CHAPTER 7

SIMPLE
HARMONIC
MOTION
AND
WAVES
 SUB TOPIC

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4

KINEMATIC GRAPHS OF PERIOD OF PROPERTIES

OF SIMPLE SIMPLE SIMPLE OF WAVES
HARMONIC HARMONIC HARMONIC
MOTION(SHM) MOTION MOTION

7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8

SUPERPOSITION APPLICATION DOPPLER

OF EFFECT
STANDING
WAVES

2
7.1 KINEMATICS OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION(SHM)
At the end of this chapter students should be able to:

a Explain SHM

Apply SHM displacement equation,

b y  A sin t

Use equations:
c i) Velocity , v  A cost   A  y
2 2

ii) Acceleration, a   Asin t   y

2 2

iii) Kinetic energy, K

1
2

m 2 A2  y 2 
1
iv) Potential energy, U  m 2 y 2
2
Emphasise the relationship between total SHM energy and
d amplitude

e Apply equations of velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy

and potential energy for SHM 3
7.2 GRAPHS OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
At the end of this chapter students should be able to:

Analyse the following graphs:

a
i) displacement - time
ii) velocity - time
iii) acceleration - time
iv) energy - displacement

4
 PISTON IN CAR ENGINE

OSCILLATION/ PERIODIC MOTION:

the back & forth motion of an object about a fixed
point called the equilibrium position

BLOCK ATTACHED TO A PENDULUM

SPRING
 SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION (SHM)

ITEMS DESCRIPTION
DEFINITION

d2y
EQUATION a   2
y  2
dt
where:
a : accelerati on of the body
ω : angular ve locity(ang ular frequency)

y : displaceme nt from the equilibriu m position, o

 Amplitude
Displacement Period

Equilibrium
Position
 DISPLACEMENT IN SHM

x x

T

ITEMS EQUATION CONDITIONS

t=0s  = 0°

y  A sin     y  A sin t
Displacement

where: where:
    = phase (unit in y = displacement of object
radian) from equilibrium
 = phase constant A = amplitude
 = angular velocity or
(initial phase angle)
angular frequency
t = time
 VELOCITY IN SHM

 A

T 2T
 A

EQUATION CONDITIONS

dy
v
dt
and
y  Asin t   
VELOCITY IN SHM ( IN TERMS OF DISPLACEMENT)
from : y  A sin  t  sin  t 
y
(1)
known : v  A cos  t A
v 2  A2 2 cos2  t
from Identity Trigonometry :
sin 2  t  cos2  t  1
Thus , we have : v 2  A2 2 (1  sin 2  t ) (2)
2
y
from eq. (1) : sin 2  t  2
A 2
y
Substitute into eq.(2) : v 2  A2  2 (1  2 )
A
v 2   2 ( A2  y 2 )

v   A2  y 2
 VELOCITY IN SHM ( IN TERMS OF DISPLACEMENT)

v max    A

v min  0 v max    A
 ACCELERATION IN SHM

2A

T
2A

EQUATION CONDITIONS

dv
a
dt
and
v  A cost   
GRAPHS FOR SHM
 EXAMPLE 7.1 SOLUTION
(a) From the graph y versus t:
A = 0.3 m
T = 0.4 s
1 1
frequencyf    2.5Hz
T 0.4
(b) Angular frequency,
2 2
   5 rad s 1
FIGURE 7.1 T 0.4
FIGURE 7.1 shows how the (c) At t = 2s :
displacement, y varies with time t for a
system undergoing SHM
Determine the following quantities
 0.3 sin 5 (2)
(a) amplitude, period, frequency
(b) angular frequency  0.3sin 10
(c) displacement, velocity & 180
acceleration for the system at time t  0.3 sin(10 x )
= 2s. 
 EXAMPLE 7.1 SOLUTION
(c) At t = 2s :

