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motion
Learning outcomes
define SHM and illustrate it with a variety of examples
1 1
T= ,f =
f T
The acceleration is
• always directed towards the equilibrium position
• proportional to displacement
How does displacement vary?
[empirically]
PP experiment:
Broomstick pendulum, sinusoidal motion
Obtain a graph of displacement against time
How does velocity vary?
How does acceleration vary?
[empirical result by datalogging]
PP experiment:
Investigating a mass-on-spring oscillator
The SHM auxiliary circle
An imaginary circular motion gives a mathematical
insight into SHM. Its angular velocity is .
Physlets animation ‘The connection between SHM and circular motion’
2
The time period of the motion, T .
1
The frequency of the motion, f .
T 2
dv
a = =- w 2 A cos(w t)
dt
a s 2f s
2 2
Note that
Other symbols, relationships
Displacement, s A sin(t ) A sin(2ft )
At t =0, the object passes through its equilibrium position.
d
v [ A sin(t )] A cos(t )
dt
d
a [A cos(t )] A sin(t )
2
dt
Phase relationship, s A sin(t )
Try the Geogebra simulation.
Maximum values of quantities
Simple harmonic motion:
maximum displacement = A
maximum velocity = A=fA
maximum acceleration = A2 = (f)2A
Circular motion:
displacement = r
velocity = r
acceleration = r2
Problems session 1
Advancing Physics (AP) ‘Quick check’, Q 1 – 4 only.
Two particular systems
m
Mass-on-spring, T 2
k
l
Simple pendulum, T 2
g
(for small angle oscillations)
Finding a spring constant
Method A
Gradually load the spring with weights, and find the extension (x = l – l0)
at each load. Do not go beyond the elastic limit!
F kx , so plot F against x and find k from the gradient.
Method B
Time 10 oscillations for a range of masses. Work out the mean period of
oscillation at each mass.
m
T 2 , so plot T2 against m and find k from the gradient.
k