CHAPTER FOURTEEN

OSCILLATIONS

14.1 INTRODUCTION
In our daily life we come across various kinds of motions.
You have already learnt about some of them, e.g. rectilinear
14.1 Introduction motion and motion of a projectile. Both these motions are
14.2 Periodic and oscilatory non-repetitive. We have also learnt about uniform circular
motions motion and orbital motion of planets in the solar system. In
14.3 Simple harmonic motion these cases, the motion is repeated after a certain interval of
14.4 Simple harmonic motion time, that is, it is periodic. In your childhood you must have
and uniform circular enjoyed rocking in a cradle or swinging on a swing. Both
motion these motions are repetitive in nature but different from the
14.5 Velocity and acceleration periodic motion of a planet. Here, the object moves to and fro
in simple harmonic motion about a mean position. The pendulum of a wall clock executes
14.6 Force law for simple a similar motion. There are leaves and branches of a tree
harmonic motion
oscillating in breeze, boats bobbing at anchor and the surging
14.7 Energy in simple harmonic
pistons in the engines of cars. All these objects execute a
motion
periodic to and fro motion. Such a motion is termed as
14.8 Some systems executing
SHM
oscillatory motion. In this chapter we study this motion.
14.9 Damped simple harmonic The study of oscillatory motion is basic to physics; its
motion concepts are required for the understanding of many physical
14.10 Forced oscillations and phenomena. In musical instruments like the sitar, the guitar
resonance or the violin, we come across vibrating strings that produce
pleasing sounds. The membranes in drums and diaphragms
Summary
in telephone and speaker systems vibrate to and fro about
Points to ponder
their mean positions. The vibrations of air molecules make
Exercises
Additional Exercises the propagation of sound possible. Similarly, the atoms in a
Appendix solid oscillate about their mean positions and convey the
sensation of temperature. The oscillations of electrons in the
antennas of radio, TV and satellite transmitters convey
information.
The description of a periodic motion in general, and
oscillatory motion in particular, requires some fundamental
concepts like period, frequency, displacement, amplitude and
phase. These concepts are developed in the next section.
OSCILLATIONS 337

14.2 PERIODIC AND OSCILLATORY MOTIONS Very often the body undergoing periodic
Fig 14.1 shows some periodic motions. Suppose motion has an equilibrium position somewhere
an insect climbs up a ramp and falls down it inside its path. When the body is at this position
comes back to the initial point and repeats the no net external force acts on it. Therefore, if it is
left there at rest, it remains there forever. If the
process identically. If you draw a graph of its
body is given a small displacement from the
height above the ground versus time, it would
position, a force comes into play which tries to
look something like Fig. 14.1 (a). If a child climbs
bring the body back to the equilibrium point,
up a step, comes down, and repeats the process,
giving rise to oscillations or vibrations. For
its height above the ground would look like that
example, a ball placed in a bowl will be in
in Fig 14.1 (b). When you play the game of
equilibrium at the bottom. If displaced a little
bouncing a ball off the ground, between your
from the point, it will perform oscillations in the
palm and the ground, its height versus time
bowl. Every oscillatory motion is periodic, but
graph would look like the one in Fig 14.1 (c).
every periodic motion need not be oscillatory.
Note that both the curved parts in Fig 14.1 (c)
Circular motion is a periodic motion, but it is
are sections of a parabola given by the Newton’s not oscillatory.
equation of motion (see section 3.6), There is no significant difference between
1 2 oscillations and vibrations. It seems that when
h = ut + gt for downward motion, and
the frequency is small, we call it oscillation (like
2
the oscillation of a branch of a tree), while when
1 2 the frequency is high, we call it vibration (like
h = ut – gt for upward motion,
2 the vibration of a string of a musical instrument).
with different values of u in each case. These Simple harmonic motion is the simplest form
are examples of periodic motion. Thus, a motion of oscillatory motion. This motion arises when
that repeats itself at regular intervals of time is the force on the oscillating body is directly
called periodic motion. proportional to its displacement from the mean
position, which is also the equilibrium position.
Further, at any point in its oscillation, this force
is directed towards the mean position.
In practice, oscillating bodies eventually
come to rest at their equilibrium positions,
because of the damping due to friction and other
dissipative causes. However, they can be forced
to remain oscillating by means of some external
periodic agency. We discuss the phenomena of
damped and forced oscillations later in the
chapter.
Any material medium can be pictured as a
collection of a large number of coupled
oscillators. The collective oscillations of the
constituents of a medium manifest themselves
as waves. Examples of waves include water
waves, seismic waves, electromagnetic waves.
We shall study the wave phenomenon in the next
chapter.
14.2.1 Period and frequency
We have seen that any motion that repeats itself
at regular intervals of time is called periodic
motion. The smallest interval of time after
which the motion is repeated is called its
Fig 14.1 Examples of periodic motion. The period T is period. Let us denote the period by the symbol
shown in each case. T. Its SI unit is second. For periodic motions,
338 PHYSICS

which are either too fast or too slow on the scale this chapter, we use the term displacement
of seconds, other convenient units of time are in a more general sense. It refers to change
used. The period of vibrations of a quartz crystal with time of any physical property under
is expressed in units of microseconds (10–6 s) consideration. For example, in case of rectilinear
abbreviated as μs. On the other hand, the orbital motion of a steel ball on a surface, the distance
period of the planet Mercury is 88 earth days. from the starting point as a function of time is
The Halley’s comet appears after every 76 years. its position displacement. The choice of origin
The reciprocal of T gives the number of is a matter of convenience. Consider a block
repetitions that occur per unit time. This attached to a spring, the other end of which is
quantity is called the frequency of the periodic fixed to a rigid wall [see Fig.14.2(a)]. Generally it
motion. It is represented by the symbol ν . The is convenient to measure displacement of the
relation between v and T is body from its equilibrium position. For an
v = 1/T (14.1) oscillating simple pendulum, the angle from the
vertical as a function of time may be regarded
The unit of ν is thus s–1. After the discoverer of as a displacement variable [see Fig.14.2(b)]. The
radio waves, Heinrich Rudolph Hertz (1857-1894), term displacement is not always to be referred
a special name has been given to the unit of
frequency. It is called hertz (abbreviated as Hz).
Thus,
1 hertz = 1 Hz =1 oscillation per second =1s–1
(14.2)
Note, that the frequency, ν , is not necessarily
an integer.
Example 14.1 On an average a human
heart is found to beat 75 times in a minute.
Calculate its frequency and period.

Answer The beat frequency of heart = 75/(1 min) Fig.14.2(b) An oscillating simple pendulum; its
= 75/(60 s) motion can be described in terms of
= 1.25 s–1 angular displacement θ from the vertical.
= 1.25 Hz
The time period T = 1/(1.25 s–1) in the context of position only. There can be
= 0.8 s many other kinds of displacement variables. The
14.2.2 Displacement voltage across a capacitor, changing with time
In section 4.2, we defined displacement of a in an a.c. circuit, is also a displacement
particle as the change in its position vector. In variable. In the same way, pressure variations
in time in the propagation of sound wave, the
changing electric and magnetic fields in a light
wave are examples of displacement in different
contexts. The displacement variable may take
both positive and negative values. In
experiments on oscillations, the displacement
is measured for different times.
The displacement can be represented by a
mathematical function of time. In case of periodic
motion, this function is periodic in time. One of
Fig. 14.2(a) A block attached to a spring, the other
end of which is fixed to a rigid wall. The the simplest periodic functions is given by
block moves on a frictionless surface. The f (t) = A cos ωt (14.3a)
motion of the block can be described in
If the argument of this function, ωt, is
terms of its distance or displacement x
from the wall.
increased by an integral multiple of 2π radians,
OSCILLATIONS 339