v  1.5 cos 5 t
v  1.5 cos 5 (2)
v  1.5 m s 1
FIGURE 7.1
dv
FIGURE 7.1 shows how the from: a    A 2 sin  t
displacement, y varies with time t for a dt
system undergoing SHM a  0.3(5 ) 2 sin 5 t
Determine the following quantities  7.5 2 sin 5 (2)
(a) amplitude, period, frequency
(b) angular frequency a  0 m s 2
(c) displacement, velocity & acceleration
for the system at time t = 2s.
 EXAMPLE 7.2 SOLUTION
(a ) Amplitude A  5 cm
The equation of motion for a (b) from equation :   3 rad s-1
particle oscillating in SHM is given 2 2
Use : T  
as:  3
y = 5 sin 3t
 2.094 s
where y is the displacement in cm.
Determine the (c) At t = 0.2 s , y = ?
(a) amplitude y = 5 sin 3t
(b) period of oscillation  5 sin 3 (0.2)
(c) displacement at time t = 0.2s 180
(d) maximum velocity  5 sin[ 0.6 x ]
(e) maximum acceleration

 2.823 cm
(f) velocity when its displacement
is 4 cm (d) Maximum velocity, vmax =?
(g)sketch the graph of displacement v max   A
against time   3 (0.05)
  0.15 m s 1
 EXAMPLE 7.2 SOLUTION
(e) Maximum acceleration, amax
The equation of motion for a = ?
a max   2 A
particle oscillating in SHM is given
  (3) 2 (0.05)
as: 2
y = 5 sin 3t
  0 .45 m s
where y is the displacement in cm. (f) At y = 4cm, v = ?
Determine the
(a) amplitude
(b) period of oscillation   3 (0.05) 2  (0.04) 2
(c) displacement at time t = 0.2s  0.09 m s 1
(d) maximum velocity (g)
T=2.09s
(e) maximum acceleration
(f) velocity when its displacement
is 4 cm
(g)sketch the graph of displacement
against time
 EXAMPLE 7.3 SOLUTION
The graph 7.1 shows the forces (a) SHM – the force is
acting on a particle of mass,m = 2kg. proportional to its
displacement but directed
opposite to its displacement.

(b) From the graph, amplitude A

= 0.1 m

(c) From Newton’s 2nd Law :

F  ma
(a) What type of motion is the for SHM : a   2 y
particle undergoing ? Give
F  m 2 y (1)
reason for your answer.
(b) What is its amplitude? from graph : y  0.1m ; F  20 N
(c) Find : 1 its angular velocity subsitute in Eq.(1) :
2 its period (20)  (2) 2 (0.1)
3 its maximum velocity
  100  10 rad s 1
 EXAMPLE 7.3 SOLUTION
The graph 7.1 shows the forces (c) Known: T  2
acting on a particle of mass,m = 2kg. 
2

10
 0.628 s
(e) The maximum velocity :
v max   A
  (10)(0.1)
 1m s 1
(a) What type of motion is the
particle undergoing? Give
reason for your answer.
(b) What is its amplitude?
(c) Find : 1. its angular velocity
2. its period
3.its maximum velocity
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE
1. An object executes SHM whose displacement x varies with time t
according to the relation
y
where x is in centimetres and t is in seconds. Determine
a. the amplitude, frequency, period and phase constant of the motion,
b. the velocity and acceleration of the object at any time, t ,
c. the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the object at t = 2.00 s.
d. the maximum speed and maximum acceleration of the object.


A  5.00 cm f  1.00 Hz T  1.00 s    rad x  5.00 cm
2
v  0.00 cm s 1 a  20.0 2 cm s 2  197 cm s 2 vmax  10.0 cm s 1
amax  20.0 2 cm s 2
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

