the system
at this point?