the value of the function remains the same. The

function f (t ) is then periodic and its period, T,
= 2 sin [ω (t + 2π/ω) + π/4]
is given by The periodic time of the function is 2π/ω.
2π (ii) This is an example of a periodic motion. It
T= (14.3b)
ω can be noted that each term represents a
Thus, the function f (t) is periodic with period T, periodic function with a different angular
frequency. Since period is the least interval
f (t) = f (t+T ) of time after which a function repeats its
The same result is obviously correct if we value, sin ωt has a period T 0= 2π/ω ; cos 2 ωt
consider a sine function, f (t ) = A sin ωt. Further, has a period π/ω =T0/2; and sin 4 ωt has a
a linear combination of sine and cosine functions period 2π/4ω = T0/4. The period of the first
like, term is a multiple of the periods of the last
f (t) = A sin ωt + B cos ωt (14.3c) two terms. Therefore, the smallest interval
is also a periodic function with the same period of time after which the sum of the three
T. Taking, terms repeats is T0, and thus the sum is a
periodic function with a period 2π/ω.
A = D cos φ and B = D sin φ
(iii) The function e – ωt is not periodic, it
Eq. (14.3c) can be written as, decreases monotonically with increasing
f (t) = D sin (ωt + φ ) , (14.3d) time and tends to zero as t →∞ and thus,
never repeats its value.
Here D and φ are constant given by
(iv) The function log( ωt) increases mono-
B tonically with time t. It, therefore, never
D = A 2 + B 2 and tan–1 repeats its value and is a non-periodic
A
function. It may be noted that as t → ∞,
The great importance of periodic sine and log(ωt) diverges to ∞. It, therefore, cannot
cosine functions is due to a remarkable result represent any kind of physical
proved by the French mathematician, Jean displacement.
Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830): Any 14.3 SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
periodic function can be expressed as a
superposition of sine and cosine functions Let us consider a particle vibrating back and
of different time periods with suitable forth about the origin of an x-axis between the
coefficients. limits +A and –A as shown in Fig. 14.3. In
between these extreme positions the particle
Example 14.2 Which of the following
functions of time represent (a) periodic and
(b) non-periodic motion? Give the period for
each case of periodic motion [ω is any
positive constant].
(i) sin ωt + cos ωt Fig. 14.3 A particle vibrating back and forth about
(ii) sin ωt + cos 2 ωt + sin 4 ωt the origin of x-axis, between the limits
(iii) e – ωt +A and –A.
(iv) log (ωt) moves in such a manner that its speed is
maximum when it is at the origin and zero
Answer when it is at ± A. The time t is chosen to be
(i) sin ωt + cos ωt is a periodic function, it can zero when the particle is at +A and it returns
to +A at t = T. In this section we will describe
also be written as 2 sin (ωt + π/4). this motion. Later, we shall discuss how to
achieve it. To study the motion of this particle,
Now 2 sin (ωt + π/4)= 2 sin (ωt + π/4+2π) we record its positions as a function of time
340 PHYSICS

by taking ‘snapshots’ at regular intervals of Phase

{
time. A set of such snapshots is shown in Fig. x(t) = A cos (ω t + φ)
14.4. The position of the particle with reference ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
to the origin gives its displacement at any Displacement Amplitude Angular Phase
instant of time. For such a motion the frequency constant
displacement x(t ) of the particle from a certain Fig. 14.6 A reference of the quantities in Eq. (14.4).
chosen origin is found to vary with time as,
The motion represented by Eq. (14.4) is
called simple harmonic motion (SHM); a term
that means the periodic motion is a sinusoidal
function of time. Equation (14.4), in which the
sinusoidal function is a cosine function, is
plotted in Fig. 14.5. The quantities that determine

Fig. 14.7 (a) A plot of displacement as a function of

Fig. 14.4 A sequence of ‘snapshots’ (taken at equal time as obtained from Eq. (14.4) with
intervals of time) showing the position of a φ = 0. The curves 1 and 2 are for two
particle as it oscillates back and forth about different amplitudes A and B.
the origin along an x-axis, between the
the shape of the graph are displayed in Fig. 14.6
limits +A and –A. The length of the vector
arrows is scaled to indicate the speed of
along with their names.
the particle. The speed is maximum when We shall now define these quantities.
the particle is at the origin and zero when
The quantity A is called the amplitude of the
it is at ± A. If the time t is chosen to be
zero when the particle is at +A, then the
motion. It is a positive constant which represents
particle returns to +A at t = T, where T is the magnitude of the maximum displacement of
the period of the motion. The motion is then the particle in either direction. The cosine function
repeated. It is represented by Eq. (14.4) in Eq. (14.4) varies between the limits ±1, so the
for φ = 0. displacement x(t) varies between the limits ± A. In
Fig. 14.7 (a), the curves 1 and 2 are plots of Eq.
(14.4) for two different amplitudes A and B. The
difference between these curves illustrates the
significance of amplitude.
The time varying quantity, (ωt + φ ), in Eq. (14.4)
is called the phase of the motion. It describes the
state of motion at a given time. The constant φ is
called the phase constant (or phase angle). The
value of φ depends on the displacement and velocity
of the particle at t = 0. This can be understood
better by considering Fig. 14.7(b). In this figure,
the curves 3 and 4 represent plots of Eq. (14.4) for
Fig. 14.5 A graph of x as a function of time for the
two values of the phase constant φ.
motion represented by Eq. (14.4).
It can be seen that the phase constant
signifies the initial conditions.
x (t) = A cos (ωt + φ) (14.4)
The constant ω, called the angular frequency
in which A, ω, and φ are constants. of the motion, is related to the period T. To get
OSCILLATIONS 341

We have had an introduction to simple

harmonic motion. In the next section we will
discuss the simplest example of simple harmonic
motion. It will be shown that the projection of
uniform circular motion on a diameter of the
circle executes simple harmonic motion.

Example 14.3 Which of the following

Fig. 14.7 (b) A plot obtained from Eq. 14.4. The curves functions of time represent (a) simple
3 and 4 are for φ = 0 and - π /4 harmonic motion and (b) periodic but not
respectively. The amplitude A is same for simple harmonic? Give the period for each
both the plots. case.
their relationship, let us consider Eq. (14.4) with (1) sin ωt – cos ωt
φ = 0; it then reduces to, (2) sin2 ωt
x(t ) = A cos ωt (14.5) Answer
(a) sin ωt – cos ωt
Now since the motion is periodic with a period
T, the displacement x (t ) must return to its initial = sin ωt – sin (π/2 – ωt)
value after one period of the motion; that is, x (t) = 2 cos (π/4) sin (ωt – π/4)
must be equal to x (t + T ) for all t. Applying this = √2 sin (ωt – π/4)
condition to Eq. (14.5) leads to, This function represents a simple harmonic
motion having a period T = 2π/ω and a
A cos ωt = A cos ω(t + T ) (14.6) phase angle (–π/4) or (7π/4)
As the cosine function first repeats itself when (b) sin2 ωt
its argument (the phase) has increased by 2π, = ½ – ½ cos 2 ωt
Eq. (14.6) gives, The function is periodic having a period
T = π/ω. It also represents a harmonic
ω(t + T ) = ωt + 2π motion with the point of equilibrium
occurring at ½ instead of zero.
or ωT = 2π
14.4 SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION AND
Thus, the angular frequency is, UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION
ω = 2π/ T (14.7) In 1610, Galileo discovered four principal moons
of the planet Jupiter. To him, each moon seemed
The SI unit of angular frequency is radians
to move back and forth relative to the planet in
per second. To illustrate the significance of
a simple harmonic motion; the disc of the planet
period T, sinusoidal functions with two different
forming the mid point of the motion. The record
periods are plotted in Fig. 14.8.
of his observations, written in his own hand, is
still available. Based on his data, the position
of the moon Callisto relative to Jupiter is plotted
in Fig. 14.9. In this figure, the circles represent
Galileo’s data points and the curve drawn is a
best fit to the data. The curve obeys Eq. (14.4),
which is the displacement function for SHM. It
gives a period of about 16.8 days.
It is now well known that Callisto moves with
essentially a constant speed in an almost
circular orbit around Jupiter. Its true motion is
Fig. 14.8 Plots of Eq. (14.4) for φ = 0 for two different uniform circular motion. What Galileo saw and
periods. what we can also see, with a good pair of
In this plot the SHM represented by curve a, binoculars, is the projection of this uniform
has a period T and that represented by curve b, circular motion on a line in the plane of motion.
/
has a period T =T/2. This can easily be visualised by performing a
342 PHYSICS