2. A body hanging from one end of a vertical spring performs vertical

SHM. The distance between two points, at which the speed of the
body is zero is 7.5 cm. If the time taken for the body to move
between the two points is 0.17 s, Determine
a. the amplitude of the motion,
b. the frequency of the motion,
c. the maximum acceleration of body in the motion.
7.5 10 2 amax  12.8 m s 2
A  3.75 10  2 m f  2.94 Hz
2
3. A mass which hangs from the end of a vertical helical spring is in
SHM of amplitude 2.0 cm. If three complete oscillations take 4.0 s,
determine the acceleration of the mass
a. at the equilibrium position,
b. when the displacement is maximum.
ANS. : U think ; 44.4 cm s-2
INITIAL PHASE ANGLE OR PHASE CONSTANT

t = 0s
A
 y0

y  A sin t   
yo
sin  
A
 EXAMPLE 7.4 SOLUTION

An object of mass 450 g oscillates

from a vertically hanging light spring
once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of
the mass-spring is started by being
compressed 10 cm from the
10 cm m t 0
equilibrium position and released.
a. Write down the equation giving the
0
object’s displacement as a function  10 cm
of time. a.
b. How long will the object take to get The amplitude of the motion is
to the equilibrium position for the A  10 cm
first time? The angular frequency of the
c. Calculate oscillation is
i. the maximum speed of the object, 2 2
ii. the maximum acceleration of the
 
T 0.55
object.   11.4 rad s 1
 EXAMPLE 7.4 SOLUTION

An object of mass 450 g oscillates

from a vertically hanging light spring
once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of
the mass-spring is started by being
compressed 10 cm from the
10 cm m t 0
equilibrium position and released.
a. Write down the equation giving the
0
object’s displacement as a function  10 cm
of time. a.
b. How long will the object take to get and the initial phase angle is
to the equilibrium position for the given by
first time?
c. Calculate A  A sin  0   
i. the maximum speed of the object,

ii. the maximum acceleration of the
  rad
object. 2
 EXAMPLE 7.4 SOLUTION

An object of mass 450 g oscillates

from a vertically hanging light spring
once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of
the mass-spring is started by being
compressed 10 cm from the
10 cm m t 0
equilibrium position and released.
a. Write down the equation giving the
0
object’s displacement as a function  10 cm
of time. a.
b. How long will the object take to get Therefore the equation of the
to the equilibrium position for the displacement as a function of
first time? time is
c. Calculate
i. the maximum speed of the object,
ii. the maximum acceleration of the OR
object.
 EXAMPLE 7.4 SOLUTION
b. At the equilibrium position, y = 0
An object of mass 450 g oscillates
from a vertically hanging light spring
once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of
the mass-spring is started by being
 
compressed 10 cm from the 0  10 sin 11.4t  
equilibrium position and released.
 2
a. Write down the equation giving the  
11.4t    sin 0
1
object’s displacement as a function
of time.
 2
 
b. How long will the object take to get
11.4t    
to the equilibrium position for the  2
first time? t  0.138 s
c. Calculate
i. the maximum speed of the object, T 0.55
ii. the maximum acceleration of the OR t 
object.
4 4
t  0.138 s
 EXAMPLE 7.4 SOLUTION

An object of mass 450 g oscillates c. i. The maximum speed of the

from a vertically hanging light spring object is
once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of vmax  A
the mass-spring is started by being vmax  0.111.4
compressed 10 cm from the
equilibrium position and released. vmax  1.14 m s 1
a. Write down the equation giving the
ii. The maximum acceleration of
object’s displacement as a function
the object is
of time.
b. How long will the object take to get
to the equilibrium position for the
amax  A 2
amax  0.111.4
2
first time?
c. Calculate amax  13.0 m s 2
i. the maximum speed of the object,
ii. the maximum acceleration of the
object.
 INITIAL PHASE ANGLE OR PHASE CONSTANT
Assume we have 2 oscillators :

Both oscillators have the same ω value.

