Guiding Questions revisited

What makes the harmonic oscillator model applicable to a wide range of

physical phenomena?
Why must the defining equation of simple harmonic motion take the form
it does?
How can the energy and motion of an oscillation be analyzed graphically and
algebraically?

In this chapter, we have considered simple harmonic motion as a particular example of

an oscillation. In doing so, we recognized:

The inverse proportionality of the time period of a complete oscillation and the
frequency of oscillations (the number per second).

The amplitude in an oscillating system is the maximum displacement of the

body from its equilibrium position.

Simple harmonic oscillations as having acceleration proportional to displacement

and in the opposite direction (the latter indicated by the minus sign).

The magnitude of the constant of proportionality for simple harmonic motion

is the square of angular frequency, where angular frequency is the product of 2​ π​
and the frequency of oscillations.

Two common models for simple harmonic motion are mass–spring systems (with
time period related to the mass and the spring constant) and simple pendula (with
time period related to the length of the string and gravitational field strength).

Many real-world scenarios as being relatable to these two models in design or

problem-solving.

Potential energy increases with displacement.

Kinetic energy is maximum as the body passes through the equilibrium position.

HL
All energy and motion quantities can be analyzed through algebra (using the
relationships between displacement and velocity, and velocity and acceleration)
or graphically (using the gradients of graphs).

The sinusoidal equation for displacement as a function of time can be

differentiated to derive expressions for velocity and maximum velocity and, in
turn, kinetic energy, total energy and potential energy.

Phase angle as a means to compare to points relative to proportions of a ​2π​

oscillation cycle.

H L end