is ωt + φ, where φ is its angular position at

t = 0. The projection of particle P on the x-axis is
a point P′ , which we can take as a second
particle. The projection of the position vector of
particle P on the x-axis gives the location x(t) of
P′ . Thus we have,
x(t ) = A cos (ωt + φ )
which is the same as Eq. (14.4). This shows
that if the reference particle P moves in a
uniform circular motion, its projection particle
Fig. 14.9 The angle between Jupiter and its moon P′ executes a simple harmonic motion along a
Callisto as seen from earth. The circles are
based on Galileo’s measurements of 1610. The diameter of the circle.
curve is a best fit suggesting a simple harmonic From Galileo’s observation and the above
motion.At Jupiter’s mean distance,10 minutes considerations, we are led to the conclusion
of arc corresponds to about 2 ×106 km. that circular motion viewed edge-on is simple
harmonic motion. In a more formal language
simple experiment. Tie a ball to the end of a we can say that : Simple harmonic motion
string and make it move in a horizontal plane is the projection of uniform circular motion
about a fixed point with a constant angular on a diameter of the circle in which the
speed. The ball would then perform a uniform latter motion takes place.
circular motion in the horizontal plane. Observe
the ball sideways or from the front, fixing your Example 14.4 Fig. 14.11 depicts two
attention in the plane of motion. The ball will circular motions. The radius of the circle,
appear to execute to and fro motion along a the period of revolution, the initial position
horizontal line with the point of rotation as the and the sense of revolution are indicated
midpoint. You could alternatively observe the on the figures. Obtain the simple harmonic
shadow of the ball on a wall which is motions of the x-projection of the radius
perpendicular to the plane of the circle. In this vector of the rotating particle P in each
process what we are observing is the motion of case.
the ball on a diameter of the circle normal to
the direction of viewing. This experiment
provides an analogy to Galileo’s observation.
In Fig. 14.10, we show the motion of a
reference particle P executing a uniform circular
motion with (constant) angular speed ω in a
reference circle. The radius A of the circle is
the magnitude of the particle’s position vector.
At any time t, the angular position of the particle
Fig. 14.11

Answer
(a) At t = 0, OP makes an angle of 45o = π/4 rad
with the (positive direction of ) x-axis. After

time t, it covers an angle 2πt in the

T
anticlockwise sense, and makes an angle

Fig. 14.10 The motion of a reference particle P of 2πt + π with the x-axis.
executing a uniform circular motion with T 4
(constant) angular speed ω in a reference The projection of OP on the x-axis at time t
circle of radius A. is given by,
OSCILLATIONS 343

14.5 VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION IN

x (t) = A cos ( 2 t + ) SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
T 4
For T = 4 s, It can be seen easily that the magnitude of
velocity, v, with which the reference particle P
2 (Fig. 14.10) is moving in a circle is related to its
x(t) = A cos t+
4 4 angular speed, ω, as

which is a SHM of amplitude A, period 4 s, v = ωA (14.8)

where A is the radius of the circle described by
and an initial phase* = . the particle P. The magnitude of the velocity
4
vector v of the projection particle is ω A ; its
(b) In this case at t = 0, OP makes an angle of projection on the x-axis at any time t, as shown
in Fig. 14.12, is
90o = with the x-axis. After a time t, it v(t ) = –ωA sin (ωt + φ ) (14.9)
2

covers an angle of 2 t in the clockwise

T
2
sense and makes an angle of – t
2 T
with the x-axis. The projection of OP on the
x-axis at time t is given by

2
x(t) = B cos – t
2 T

Fig. 14.12 The velocity, v (t), of the particle P′ is the

= B sin ( 2 t ) projection of the velocity v of the reference
T particle, P.
For T = 30 s, The negative sign appears because the
velocity component of P is directed towards the
left, in the negative direction of x. Equation (14.9)
x(t) = B sin t expresses the instantaneous velocity of the
15 particle P′ (projection of P). Therefore, it
expresses the instantaneous velocity of a
Writing this as x (t ) = B cos t – , and particle executing SHM. Equation (14.9) can
15 2
also be obtained by differentiating Eq. (14.4) with
comparing with Eq. (14.4). We find that this
respect to time as,
represents a SHM of amplitude B, period 30 s,
d (14.10)
v(t) = x (t )
and an initial phase of . dt
2

* The natural unit of angle is radian, defined through the ratio of arc to radius. Angle is a dimensionless
quantity. Therefore it is not always necessary to mention the unit ‘radian’ when we use π, its multiples
or submultiples. The conversion between radian and degree is not similar to that between metre and
centimetre or mile. If the argument of a trigonometric function is stated without units, it is understood
that the unit is radian. On the other hand, if degree is to be used as the unit of angle, then it must be
shown explicitly. For example, sin(150) means sine of 15 degree, but sin(15) means sine of 15 radians.
Hereafter, we will often drop ‘rad’ as the unit, and it should be understood that whenever angle is
mentioned as a numerical value, without units, it is to be taken as radians.
344 PHYSICS

Fig. 14.13 The acceleration, a(t), of the particle P′ is

the projection of the acceleration a of the
reference particle P.

We have seen that a particle executing a

uniform circular motion is subjected to a radial
acceleration a directed towards the centre.
Figure 14.13 shows such a radial acceleration, a, Fig. 14.14 The particle displacement, velocity and
of the reference particle P executing uniform acceleration in a simple harmonic motion.
(a) The displacement x (t) of a particle
circular motion. The magnitude of the radial
executing SHM with phase angle φ equal
acceleration of P is ω2A. Its projection on the
to zero. (b) The velocity v (t) of the particle.
x-axis at any time t is, (c) The acceleration a (t) of the particle.
a (t) = –ω2A cos (ωt + φ)
oscillating particle varies between the limits
= –ω2x (t) (14.11) ± vm = ± ωA. Note that the curve of v(t) is shifted
which is the acceleration of the particle P′ (the (to the left) from the curve of x(t) by one quarter
projection of particle P). Equation (14.11), period and thus the particle velocity lags behind
the displacement by a phase angle of π/2; when
therefore, represents the instantaneous
the magnitude of displacement is the greatest,
acceleration of the particle P′ , which is executing
the magnitude of the velocity is the least. When
SHM. Thus Eq. (14.11) expresses the the magnitude of displacement is the least, the
acceleration of a particle executing SHM. It velocity is the greatest. Figure14.14(c) depicts
is an important result for SHM. It shows that in the variation of the particle acceleration a(t). It
SHM, the acceleration is proportional to the is seen that when the displacement has its
displacement and is always directed towards greatest positive value, the acceleration has its
the mean position. Eq. (14.11) can also be greatest negative value and vice versa. When
obtained by differentiating Eq. (14.9) with respect the displacement is zero, the acceleration is also
to time as, zero.
Example 14.5 A body oscillates with SHM
d (14.12)
a (t ) = v(t ) according to the equation (in SI units),
dt
x = 5 cos [2π t + π/4].
The inter -relationship between the
displacement of a particle executing simple At t = 1.5 s, calculate the (a) displacement,
harmonic motion, its velocity and acceleration can (b) speed and (c) acceleration of the body.
be seen in Fig. 14.14. In this figure (a) is a plot of
Eq. (14.4) with φ = 0 and (b) depicts Eq. (14.9) Answer The angular frequency ω of the body
also with φ = 0. Similar to the amplitude A in = 2π s–1 and its time period T = 1 s.
Eq. (14.4), the positive quantity ω A in Eq. (14.9) At t = 1.5 s
is called the velocity amplitude vm. In Fig. (a) displacement = (5.0 m) cos [(2π s –1) ×
14.14(b), it can be seen that the velocity of the 1.5 s + π/4]
OSCILLATIONS 345

