Simple Harmonic Motion

In mechanics and physics, simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion or oscillation
motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement and acts in the
direction opposite to that of displacement.

Simple harmonic motion can serve as a mathematical model for a variety of motions, such as the
oscillation of a spring. In addition, other phenomena can be approximated by simple harmonic
motion, including the motion of a simple pendulum as well as molecular vibration. Simple
harmonic motion is typified by the motion of a mass on a spring when it is subject to the linear
elastic restoring force given by Hooke's Law. The motion is sinusoidal in time and demonstrates a
single resonant frequency. For simple harmonic motion to be an accurate model for a pendulum,
the net force on the object at the end of the pendulum must be proportional to the displacement.
This is a good approximation when the angle of the swing is small.

Simple harmonic motion provides a basis for the characterization of more complicated motions
through the techniques of Fourier analysis.
But, before proceeding to the next level, we need to clear a few important concepts.

Oscillation
When a body moves back and forth repeatedly about a mean position, its
motion is called oscillation or vibration.

Alternately

If the periodic motion of an object is such that during half of its time period
it staying in one direction and during rest half in the opposite direction then
that type of motion is called oscillation or vibration.
Periodic Motion
Periodic motion, in physics, motion repeated in equal intervals of time.
Periodic motion is performed.
For example: The earth in its orbit around the sun.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Simple harmonic motion, in physics, 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.
The time interval of each complete vibration is the same, and the force responsible for the motion
is always directed toward the equilibrium position and is directly proportional to the distance from
it.
 Fig: Spring moving back and forth under the action of external force

Many physical systems exhibit simple harmonic motion (assuming no energy loss): an oscillating
pendulum, the electrons in a wire carrying alternating current, the vibrating particles of the medium
in a sound wave, and other assemblages involving relatively small oscillations about a position of
stable equilibrium.

Hooke’s Law
Hooke’s law, law of elasticity discovered by the English scientist Robert Hooke in 1660

This law states that, for relatively small deformations of an object, the
displacement or size of the deformation is directly proportional to the
deforming force or load. Under these conditions the object returns to its
original shape and size upon removal of the load.
Mathematically, Hooke’s law states that the restoring force of the spring (F) is directly proportional
to the displacement or change in length , or . The value of k depends not only on the
kind of elastic material under consideration but also on its dimensions and shape.

Elastic behavior of solids according to Hooke’s law can be explained by the fact that small
displacements of their constituent molecules, atoms, or ions from normal positions is also
proportional to the force that causes the displacement.
Equilibrium Position
An equilibrium position is a point where an oscillating object experiences
zero (0) resultant forces.

Amplitude
Amplitude is the maximum displacement on both sides of an object from its
equilibrium position. The SI unit for amplitude is meter (m).
There are two types of amplitude (i) Linear amplitude denoted by (ii) Angular amplitude denoted
by .
Phase
The state of motion of a vibrating particle at any instant is called its phase
at that instant.
State of motion of a vibrating particle at any instant is determined by its displacement, velocity
and acceleration at that instant.

Graphical Analysis of the Position of a Particle with S.H.M.

Particle Executing Simple Harmonic Motion

✓ Displacement
Let angular velocity of the particle executing circular motion around a circle having radius A is
and when it is at point P makes an angle as shown in the diagram.

From the figure

Here, x is the displacement from the origin O. And OP = A is the radius of the circle. Equation
number (1) can be written as

We know that, angular displacement

So, the equation becomes

In another form

✓ Velocity
The rate of change of displacement is called velocity. It is denoted by . Mathematically, we can
write

From equation number (2)

And

From equation (3)

When (The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position) then (ii)
when then

✓ Acceleration
The rate of change of velocity is called acceleration. It is denoted by . Mathematically, we can
write
Differential Equation of Simple Harmonic Motion
Let a particle of mass be executing simple harmonic oscillations. The acceleration of the particle

at displacement from a fixed point will be . For the particle

This is the differential equation of a particle executing simple harmonic motion.

Solution of the Differential Equation of Simple Harmonic Motion

Differential equation of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is

In order to solve this equation, let us multiply both sides by , then

Integrating the above equation, we get

Here, C is a constant of integration. We need to find out the value of this.

Now, when

, then velocity

Putting this value in equation (1)

From equation (1)

Integrating the above equation

Finally,

This is the general solution of differential equation of simple harmonic oscillation.

Motion of a Vibrating Spring is Simple Harmonic

Let one end of an ideal spring fasten on a wall and on object of mass m be attached to the other
end. The object is able to move easily on a horizontal and frictionless surface.

F=-kx

F=-kx

F=-kx

Now by pulling the object, the spring is strained slightly. Then due to elastic property a restoring
force opposite to the applied force is developed in the spring.
For an increase of length of the spring the restoring force is
If the spring is released after pulling through a small distance, it will oscillate in simple harmonic

motion. Then the acceleration is

This equation is similar to the equation of simple harmonic motion. So, motion of a vibrating spring
is simple harmonic.

Particle Executing Simple Harmonic Motion

✓ Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy can be written as

Instantaneous velocity can be written as

From equation (1)

or

✓ Potential Energy
Now, the amount of work done for displacement x against the restoring force will remain stored as
potential energy in the object.
Stored potential energy for the such kind of harmonic oscillator can be written as

✓ Total Energy
Total Energy (E) = Kinetic energy (K.E) + Potential Energy (P.E)
Damping
An oscillation is damped when the amplitude and mechanical energy of a
system gradually decreases to zero as a result of dissipative forces. (air
resistance, friction, internal forces)

Amplitude and frequency will be reduced during damping.

Damped Oscillation
In actual practice, the oscillatory system experiences frictional or resistive
forces. Due to these reasons, the oscillations get damped. This is known as
damped oscillation.
In the case of a pendulum, the amplitude decreases due to the resistance offered by air. In the case
of LC circuit, the resistance of the circuit produces damping.
Progressive Wave
A wave which travels continuously in a medium in the same direction without a change in its
amplitude is called a travelling wave or a progressive wave.
In this section, we will derive a function that will describe the propagation of a wave in a medium
and gives the shape of the progressive wave at any instant of time during its propagation.
Let us consider the example of a progressive wave on a string. Here, we will describe the relation
of displacement of any element on the string as a function of time and the vibration of the elements
of the string along the length at a given instant of time.
Let y(x,t) be the displacement of an element at a position x and time t about the y-axis. Considering
the wave to be periodic and sinusoidal, the displacement of the element at a position x and time t
from the y-axis can be given as,
y (x, t ) = a sin (kx – ωt + φ ) …………………………………..(a)
We can write the above equation as a linear combination of sine and cosine functions as,
y (x, t) =A sin (kx – ωt ) + B cos (kx – ωt),…………(b)

The equations (a) and (b) represent the transverse wave moving along the X-axis, where y(x,t)
gives the displacement of the elements of the string at a position x at any time t. Hence, the shape
of the wave can be determined at any given time.
y(x, t) = a sin (kx + ωt + φ ),
The above equation represents a transverse wave moving along the negative direction of the X-
axis.

The parameters that describe a harmonic wave entirely are ‘a’, ‘φ’, ‘k’, and ‘ω’, where a is the
amplitude, φ is the initial phase change, k is the angular wavenumber, and ω is the angular
frequency. Let us now learn in detail what these quantities represent.
Consider the sinusoidal graph shown above. Here, the plot shows a wave travelling in the positive
X direction.
The point of maximum positive displacement is called a crest, and that of maximum negative
displacement is called a trough.