Phase shift / Phase Difference ( ∆ɸ ) is :

  t  2   t  1 

If : Δ0 : y 2 leading y1
  0 : y lagging y1
2

  0 : y & y1 are in phase

2

   : y & y1 are anti phase

2
SHM 2 LEADING SHM 1

y 1  A sin ( t )


y 2  A sin ( t  )
2
SHM 2 LAGGING SHM 1


y1  A sin ( t  )
2

y 2  A sin ( t )
SHM 2 AND SHM 1 ARE IN PHASE
SHM 2 AND SHM 1 ARE IN ANTIPHASE
 EXAMPLE 7.5 SOLUTION
(a) SHM already displaced 4cm (
amplitude ) when t = 0s ; φ =
+ 2
Amplitude A = 4 cm
Angular velocity,
GRAPH 7.2 shows displacement 2 2
against time for a SHM system.     rad s 1

T 2
(a) Write the equation for this SHM
system. Equation for 1st SHM :
(b) Write the equation for SHM which
has same amplitude & angular
velocity as SHM above but lagging
the SHM above with a phase shift
of  2
.
(c) Using the same axis, sketch a x – t
graph for both SHM
 EXAMPLE 7.5 SOLUTION
(b) Given :
A2 = A1 = 4cm
ω2 = ω1 = π rad s-1
∆φ = - ( π/2 )
GRAPH 7.2 shows displacement *∆φ = -ve because y2 lagging y1
against time for a SHM system.
(a) Write the equation for this SHM From :
system.   ( t   2)  ( t   1)
(b) Write the equation for SHM which  
has same amplitude & angular
  ( t   2)  ( t  )
2 2
velocity as SHM above but lagging  0
2
the SHM above with a phase shift
of  2 Equation for 2nd SHM :
.
(c) Using the same axis, sketch a x – t
graph for both SHM
 EXAMPLE 7.5 SOLUTION
(c) Graph x – t

GRAPH 7.2 shows displacement

against time for a SHM system.
(a) Write the equation for this SHM
system.

(b) Write the equation for SHM which

has same amplitude & angular
velocity as SHM above but lagging
the SHM above with a phase shift
of  2
.
(c) Using the same axis, sketch a x – t
graph for both SHM
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE
x (cm)

0 1 .0 2.0 3.0 t (s)

4
FIGURE 7.2
FIGURE 7.2 shows the variation of displacement, y with an object in SHM.
a) Determine the amplitude, period and frequency of the motion
b) Another SHM leads the SHM above by phase difference 0.5π
radian where the amplitude and period of both SHM are the same.
On the same axes, sketch the displacement, y against time, t graph
for both SHM

 
A  4 cm T  2.0 s f  0.5 Hz x1  4 sin  t  x2  4 sin t   
 2
 ENERGY IN SHM

POTENTIAL KINETIC
ENERGY ENERGY

 E  U  K  constant

Without damping ( no loss of energy from a system)

 POTENTIAL ENERGY IN SHM

from : Fs   k y
y  A sin  t
ma  k y
1 m( 2 y)  k y
U  k y2  (1)
OR
2 k  m 2  (4)

1 Substitute (4) into (1), thus we get :

U  k ( A2 sin 2  t )
2
1
U  m 2 y 2
2
 KINETIC ENERGY IN SHM

1
K m v2
21
K  m ( A cos  t ) 2
2
1 knowingthat : v   A2  y 2
K  m A2 2 cos2  t  (3) 1
2 Substitute into equation K  mv 2 :
2
from : Fs   k y
OR
ma  k y
1
m( 2 y)  k y K  m 2 ( A2  y 2 )
k  m 2  (4) 2

Substitute (4) into (3), thus we get :

1
K  k A cos  t
2 2

2
 TOTAL ENERGY IN SHM (  E U  K)

1
U  k ( A2 sin 2  t ) 1
U  m 2 y 2
2 2
1
K  k A2 cos2  t 1
K  m 2 ( A2  y 2 )
2 2
OR
1
E  k A2 [sin 2  t  cos2  t ]
2
from the Identity : sin 2   cos2   1,
thus :
1 1
E  k A2 E  m 2 A2
2 2
 TOTAL ENERGY IN SHM (  E U  K)

The total energy in the simple harmonic motion of a particle is:

•Directly proportional to its mass
•Directly proportional to the square of the frequency
of oscillations and
•Directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of
oscillation.
 GRAPH OF ENERGY IN SHM

Graph Graph E versus y Graph E versus t

Pattern of
Graph

Explanation  U is small when K is large & vise versa

 At y = ± A , U is maximum because v = 0 at these
points ( no K )
 At y = 0, U = 0 ; K is maximum
 EXAMPLE 7.6 SOLUTION
Given : m = 3.0 kg
An object of mass 3.0 kg A = 5 cm = 0.05 m
executes linear SHM on a f = 10 Hz →
smooth horizontal surface at knowing : ω = 2πf
frequency 10 Hz & with
amplitude 5.0 cm. Neglect all 1
(a) E  k A2
resistance forces. Determine 2
(a) the energy of the system
1
(b) the potential & kinetic  m 2 A2
energy when the 2
displacement of the 1
object is 3.0 cm.  m(2 f ) 2 A2
2
1
 (3)[2( )(10)]2 (0.05) 2
2
 14.8 J
 EXAMPLE 7.6 SOLUTION

An object of mass 3.0 kg

(b ) U  1 m 2 y 2
executes linear SHM on a 2
1
smooth horizontal surface at  (3)(2 (10))2 (0.03) 2
2
frequency 10 Hz & with
 5.33 J
amplitude 5.0 cm. Neglect all
resistance forces. Determine (c ) E  U  K
(a) the energy of the system K  E U
(b) the potential & kinetic  14.8  5.33
energy when the
 9.47 J
displacement of the
object is 3.0 cm.
 EXAMPLE 7.7 SOLUTION
y (m) From the graph,
0.2 Amplitude, A  0.2 m
Period, T  4 s
0 t (s)
1 2 3 4 5 a. The angular frequency is given
 0.2
by 2 2
 
FIGURE 7.3 T 4

FIGURE 7.3 shows the
displacement of an oscillating object
  rad s 1

2
of mass 1.30 kg varying with time. b. The sum of the kinetic and
The energy of the oscillating object potential energies is
consists the kinetic and potential
1
energies. Calculate E  m A 2 2

a. the angular frequency of the 2

 
2

E  1.30   0.2 
1 2
oscillation,
b. the sum of this two energy.
2  2 
2
E  6.42 10 J
 EXAMPLE 7.8 SOLUTION
m  50.0 103 kg; k  35.0 N m 1; A  4.00 102 m
An object of mass 50.0 g is
connected to a spring with a a. By applying the equation of
force constant of 35.0 N m-1 the total energy in SHM, thus
oscillates on a horizontal 1 2
frictionless surface with an E  kA
2
 
amplitude of 4.00 cm. Determine
E  35.0  4.00  10  2
1 2
a. the total energy of the system,
2
b. the speed of the object when
the position is 1.00 cm, E  2.80  10 2 J
c. the kinetic and potential energy
when the position is 3.00 cm.
 EXAMPLE 7.8 SOLUTION
3 1 2
m  50.0 10 kg; k  35.0 N m ; A  4.00 10 m
An object of mass 50.0 g is
connected to a spring with a b. The speed of the object when x
force constant of 35.0 N m-1 = 1.00 x10-2 m
oscillates on a horizontal k
frictionless surface with an v  A  y
2 2
and 
amplitude of 4.00 cm. Determine m
a. the total energy of the system,
b. the speed of the object when
v
m

k 2 2
A y 
the position is 1.00 cm,
c. the kinetic and potential energy v
35.0 
3 
50.0 10 
2 2

4.00 10  1.00 10   
2 2 



when the position is 3.00 cm.
v  1.03 m s1
 EXAMPLE 7.8 SOLUTION
m  50.0 103 kg; k  35.0 N m 1; A  4.00 102 m
c. The kinetic energy of the object
An object of mass 50.0 g is
when x = 3.00 x10-2 m is
connected to a spring with a
force constant of 35.0 N m-1
oscillates on a horizontal
1 2 2 2
K  m A  y
2
  and k  m 2

frictionless surface with an

amplitude of 4.00 cm. Determine
1 2 2

K k A y
2

a. the total energy of the system,
b. the speed of the object when
1
2

K  35.0 4.00 10   3.00 10 
2 2 2 2

the position is 1.00 cm,
K  1.23 102 J
c. the kinetic and potential energy and the potential energy is
when the position is 3.00 cm.
1 2
U  ky
1
2