= (5.0 m) cos [(3π + π/4)] Since the force F is proportional to x rather

= –5.0 × 0.707 m than to some other power of x, such a system is
= –3.535 m also referred to as a linear harmonic oscillator.
(b) Using Eq. (14.9), the speed of the body Systems in which the restoring force is a non-
= – (5.0 m)(2π s –1) sin [(2π s –1) ×1.5 s linear function of x are termed as non-linear
+ π/4] harmonic or anharmonic oscillators.
= – (5.0 m)(2π s–1) sin [(3π + π/4)]
= 10 π × 0.707 m s–1 Example 14.6 Two identical springs of
= 22 m s–1 spring constant k are attached to a block
of mass m and to fixed supports as shown
(c) Using Eq.(14.10), the acceleration of the
in Fig. 14.15. Show that when the mass is
body
displaced from its equilibrium position on
= –(2π s–1)2 × displacement
either side, it executes a simple harmonic
= – (2π s–1)2 × (–3.535 m)
motion. Find the period of oscillations.
= 140 m s–2
14.6 FORCE LAW FOR SIMPLE HARMONIC
MOTION
In Section14.3, we described the simple
harmonic motion. Now we discuss how it can
be generated. Newton’s second law of motion
relates the force acting on a system and the
corresponding acceleration produced. Therefore, Fig. 14.15
if we know how the acceleration of a particle
varies with time, this law can be used to learn Answer Let the mass be displaced by a small
about the force, which must act on the particle distance x to the right side of the equilibrium
to give it that acceleration. If we combine position, as shown in Fig. 14.16. Under this
Newton’s second law and Eq. (14.11), we find situation the spring on the left side gets
that for simple harmonic motion,
F (t ) = ma
= –mω2 x (t )
or F (t ) = –k x (t ) (14.13)
where k = mω2 (14.14a)
or

k
ω = (14.14b) Fig. 14.16
m
Equation (14.13) gives the force acting on the elongated by a length equal to x and that on
particle. It is proportional to the displacement the right side gets compressed by the same
and directed in an opposite direction. Therefore, length. The forces acting on the mass are
it is a restoring force. Note that unlike the then,
centripetal force for uniform circular motion that
is constant in magnitude, the restoring force for F1 = –k x (force exerted by the spring on
SHM is time dependent. The force law expressed the left side, trying to pull the
by Eq. (14.13) can be taken as an alternative mass towards the mean
definition of simple harmonic motion. It states : position)
Simple harmonic motion is the motion
F2 = –k x (force exerted by the spring on
executed by a particle subject to a force, which
is proportional to the displacement of the the right side, trying to push the
particle and is directed towards the mean mass towards the mean
position. position)
346 PHYSICS

The net force, F, acting on the mass is then

given by, 1
U(x) = k x2
F = –2kx 2

Hence the force acting on the mass is

proportional to the displacement and is directed 1
= k A 2 cos2 (ωt + φ ) (14.17)
towards the mean position; therefore, the motion 2
executed by the mass is simple harmonic. The
Thus the potential energy of a particle
time period of oscillations is,
executing simple harmonic motion is also
m periodic, with period T/2, being zero at the mean
T = 2π position and maximum at the extreme
2k
displacements.
It follows from Eqs. (14.15) and (14.17) that
14.7 ENERGY IN SIMPLE HARMONIC the total energy, E, of the system is,
MOTION
E =U+K
A particle executing simple harmonic motion
has kinetic and potential energies, both varying
between the limits, zero and maximum. 1 1
= k A 2 cos2 (ωt + φ ) + k A 2 sin2 (ωt + φ )
In section14.5 we have seen that the velocity 2 2
of a particle executing SHM, is a periodic
function of time. It is zero at the extreme positions
1
of displacement. Therefore, the kinetic energy (K) = k A 2 ⎡⎣cos2 (ωt + φ ) + sin 2 (ωt + φ )⎤⎦
of such a particle, which is defined as 2

1 The quantity within the square brackets

K= mv 2 above is unity and we have,
2

1
= m ω 2 A 2 sin 2 (ωt + φ ) E=
1
k A2
2 (14.18)
2
1 The total mechanical energy of a harmonic
= k A 2 sin2 (ωt + φ ) (14.15)
2 oscillator is thus independent of time as expected
is also a periodic function of time, being zero for motion under any conservative force. The
when the displacement is maximum and time and displacement dependence of the
maximum when the particle is at the mean potential and kinetic energies of a linear simple
position. Note, since the sign of v is immaterial harmonic oscillator are shown in
in K, the period of K is T/2. Fig. 14.17.
What is the potential energy (PE) of a particle It is observed that in a linear harmonic
executing simple harmonic motion ? In oscillator, all energies are positive and peak
Chapter 6, we have seen that the concept of twice during every period. For x = 0, the energy
potential energy is possible only for conservative is all kinetic and for x = ± A it is all potential.
forces. The spring force F = –kx is a conservative In between these extreme positions, the
force, with associated potential energy potential energy increases at the expense of
kinetic energy. This behaviour of a linear
1 harmonic oscillator suggests that it possesses
U= k x2 14.16)
2 an element of springiness and an element of
Hence the potential energy of a particle inertia. The former stores its potential energy
executing simple harmonic motion is, and the latter stores its kinetic energy.
OSCILLATIONS 347

Its displacement at any time t is then given by,

x(t) = 0.1 cos (7.07t)
Therefore, when the particle is 5 cm away from
the mean position, we have
0.05 = 0.1 cos (7.07t)

Or cos (7.07t) = 0.5 and hence

3
sin (7.07t) = = 0.866,
2
Then the velocity of the block at x = 5 cm is
= 0.1 × 7.07 × 0.866 m s–1
= 0.61 m s–1
Hence the K.E. of the block,
1
= m v2
2
Fig. 14.17 (a) Potential energy U(t), kinetic energy K(t)
and the total energy E as functions of time = ½[1kg × (0.6123 m s–1 )2 ]
t for a linear harmonic oscillator. All = 0.19 J
energies are positive and the potential and
kinetic energies peak twice in every The P.E. of the block,
period of the oscillator. (b) Potential energy
U(x), kinetic energy K(x) and the total 1
= k x2
energy E as functions of position x for a 2
linear harmonic oscillator with amplitude
A. For x = 0, the energy is all kinetic and = ½(50 N m–1 × 0.05 m × 0.05 m)
for x = ± A it is all potential. = 0.0625 J
The total energy of the block at x = 5 cm,
Example 14.7 A block whose mass is 1 kg = K.E. + P.E.
is fastened to a spring. The spring has a = 0.25 J
spring constant of 50 N m–1. The block is we also know that at maximum displacement,
pulled to a distance x = 10 cm from its K.E. is zero and hence the total energy of the
equilibrium position at x = 0 on a frictionless system is equal to the P.E. Therefore, the total
surface from rest at t = 0. Calculate the energy of the system,
kinetic, potential and total energies of the
block when it is 5 cm away from the mean = ½(50 N m–1 × 0.1 m × 0.1 m )
position. = 0.25 J
which is same as the sum of the two energies at
a displacement of 5 cm. This is in conformity
Answer The block executes SHM, its angular with the principle of conservation of energy.
frequency, as given by Eq. (14.14b), is
14.8 SOME SYSTEMS EXECUTING SIMPLE
HARMONIC MOTION
k
ω = There are no physical examples of absolutely
m pure simple harmonic motion. In practice we
come across systems that execute simple
–1
50 N m harmonic motion approximately under certain
=
conditions. In the subsequent part of this
1kg
section, we discuss the motion executed by some
= 7.07 rad s–1 such systems.
348 PHYSICS

and the period, T, of the oscillator is given by,

m (14.21)
T =2
k
Equations (14.20) and (14.21) tell us that a
large angular frequency and hence a small
period is associated with a stiff spring (high k)
and a light block (small m ).

Fig. 14.18 A linear simple harmonic oscillator Example 14.8 A 5 kg collar is attached
consisting of a block of mass m attached to a spring of spring constant 500 N m–1. It
to a spring. The block moves over a
slides without friction over a horizontal rod.
frictionless surface. Once pulled to the side
and released, it executes simple harmonic
The collar is displaced from its equilibrium
motion. position by 10.0 cm and released. Calculate
(a) the period of oscillation,
14.8.1 Oscillations due to a Spring (b) the maximum speed and
The simplest observable example of simple (c) maximum acceleration of the collar.
harmonic motion is the small oscillations of a
block of mass m fixed to a spring, which in turn Answer (a) The period of oscillation as given by
is fixed to a rigid wall as shown in Fig. 14.18. Eq. (14.21) is,
The block is placed on a frictionless horizontal
surface. If the block is pulled on one side and is m
released, it then executes a to and fro motion T =2
k
about a mean position. Let x = 0, indicate the
position of the centre of the block when the 5.0 kg
spring is in equilibrium. The positions marked = 2π
500 N m −1
as –A and +A indicate the maximum
displacements to the left and the right of the = (2π/10) s
mean position. We have already learnt that = 0.63 s
springs have special properties, which were first (b) The velocity of the collar executing SHM is
discovered by the English physicist Robert given by,
Hooke. He had shown that such a system when v(t) = –Aω sin (ωt + φ)
deformed, is subject to a restoring force, the The maximum speed is given by,
magnitude of which is proportional to the vm = Aω
deformation or the displacement and acts in
opposite direction. This is known as Hooke’s k
= 0.1 ×
law (Chapter 9). It holds good for displacements m
small in comparison to the length of the spring.
At any time t, if the displacement of the block
from its mean position is x, the restoring force F 500 N m –1
= 0.1 ×
acting on the block is, 5 kg
F (x) = –k x (14.19) = 1 m s–1
The constant of proportionality, k, is called and it occurs at x = 0
the spring constant, its value is governed by the (c) The acceleration of the collar at the
elastic properties of the spring. A stiff spring has displacement x (t) from the equilibrium is
large k and a soft spring has small k. Equation given by,
(14.19) is same as the force law for SHM and a (t) = –ω2 x(t)
therefore the system executes a simple harmonic k
motion. From Eq. (14.14) we have, =– x(t)
m
k Therefore the maximum acceleration is,
ω= (14.20)
m amax = ω2 A
OSCILLATIONS 349

–1
500 N m
= x 0.1 m
5 kg
= 10 m s–2
and it occurs at the extremities.

