9.1 SHMReview

Simple Harmonic Motion
AP Physics 1
Definitions  Oscillator: object or system whose motion repeats at regular intervals

o Period (T): time needed to complete one oscillation: measured in seconds
o Frequency (f): number of oscillations per second: measured in Hertz (1 Hz = 1 / second)
o Amplitude (A): maximum displacement from equilibrium
 Simple Harmonic Motion: oscillator where there is a restoring force which is proportional to the
displacement of the object
Concepts  Mass on a Spring
𝑚
o Period depends on mass and spring constant: 𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑘
 Simple Pendulum
𝑙
o Period depends on length of string and gravitational field: 𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔
 Graphs of motion for a simple harmonic oscillator are sinusoidal and are related to time by a sine or
cosine function. (see figure 1)
o General form of the equation (for position): 𝑥 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝜋𝑓𝑡)
o Remember: any time you see sine or cosine on the formula chart, it could be either of the two
o Sine graph has a y-intercept of zero
o Cosine graph has a y-intercept of +Amplitude
o Negative Cosine graph has a y-intercept of –Amplitude
 Energy is conserved during simple harmonic motion
o Potential energy depends on displacement from equilibrium: the further from equilibrium the
more potential energy and thus less kinetic energy
 Velocity is the slope of the position vs. time graph
o A SHM oscillator reaches its maximum velocity at the equilibrium position since that is where
the kinetic energy is the greatest
 Acceleration is the slope of the velocity vs. time graph
o A SHM oscillator experiences the greatest acceleration at the Amplitude since that is where the
force on it is the greatest
(Figure 1)
cos
Amplitude = 2
sin
- cos
Period = 10 s
Simple Harmonic Motion Review

1. The diagram below shows a block on a frictionless level
surface which is attached to an ideal spring (not drawn) which
is also attached to the wall at the right end. The block is set in
simple harmonic motion. The block is shown at five different
times during one half of an oscillation. The graph to the right
shows the position of the block as a function of time t where
positive values of x are to the right of equilibrium.
a) Write an equation for the block’s position as a function of

time.
b) Which diagram shows the position of the block at time t = 0 seconds?
c) On the diagram below, draw an arrow showing the magnitude and direction of the block’s velocity at that positon.
1 2 3 4 5
-A x0 A
d) For each position of the block, draw a free body diagram and an LOL energy bar chart.
1 2 3 4 5
e) For each position of the block, draw an LOL energy bar chart.
1 2 3 4 5
K Ug Us K Ug Us K Ug Us K Ug Us K Ug Us
f) At what position and time does the block achieve its maximum positive acceleration? Explain your answers using
appropriate physics principles and mathematical models.

2. A 0.4 kg block is on a frictionless horizontal surface attached to an ideal spring whose spring constant is 100
N/m. The block is displaced 0.8 m to the left and released at time t = 0 seconds and it moves in simple harmonic
motion. Let right be the positive direction.
a) Write an equation for the block’s position as a function of time.
b) At what time after t = 0 seconds will the block first stop? Explain your reasoning.
c) Calculate the maximum velocity of the block and state the direction the block is moving the first time after t = 0
seconds it reaches maximum velocity.
d) Calculate the maximum acceleration of the block and state the direction of the acceleration the first time after t =
0 seconds it reaches maximum acceleration.
e) The second time the block reaches equilibrium; a 0.2 kg disk is dropped from rest on top of the block. The disk
lands on and sticks to the block.
i. Calculate the velocity of the block-disk system immediately after the disk sticks to the block.
ii. Does the amplitude of the block increase, decrease, or remain the same? Explain your reasoning.
iii. Does the period of the block’s motion increase, decrease, or remain the same? Explain your reasoning.

3. A 0.25 kg cylinder is hung from an ideal vertical spring, causing it to stretch by 0.05 m. The cylinder is then
supported and lifted until the spring is returned to its unstretched length. The cylinder is then released from rest.
a) Draw a free body diagram showing the forces at each of the following times:
Just after release At equilibrium At maximum spring stretch
b) Calculate the stretch in the spring after the block is released when the block first comes to rest again.
c) Calculate the time needed for the block to come to rest for the first time after being released.
4. A simple pendulum and an object oscillating on a spring both have mass m and both oscillate with period T.
a) Derive an equation for the length of the pendulum (l) in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants.
b) Derive an equation for the spring constant (k) in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants.
c) The mass of both objects is now doubled. Derive a new equation for Tp the new pendulum period and a new
equation for Ts the period of the object on the spring in terms of the original period T.

9.1 SHMReview

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

9.1 SHMReview

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

9.1 SHMReview

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Simple Harmonic Motion

Definitions  Oscillator: object or system whose motion repeats at regular intervals

Simple Harmonic Motion Review

a) Write an equation for the block’s position as a function of

b) Which diagram shows the position of the block at time t = 0 seconds?

Simple Harmonic Motion Review

a) Write an equation for the block’s position as a function of time.

Simple Harmonic Motion Review

Just after release At equilibrium At maximum spring stretch

Simple Harmonic Motion Review

You might also like