U  35.0 3.00 102 
2

2
U  1.58 102 J
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

1. A 0.5 kg cube connected to a light spring for which the force

constant is 20.0 N m-1 oscillates on a horizontal, frictionless track.
(a) Calculate the total energy of the system and the maximum
speed of the cube if the amplitude of the motion is 3.0 cm.
(b) Compute the kinetic & potential energies of the system when
displacement is 2.0 cm

 
x  6.0 sin 2 t  
 6


rad
3
Summary :
t y v a K U
amax
1 2
0 A 0  A 2 0
 max 2
kA

vmax
T 1
0  A 0 mA2 2 0
4 2
amax
T 1 2
 max A 0 A 2 0 2
kA
2
vmax
3T 1
0 A 0 mA2 2 0
4 2

amax 1 2
T A 0  A 2 0 kA
2
 max
A O A
7.3 PERIOD OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
At the end of this chapter students should be able to:

Use expression for period of SHM, T for simple pendulum

a and mass-spring system

Simple pendulum,
l
T  2
g
mass-spring system,
m
T  2
k

51
 SIMPLE PENDULUM

The component tangential to the circular

path, mg sin θ is the restoring force which
acted on the bob to bring it back to its
equilibrium position.
y
Fs  mg sin  x

Assume the angle θ is small ( θ°<10°)

x
sin    
l
Thus: x
Fs  mg ( )
l
where negative sign indicates the
direction of force which is always
opposite to the angular displacement 
 RESTORING FORCE
Applying Newton’s 2nd Law to the motion of the block:

F  ma
x
 mg ( )  m a
l g
a x
l
 ax
the pendulum exhibits SHM
Recall condition for any SHM:
2
a   2 x
l
 Period, T   2
 g

g
 angular frequency ,  
l
l : length of the string
g: acceleration due to gravity
EXAMPLE 7.9 SOLUTION
L  0.75 m;   8
The frequency of the simple
pendulum oscillation is
L
1 L
f  and T  2

8
A T g
m
1 g
A O A
f 
2 L
1 9.81
f 
2 0.75

f  0.576 Hz
 MASS-SPRING SYSTEM
Given by Hooke’s law

F  k x
Applying the Newton’s second law of
motion, 
F
F  ma
so
ma  kx
k
a x
m
which shows that a is proportional to x
and satisfy the condition for SHM, Restore to

a   x 2 equilibrium position
 MASS-SPRING SYSTEM
k
where  2

m
The period of the oscillation,

F
2 m
T  2
 k
Frequency,

1 1 k
f  
T 2 m Restore to
equilibrium position
 EXAMPLE 7.10 SOLUTION
The frequency of the spring is given
A mass m at the end of a spring by
vibrates with a frequency of 0.88 Hz.
When an additional mass of 1.25 kg is f1  0.88 Hz; f 2  0.48 Hz; Δm  1.25 kg
added to the mass m, the frequency is 1 m
0.48 Hz. Calculate the value of m. f1  and T1  2
T1 k
1 k
f1 
2 m
After the additional mass is added to
the m, the frequency of the spring
becomes

1 k
f2 
2 m  Δm
1 k
f1
 2 m
f2 1 k
2 m  Δm
 EXAMPLE 7.10 SOLUTION

A mass m at the end of a spring f1 m  Δm

vibrates with a frequency of 0.88 Hz. 
When an additional mass of 1.25 kg is f2 m
added to the mass m, the frequency is
0.88 m  1.25
0.48 Hz. Calculate the value of m. 
0.48 m
m  0.529 kg