14.8.2 The Simple Pendulum

It is said that Galileo measured the periods of a
swinging chandelier in a church by his pulse
beats. He observed that the motion of the
chandelier was periodic. The system is a kind (b)
of pendulum. You can also make your own Fig. 14.19 (a) A simple pendulum. (b) The forces
pendulum by tying a piece of stone to a long acting on the bob are the force due to
unstretchable thread, approximately 100 cm gravity, Fg (= m g), and the tension T in
long. Suspend your pendulum from a suitable the string. (b) The tangential component
support so that it is free to oscillate. Displace Fg of the gravitational force is a restoring
the stone to one side by a small distance and force that tends to bring the pendulum
let it go. The stone executes a to and fro motion, back to the central position.
it is periodic with a period of about two seconds. torque always acts opposite to the displacement
Is this motion simple harmonic ? To answer this of the bob so as to bring it back towards its
question, we consider a simple pendulum, central location. The central location is called
which consists of a particle of mass m (called the equilibrium position (θ = 0), because at
the bob of the pendulum) suspended from one this position the pendulum would be at rest if it
end of an unstretchable, massless string of were not swinging.
length L fixed at the other end as shown in The restoring torque τ is given by,
Fig. 14.19(a). The bob is free to swing to and fro τ = –L (Fg sinθ ) (14.22)
in the plane of the page, to the left and right of a
vertical line through the pivot point. where the negative sign indicates that the torque
The forces acting on the bob are the force T, acts to reduce θ , and L is the length of the
tension in the string and the gravitational force moment arm of the force Fg sin θ about the pivot
Fg (= m g), as shown in Fig. 14.19(b). The string point. For rotational motion we have,
makes an angle θ with the vertical. We resolve τ = Iα (14.23)
the force Fg into a radial component Fg cos θ where I is the pendulum’s rotational inertia
and a tangential component Fg sin θ . The radial
about the pivot point and α is its angular
component is cancelled by the tension, since
acceleration about that point. From Eqs. (14.22)
there is no motion along the length of the string.
and (14.23) we have,
The tangential component produces a restoring
torque about the pendulum’s pivot point. This –L (Fg sin θ ) = I α (14.24)
Substituting the magnitude of Fg, i.e. mg, we have,
–L m g sin θ = I α
Or,
mgL
α = sin (14.25)
I
We can simplify Eq. (14.25) if we assume that
the displacement θ is small. We know that sin θ
can be expressed as,

sin ± ... (14.26)

3! 5!
(a) where θ is in radians.
350 PHYSICS

Now if θ is small, sin θ can be approximated

by θ and Eq. (14.25) can then be written as, SHM - how small should the amplitude be?
When you perform the experiment to
mgL
α = − θ (14.27)
determine the time period of a simple
I pendulum, your teacher tells you to keep
the amplitude small. But have you ever
In Table 14.1, we have listed the angle θ in
asked how small is small? Should the
degrees, its equivalent in radians, and the value
amplitude to 50, 20, 10, or 0.50? Or could it
of the function sin θ . From this table it can be
be 100, 200, or 300?
seen that for θ as large as 20 degrees, sin θ is
To appreciate this, it would be better to
nearly the same as θ expressed in radians.
measure the time period for different
Table 14.1 sin θ as a function of angle θ amplitudes, up to large amplitudes. Of
course, for large oscillations, you will have
to take care that the pendulum oscillates
in a vertical plane. Let us denote the time
period for small-amplitude oscillations as
T (0) and write the time period for amplitude
θ0 as T(θ0 ) = cT (0), where c is the multiplying
factor. If you plot a graph of c versus θ 0,
you will get values somewhat like this:
θ0 : 200 450 500 700 900
Equation (14.27) is the angular analogue of c : 1.02 1.04 1.05 1.10 1.18
Eq. (14.11) and tells us that the angular
acceleration of the pendulum is proportional to This means that the error in the time
the angular displacement θ but opposite in sign. period is about 2% at an amplitude of 200,
Thus as the pendulum moves to the right, its 5% at an amplitude of 500, and 10% at an
amplitude of 700 and 18% at an amplitude
pull to the left increases until it stops and begins
of 900.
to return to the left. Similarly, when it moves
towards left, its acceleration to the right tends In the experiment, you will never be able
to return it to the right and so on, as it swings to measure T (0) because this means there
to and fro in SHM. Thus the motion of a simple are no oscillations. Even theoretically,
pendulum swinging through small angles is sin θ is exactly equal to θ only for θ = 0.
approximately SHM. There will be some inaccuracy for all other
Comparing Eq. (14.27) with Eq. (14.11), we values of θ . The difference increases with
increasing θ . Therefore we have to decide
see that the angular frequency of the pendulum
how much error we can tolerate. No
is,
measurement is ever perfectly accurate.
You must also consider questions like
mgL
ω = these: What is the accuracy of the
I stopwatch? What is your own accuracy in
starting and stopping the stopwatch? You
and the period of the pendulum, T, is given by, will realise that the accuracy in your
measurements at this level is never better
I than 5% or 10%. Since the above table
T (14.28)
mgL shows that the time period of the pendulum
increases hardly by 5% at an amplitude of
All the mass of a simple pendulum is centred 500 over its low amplitude value, you could
in the mass m of the bob, which is at a radius of very well keep the amplitude to be 50° in
L from the pivot point. Therefore, for this system, your experiments.
we can write I = m L2 and substituting this in
Eq. (14.28) we get,
OSCILLATIONS 351

turn, exerts an inhibiting drag force (viscous drag)

L on it and thus on the entire oscillating system.
T (14.29)
g With time, the mechanical energy of the block-
Equation (14.29) represents a simple spring system decreases, as energy is transferred
expression for the time period of a simple to the thermal energy of the liquid and vane.
pendulum. Let the damping force exerted by the liquid
on the system be* F d . Its magnitude is
Example 14.9 What is the length of a proportional to the velocity v of the vane or the
simple pendulum, which ticks seconds ?
Answer From Eq. (14.29), the time period of a
simple pendulum is given by,
L
T
g
From this relation one gets,
gT 2
L
4 2
The time period of a simple pendulum, which
ticks seconds, is 2 s. Therefore, for g = 9.8 m s–2
and T = 2 s, L is

9.8(m s –2 ) 4(s2 )
2
4
=1m Fig. 14.20 A damped simple harmonic oscillator.
The vane immersed in a liquid exerts a
14.9 DAMPED SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION
damping force on the block as it oscillates
We know that the motion of a simple pendulum, up and down.
swinging in air, dies out eventually. Why does it
block. The force acts in a direction opposite to
happen ? This is because the air drag and the
the direction of v. This assumption is valid only
friction at the support oppose the motion of the when the vane moves slowly. Then for the motion
pendulum and dissipate its energy gradually. along the x-axis (vertical direction as shown in
The pendulum is said to execute damped Fig. 14.20), we have
oscillations. In damped oscillations, although
the energy of the system is continuously Fd = –b v (14.30)
dissipated, the oscillations remain apparently where b is a damping constant that depends
periodic. The dissipating forces are generally the on the characteristics of the liquid and the
frictional forces. To understand the effect of such vane. The negative sign makes it clear that the
external forces on the motion of an oscillator, force is opposite to the velocity at every moment.
let us consider a system as shown in Fig. 14.20. When the mass m is attached to the spring
Here a block of mass m oscillates vertically on and released, the spring will elongate a little and
a spring with spring constant k. The block is the mass will settle at some height. This position,
connected to a vane through a rod (the vane shown by O in Fig 14.20, is the equilibrium
and the rod are considered to be massless). The position of the mass. If the mass is pulled down
vane is submerged in a liquid. As the block or pushed up a little, the restoring force on the
oscillates up and down, the vane also moves block due to the spring is FS = –kx, where x is
along with it in the liquid. The up and down the displacement of the mass from its
motion of the vane displaces the liquid, which in equilibrium position. Thus the total force acting

* Under gravity, the block will be at a certain equilibrium position O on the spring; x here represents the
displacement from that position.
352 PHYSICS

on the mass at any time t is F = –k x –b v. If a(t) regard it as a cosine function whose amplitude,
is the acceleration of the mass at time t, then which is Ae–b t/2m, gradually decreases with time.
by Newton’s second law of motion for force If b = 0 (there is no damping), then
components along the x-axis, we have Eqs. (14.33) and (14.34) reduce to Eqs. (14.4)
m a(t) = –k x(t) – b v(t) (14.31) and (14.14b), expressions for the displacement
Here we have dropped the vector notation and angular frequency of an undamped
because we are discussing one-dimensional oscillator. We have seen that the mechanical
motion. Substituting dx/dt for v(t) and d2x/dt2 energy of an undamped oscillator is constant
for the acceleration a(t) and rearranging gives and is given by Eq. (14.18) (E =1/2 k A2). If the
us the differential equation, oscillator is damped, the mechanical energy is
not constant but decreases with time. If the
d2 x dx damping is small, we can find E (t) by replacing
m b kx 0 (14.32) A in Eq. (14.18) by Ae–bt/2m, the amplitude of the
dt 2 dt
damped oscillations. Thus we find,
The solution of Eq. (14.32) describes the
motion of the block under the influence of a 1
E (t ) = k A 2 e –b t/m (14.35)
damping force which is proportional to velocity. 2
The solution is found to be of the form Equation (14.35) shows that the total energy
x(t) = A e–b t/2m cos (ω ′t + φ ) (14.33) of the system decreases exponentially with time.
Note that small damping means that the
where a is the amplitude and ω ′ is the angular
frequency of the damped oscillator given by, ⎛ ⎞b
dimensionless ratio ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ is much less than 1.
⎝ km ⎠
k b2 (14.34)
ω '= − Example 14.10 For the damped oscillator
m 4m 2
shown in Fig. 14.20, the mass m of the block
In this function, the cosine function has a is 200 g, k = 90 N m–1 and the damping
period 2π/ω′ but the function x(t) is not strictly constant b is 40 g s–1. Calculate (a) the
periodic because of the factor e –b t/2m which period of oscillation, (b) time taken for its
decreases continuously with time. However, if the amplitude of vibrations to drop to half of
decrease is small in one time period T, the motion its initial value and (c) the time taken for
represented by Eq. (14.33) is approximately its mechanical energy to drop to half its
periodic. initial value.
The solution, Eq. (14.33), can be graphically
Answer (a) We see that km = 90×0.2 = 18 kg N
represented as shown in Fig. 14.21. We can
m–1 = kg2 s–2; therefore km = 4.243 kg s–1, and
b = 0.04 kg s–1. Therefore b is much less than
km . Hence the time period T from Eq. (14.34)
is given by

m
T 2
k

0.2 kg
2
90 N m ±1
= 0.3 s
Fig. 14.21 Displacement as a function of time in
(b) Now, from Eq. (14.33), the time, T1/2, for the
damped harmonic oscillations. Damping
goes on increasing successively from curve amplitude to drop to half of its initial value is
a to d. given by,
OSCILLATIONS 353

the angular frequency ωd of the external force

ln(1/2) causing the driven oscillations.
T1/2 =
b /2m Suppose an external force F(t) of amplitude
F0 that varies periodically with time is applied
0.693 to a damped oscillator. Such a force can be
2 200 s represented as,
40
= 6.93 s F(t) = Fo cos ωd t (14.36)
(c) For calculating the time, t 1/2 , for its The motion of a particle under the combined
mechanical energy to drop to half its initial value action of a linear restoring force, damping force
we make use of Eq. (14.35). From this equation and a time dependent driving force represented
we have, by Eq. (14.36) is given by,
E (t1/2 )/E (0) = exp (–bt1/2/m) m a(t) = –k x(t) – bv(t) + Fo cos ωd t (14.37a)
Or ½ = exp (–bt1/2/m) Substituting d 2x/dt 2 for acceleration in
ln (1/2) = –(bt1/2/m) Eq. (14.37a) and rearranging it, we get

0.693 d2 x
Or t1/2 200 g m b dx kx Fo cos ωd t (14.37b)
40 g s –1 dt 2 dt
This is the equation of an oscillator of mass
= 3.46 s m on which a periodic force of (angular)
This is just half of the decay period for frequency ωd is applied. The oscillator initially
amplitude. This is not suprising, because, oscillates with its natural frequency ω. When
according to Eqs. (14.33) and (14.35), energy we apply the external periodic force, the
depends on the square of the amplitude. Notice oscillations with the natural frequency die out,
that there is a factor of 2 in the exponents of and then the body oscillates with the (angular)
the two exponentials. frequency of the external periodic force. Its
14.10 FORCED OSCILLATIONS AND displacement, after the natural oscillations die
RESONANCE out, is given by
A person swinging in a swing without anyone x(t) = A cos (ωdt + φ ) (14.38)
pushing it or a simple pendulum, displaced and
where t is the time measured from the moment
released, are examples of free oscillations. In when we apply the periodic force.
both the cases, the amplitude of swing will The amplitude A is a function of the forced
gradually decrease and the system would, frequency ωd and the natural frequency ω.
ultimately, come to a halt. Because of the ever- Analysis shows that it is given by
present dissipative forces, the free oscillations
cannot be sustained in practice. They get F
damped as seen in section 14.9. However, while A 1/2
2
m b (14.39a)
swinging in a swing if you apply a push d d

periodically by pressing your feet against the

ground, you find that not only the oscillations – vο
and tan φ = (14.39b)
can now be maintained but the amplitude can ωd x ο
also be increased. Under this condition the where m is the mass of the particle and v0 and
swing has forced, or driven, oscillations. In x0 are the velocity and the displacement of the
case of a system executing driven oscillations particle at time t = 0, which is the moment when
under the action of a harmonic force, two we apply the periodic force. Equation (14.39)
angular frequencies are important : (1) the shows that the amplitude of the forced oscillator
natural angular frequency ω of the system, depends on the (angular) frequency of the
which is the angular frequency at which it will driving force. We can see a different behaviour
oscillate if it were displaced from equilibrium of the oscillator when ωd is far from ω and when
position and then left to oscillate freely, and (2) it is close to ω. We consider these two cases.
354 PHYSICS

(a) Small Damping, Driving Frequency far would be much less than ωd b, for any reasonable
from Natural Frequency : In this case, ωd b will value of b, then Eq. (14.39) reduces to
be much smaller than m(ω2 –ω2d), and we can
Fο
neglect that term. Then Eq. (14.39) reduces to A= (14.41)
ωd b
F This makes it clear that the maximum
A (14.40)
m 2 possible amplitude for a given driving frequency
d is governed by the driving frequency and the
Figure 14.22 shows the dependence of the damping, and is never infinity. The phenomenon
displacement amplitude of an oscillator on the of increase in amplitude when the driving force
angular frequency of the driving force for is close to the natural frequency of the oscillator
different amounts of damping present in the is called resonance.
system. It may be noted that in all the cases the In our daily life we encounter phenomena
amplitude is greatest when ωd /ω = 1. The curves which involve resonance. Your experience with
in this figure show that smaller the damping, swings is a good example of resonance. You
the taller and narrower is the resonance peak. might have realised that the skill in swinging to
If we go on changing the driving frequency, greater heights lies in the synchronisation of
the amplitude tends to infinity when it equals the rhythm of pushing against the ground with
the natural frequency. But this is the ideal case the natural frequency of the swing.
of zero damping, a case which never arises in a To illustrate this point further, let us
real system as the damping is never perfectly consider a set of five simple pendulums of
zero. You must have experienced in a swing that assorted lengths suspended from a common rope
when the timing of your push exactly matches as shown in Fig. 14.23. The pendulums 1 and 4
with the time period of the swing, your swing have the same lengths and the others have
gets the maximum amplitude. This amplitude different lengths. Now let us set pendulum 1 into
is large, but not infinity, because there is always motion. The energy from this pendulum gets
some damping in your swing. This will become transferred to other pendulums through the
clear in the (b). connecting rope and they start oscillating. The
(b) Driving Frequency Close to Natural driving force is provided through the connecting
Frequency : If ωd is very close to ω, m (ω2 – 2
d ) rope. The frequency of this force is the frequency
with which pendulum 1 oscillates. If we observe
the response of pendulums 2, 3 and 5, they first
start oscillating with their natural frequencies

Fig. 14.22 The amplitude of a forced oscillator as a

function of the angular frequency of the
driving force. The amplitude is greatest
near ωd /ω= 1. The five curves correspond
to different extents of damping present in
the system. Curve a corresponds to the
least damping, and damping goes on
increasing successively in curves b, c, d,
e. Notice that the peak shifts to the left Fig. 14.23 A system of five simple pendulums
with increasing b. suspended from a common rope.
OSCILLATIONS 355

of oscillations and different amplitudes, but this resulting oscillations of the structure may rupture
motion is gradually damped and not sustained. it. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge at Puget Sound,
Their frequencies of oscillation gradually Washington, USA was opened on July 1, 1940.
change and ultimately they oscillate with the Four months later winds produced a pulsating
frequency of pendulum 1, i.e. the frequency of resultant force in resonance with the natural
the driving force but with different amplitudes. frequency of the structure. This caused a steady
They oscillate with small amplitudes. The increase in the amplitude of oscillations until the
response of pendulum 4 is in contrast to this bridge collapsed. It is for the same reason the
set of pendulums. It oscillates with the same marching soldiers break steps while crossing a
frequency as that of pendulum 1 and its bridge. Aircraft designers make sure that none of
amplitude gradually picks up and becomes very the natural frequencies at which a wing can
large. A resonance-like response is seen. This oscillate match the frequency of the engines in
happens because in this the condition for flight. Earthquakes cause vast devastation. It is
resonance is satisfied, i.e. the natural frequency interesting to note that sometimes, in an
of the system coincides with that of the driving earthquake, short and tall structures remain
force. unaffected while the medium height structures
All mechanical structures have one or more fall down. This happens because the natural
natural frequencies, and if a structure is frequencies of the short structures happen to be
subjected to a strong external periodic driving higher and those of taller structures lower than
force that matches one of these frequencies, the the frequency of the seismic waves.

SUMMARY

1. The motions which repeat themselves are called periodic motions.

2. The period T is the time required for one complete oscillation, or cycle. It is related to
the frequency ν by,

1
T=
ν
The frequency ν of periodic or oscillatory motion is the number of oscillations per
unit time. In the SI, it is measured in hertz :

1 hertz = 1 Hz = 1 oscillation per second = 1s–1

3. In simple harmonic motion (SHM), the displacement x (t) of a particle from its
equilibrium position is given by,

x (t) = A cos (ωt + φ ) (displacement),

in which A is the amplitude of the displacement, the quantity (ωt + φ ) is the phase of
the motion, and φ is the phase constant. The angular frequency ω is related to the
period and frequency of the motion by,

2
2 (angular frequency).
T
4. Simple harmonic motion is the projection of uniform circular motion on the diameter
of the circle in which the latter motion occurs.
5. The particle velocity and acceleration during SHM as functions of time are given by,
v (t) = –ωA sin (ωt + φ ) (velocity),
a (t) = –ω2A cos (ωt + φ )
356 PHYSICS

= –ω2x (t) (acceleration),

Thus we see that both velocity and acceleration of a body executing simple harmonic
motion are periodic functions, having the velocity amplitude vm=ω A and acceleration
amplitude am =ω2A, respectively.
6. The force acting simple harmonic motion is proportional to the displacement and
is always directed towards the centre of motion.
7. A particle executing simple harmonic motion has, at any time, kinetic energy
K = ½ mv2 and potential energy U = ½ kx2. If no friction is present the mechanical
energy of the system, E = K + U always remains constant even though K and U change
with time
8. A particle of mass m oscillating under the influence of a Hooke’s law restoring force
given by F = – k x exhibits simple harmonic motion with

k
ω = (angular frequency)
m

m (period)
T 2
k
Such a system is also called a linear oscillator.
9. The motion of a simple pendulum swinging through small angles is approximately
simple harmonic. The period of oscillation is given by,

L
T 2
g
10. The mechanical energy in a real oscillating system decreases during oscillations because
external forces, such as drag, inhibit the oscillations and transfer mechanical energy
to thermal energy. The real oscillator and its motion are then said to be damped. If the
damping force is given by Fd = –bv, where v is the velocity of the oscillator and b is a
damping constant, then the displacement of the oscillator is given by,
x (t) = A e–bt/2m cos (ω′ t + φ )
where ω ′, the angular frequency of the damped oscillator, is given by

k b2
m 4m 2

If the damping constant is small then ω ′ ≈ ω, where ω is the angular frequency of the
undamped oscillator. The mechanical energy E of the damped oscillator is given by

1
E(t) kA 2 e bt / m
2
11. If an external force with angular frequency ωd acts on an oscillating system with natural
angular frequency ω, the system oscillates with angular frequency ωd. The amplitude
of oscillations is the greatest when

ωd = ω
a condition called resonance.
OSCILLATIONS 357

POINTS TO PONDER

1. The period T is the least time after which motion repeats itself. Thus, motion repeats
itself after nT where n is an integer.
2. Every periodic motion is not simple harmonic motion. Only that periodic motion
governed by the force law F = – k x is simple harmonic.
3. Circular motion can arise due to an inverse-square law force (as in planetary motion)
as well as due to simple harmonic force in two dimensions equal to: –mω2r. In the
latter case, the phases of motion, in two perpendicular directions (x and y) must differ
by ω/2. Thus, a particle subject to a force –mω2r with initial position (o, A) and
velocity (ωA, o) will move uniformly in a circle of radius A.
4. For linear simple harmonic motion with a given ω two arbitrary initial conditions are
necessary and sufficient to determine the motion completely. The initial condition
may be (i) initial position and initial velocity or (ii) amplitude and phase or (iii) energy
and phase.
5. From point 4 above, given amplitude or energy, phase of motion is determined by the
initial position or initial velocity.
6. A combination of two simple harmonic motions with arbitrary amplitudes and phases
is not necessarily periodic. It is periodic only if frequency of one motion is an integral
multiple of the other’s frequency. However, a periodic motion can always be expressed
as a sum of infinite number of harmonic motions with appropriate amplitudes.
7. The period of SHM does not depend on amplitude or energy or the phase constant.
Contrast this with the periods of planetary orbits under gravitation (Kepler’s third
law).
8. The motion of a simple pendulum is simple harmonic for small angular displacement.
9. For motion of a particle to be simple harmonic, its displacement x must be expressible
in either of the following forms :
x = A cos ωt + B sin ωt
x = A cos (ωt + α ), x = B sin (ωt + β )
The three forms are completely equivalent (any one can be expressed in terms of any
other two forms).
Thus, damped simple harmonic motion [Eq. (14.31)] is not strictly simple harmonic. It
is approximately so only for time intervals much less than 2m/b where b is the damping
constant.
10. In forced oscillations, the steady state motion of the particle (after the force oscillations
die out) is simple harmonic motion whose frequency is the frequency of the driving
frequency ωd, not the natural frequency ω of the particle.
358 PHYSICS

11. In the ideal case of zero damping, the amplitude of simple harmonic motion at resonance
is infinite. This is no problem since all real systems have some damping, however,
small.
12. Under forced oscillation, the phase of harmonic motion of the particle differs from the
phase of the driving force.

Exercises

14.1 Which of the following examples represent periodic motion?

(a) A swimmer completing one (return) trip from one bank of a river to the other
and back.
(b) A freely suspended bar magnet displaced from its N-S direction and released.
(c) A hydrogen molecule rotating about its center of mass.
(d) An arrow released from a bow.
14.2 Which of the following examples represent (nearly) simple harmonic motion and
which represent periodic but not simple harmonic motion?
(a) the rotation of earth about its axis.
(b) motion of an oscillating mercury column in a U-tube.
(c) motion of a ball bearing inside a smooth curved bowl, when released from a
point slightly above the lower most point.
(d) general vibrations of a polyatomic molecule about its equilibrium position.
14.3 Figure 14.27 depicts four x-t plots for linear motion of a particle. Which of the plots
represent periodic motion? What is the period of motion (in case of periodic motion) ?

Fig. 14.27
OSCILLATIONS 359

14.4 Which of the following functions of time represent (a) simple harmonic, (b) periodic
but not simple harmonic, and (c) non-periodic motion? Give period for each case of
periodic motion (ω is any positive constant):
(a) sin ωt – cos ωt
(b) sin3 ωt
(c) 3 cos (π/4 – 2ωt)
(d) cos ωt + cos 3ωt + cos 5ωt
(e) exp (–ω2t2)
(f) 1 + ωt + ω2t2
14.5 A particle is in linear simple harmonic motion between two points, A and B, 10 cm
apart. Take the direction from A to B as the positive direction and give the signs of
velocity, acceleration and force on the particle when it is
(a) at the end A,
(b) at the end B,
(c) at the mid-point of AB going towards A,
(d) at 2 cm away from B going towards A,
(e) at 3 cm away from A going towards B, and
(f) at 4 cm away from B going towards A.
14.6 Which of the following relationships between the acceleration a and the displacement
x of a particle involve simple harmonic motion?
(a) a = 0.7x
(b) a = –200x2
(c) a = –10x
(d) a = 100x3
14.7 The motion of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is described by the
displacement function,
x(t) = A cos (ωt + φ ).
If the initial (t = 0) position of the particle is 1 cm and its initial velocity is ω cm/s,
what are its amplitude and initial phase angle ? The angular frequency of the particle
is π s–1. If instead of the cosine function, we choose the sine function to describe the
SHM : x = B sin (ωt + α), what are the amplitude and initial phase of the particle
with the above initial conditions.
14.8 A spring balance has a scale that reads from 0 to 50 kg. The length of the scale is 20
cm. A body suspended from this balance, when displaced and released, oscillates
with a period of 0.6 s. What is the weight of the body ?
14.9 A spring having with a spring constant 1200 N m–1 is mounted on a horizontal table
as shown in Fig. 14.28. A mass of 3 kg is attached to the free end of the spring. The
mass is then pulled sideways to a distance of 2.0 cm and released.

Fig. 14.28
Determine (i) the frequency of oscillations, (ii) maximum acceleration of the mass,
and (iii) the maximum speed of the mass.
14.10 In Exercise 14.9, let us take the position of mass when the spring is unstreched as
x = 0, and the direction from left to right as the positive direction of
x-axis. Give x as a function of time t for the oscillating mass if at the moment we
start the stopwatch (t = 0), the mass is
360 PHYSICS

(a) at the mean position,

(b) at the maximum stretched position, and
(c) at the maximum compressed position.
In what way do these functions for SHM differ from each other, in frequency, in
amplitude or the initial phase?
14.11 Figures 14.29 correspond to two circular motions. The radius of the circle, the
period of revolution, the initial position, and the sense of revolution (i.e. clockwise
or anti-clockwise) are indicated on each figure.

Fig. 14.29
Obtain the corresponding simple harmonic motions of the x-projection of the radius
vector of the revolving particle P, in each case.
14.12 Plot the corresponding reference circle for each of the following simple harmonic
motions. Indicate the initial (t =0) position of the particle, the radius of the circle,
and the angular speed of the rotating particle. For simplicity, the sense of rotation
may be fixed to be anticlockwise in every case: (x is in cm and t is in s).
(a) x = –2 sin (3t + π/3)
(b) x = cos (π/6 – t)
(c) x = 3 sin (2πt + π/4)
(d) x = 2 cos πt
14.13 Figure 14.30 (a) shows a spring of force constant k clamped rigidly at one end and
a mass m attached to its free end. A force F applied at the free end stretches the
spring. Figure 14.30 (b) shows the same spring with both ends free and attached to
a mass m at either end. Each end of the spring in Fig. 14.30(b) is stretched by the
same force F.

Fig. 14.30

(a) What is the maximum extension of the spring in the two cases ?
(b) If the mass in Fig. (a) and the two masses in Fig. (b) are released, what is the
period of oscillation in each case ?
OSCILLATIONS 361

14.14 The piston in the cylinder head of a locomotive has a stroke (twice the amplitude)
of 1.0 m. If the piston moves with simple harmonic motion with an angular frequency
of 200 rad/min, what is its maximum speed ?
14.15 The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon is 1.7 m s–2. What is the time
period of a simple pendulum on the surface of moon if its time period on the surface
of earth is 3.5 s ? (g on the surface of earth is 9.8 m s–2)
14.16 Answer the following questions :
(a) Time period of a particle in SHM depends on the force constant k and mass m
of the particle:

m
T = 2π . A simple pendulum executes SHM approximately. Why then is
k
the time period of a pendulum independent of the mass of the pendulum?
(b) The motion of a simple pendulum is approximately simple harmonic for small
angle oscillations. For larger angles of oscillation, a more involved analysis

l
shows that T is greater than 2π . Think of a qualitative argument to
g
appreciate this result.
(c) A man with a wristwatch on his hand falls from the top of a tower. Does the
watch give correct time during the free fall ?
(d) What is the frequency of oscillation of a simple pendulum mounted in a cabin
that is freely falling under gravity ?
14.17 A simple pendulum of length l and having a bob of mass M is suspended in a car.
The car is moving on a circular track of radius R with a uniform speed v. If the
pendulum makes small oscillations in a radial direction about its equilibrium
position, what will be its time period ?
14.18 A cylindrical piece of cork of density of base area A and height h floats in a liquid of
density ρ l. The cork is depressed slightly and then released. Show that the cork
oscillates up and down simple harmonically with a period

hρ
T = 2π
ρ1g
where ρ is the density of cork. (Ignore damping due to viscosity of the liquid).
14.19 One end of a U-tube containing mercury is connected to a suction pump and the
other end to atmosphere. A small pressure difference is maintained between the
two columns. Show that, when the suction pump is removed, the column of mercury
in the U-tube executes simple harmonic motion.

Additional Exercises
14.20 An air chamber of volume V has a neck area of cross section a into which a ball of
mass m just fits and can move up and down without any friction (Fig.14.33). Show
that when the ball is pressed down a little and released , it executes SHM. Obtain
an expression for the time period of oscillations assuming pressure-volume variations
of air to be isothermal [see Fig. 14.33].
362 PHYSICS

Fig.14.33

14.21 You are riding in an automobile of mass 3000 kg. Assuming that you are examining
the oscillation characteristics of its suspension system. The suspension sags
15 cm when the entire automobile is placed on it. Also, the amplitude of oscillation
decreases by 50% during one complete oscillation. Estimate the values of (a) the
spring constant k and (b) the damping constant b for the spring and shock absorber
system of one wheel, assuming that each wheel supports 750 kg.
14.22 Show that for a particle in linear SHM the average kinetic energy over a period of
oscillation equals the average potential energy over the same period.
14.23 A circular disc of mass 10 kg is suspended by a wire attached to its centre. The wire
is twisted by rotating the disc and released. The period of torsional oscillations is
found to be 1.5 s. The radius of the disc is 15 cm. Determine the torsional spring
constant of the wire. (Torsional spring constant α is defined by the relation
J = –α θ , where J is the restoring couple and θ the angle of twist).
14.24 A body describes simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 5 cm and a period of
0.2 s. Find the acceleration and velocity of the body when the displacement is (a) 5
cm, (b) 3 cm, (c) 0 cm.
14.25 A mass attached to a spring is free to oscillate, with angular velocity ω, in a horizontal
plane without friction or damping. It is pulled to a distance x0 and pushed towards
the centre with a velocity v0 at time t = 0. Determine the amplitude of the resulting
oscillations in terms of the parameters ω, x0 and v0. [Hint : Start with the equation
x = a cos (ωt+θ) and note that the initial velocity is negative.]