CHAPTER 9:

Simple harmonic motion

1
Introduction of Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
SHM
 is defined as a periodic motion without loss of energy in
which the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to
its displacement from the equilibrium position (fixed point)
and is directed towards the equilibrium position but in
opposite direction of the displacement.
OR mathematically,
2
d
a = − y = 2
2 y
(1)
dt
where
a : accelerati o n o f the b o d y
ω : angular ve lo city(ang ular freq uency)
x : d isp la c e me nt fro m the e q uilib riu m p o sitio n, O
2
 The angular frequency,  always constant thus
a  −x
 The negative sign in the equation 1 indicates that the direction
of the acceleration, a is always opposite to the direction of
the displacement, x.
 The equilibrium position is a position at which the body would
come to rest if it were to lose all of its energy.
 Equation 1 is the hallmark of the linear SHM.
 Examples of SHM system are simple pendulum, horizontal and
vertical spring oscillations as shown in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c.

3
 
a
Fs
m Figure 1a

−x O +x

+x 

a
O Fs
m

−x m   −x +x
Fs a O

Figure 1b Figure 1c 4
Terminology in SHM
Amplitude (A)
 is defined as the maximum magnitude of the displacement
from the equilibrium position.
 Its unit is metre (m).
Period (T)
 is defined as the time taken for one cycle.
 Its unit is second (s).
 Equation :
1
T=
f
Frequency (f)
 is defined as the number of cycles in one second.
 Its unit is hertz (Hz) :
1 Hz = 1 cycle s−1 = 1 s−1
 Equation :

 = 2f OR f =
2
5
 Learning Outcome:
9.1 Kinematics of SHM
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
a) Explain SHM.
b) Solve problems related to SHM displacement equation,
y = A sin t
c) Derive equations:
dy
⚫ velocity, v= =  A2 − y 2
dt
⚫ acceleration, dv d 2 y
a= = 2 = − 2 y
dt dt
1
( )
⚫ kinetic energy,
K = m 2 A2 − y 2
2
1
⚫ potential energy, U= m 2 y 2 6
2
d) Emphasise the relationship between total SHM
energy and amplitude.

b) Apply velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy and

potential energy for SHM

7
 9.1 Kinematics of SHM
Displacement, y
 Uniform circular motion can be translated into linear SHM and
obtained a sinusoidal curve for displacement, y against angular
displacement, graph as shown in Figure 2.
y
S  A
N y1
M
A

 1
O P 0  1   3 2  (rad)
2 2

−A
Figure 2 T 8
  At time, t = 0 the object is at point M (Figure 2) and after time t it
moves to point N , therefore the expression for displacement, y1
is given by y1 = A sin 1 where  1 =  +  and  =  t
y1 = A sin (t +  )

 In general the equation of displacement as a function of time

in SHM is given by
phase
displacement from
equilibrium position y = A sin (t +  ) (2)

Initial phase angle

amplitude (phase constant)
angular time
frequency

9
Phase
 It is the time-varying quantity ( t +  ).
 Its unit is radian.

Initial phase angle (phase constant),

 It is indicate the starting point in SHM where the time, t = 0 s.
 If  = 0 , the equation (4) can be written as
y = A sin (t )

where the starting point of SHM is at the equilibrium position, O.

10
 For examples:
a. At t = 0 s, y = +A

−A O A
y = A sin (t +  )
A = A sin (0 +  )

 = rad
2
Equation :
 
y = A sin  t +  OR y = A cos (t )
 2
11
 b. At t = 0 s, y = −A

−A O A
y = A sin (t +  )
− A = A sin (0 +  )
3 
= rad OR − rad
Equation : 2 2
 3   
y = A sin  t +  OR y = A sin  t − 
 2   2
OR y = − A cos (t )
12
c. At t = 0 s, y = 0, but v = −vmax

− v max

−A O A

Equation :
y = A sin (t   ) OR y = − A sin (t )

13
(i) Velocity, v
 From the definition of instantaneous velocity,
dy
v= and y = A sin (t +  )
dt
v = ( A sin(  t +  ) )
d
dt
v = A (sin(  t +  ) )
d
dt
v = A  co s(  t +  ) (3)

 If phase angle  = 0 , v = A  co s  t
 The maximum velocity, vmax occurs when cos( t + ) =1
hence
v max = A  (4)
14
 a = − y
2

d2y
2
= − y2

dt
d  dy  dy
  = − 2
y =v
dt  dt  dt
d
 ( v ) = − 2 y
dt
dv dy
. = − 2 y
dx dt
dv
.v = − 2 y
dx
15
 vdv = − 2 y.dy
Intergrating both sides of equation,

 vdv = −  y.dy
2

v2 y 2
= − 2
+C
2 2
at extreme position y = A and v = 0.
Substituting these values in equation above, we have

02 A 2
 2 2
A
= − 2
+C  C =
2 2 2

16
putting this value in equation above we get,

v2 y 2
A 2
= − 2 + 2
2 2 2
v 2 = − 2 y 2 +  2 A2

v 2 =  2 ( A2 − y 2 )
 v =  A2 − y 2 (5)

17
(ii) Acceleration, a
 From the definition of instantaneous acceleration,
and v = A  cos ( t +  )
dv
a=
dt
a = ( A  cos( t +  ) )
d
dt
a = A  (cos( t +  ) )
d
dt
a = − A  sin(  t +  )
2
(6)

 Eq. (6) is an equation of acceleration as a function of time in

SHM.
 The maximum acceleration, amax occurs when sin( t+)=−1
hence
a max = A  2 (7)
18
 The S.I. unit of acceleration in SHM is m s−2.
 If  = 0 , equation (6) becomes
a = − A  sin  t
2

Relationship between acceleration, a and displacement, x

 From the eq. (6) :
a = −  A sin(  t +  )
2
(8)
From the eq. (2) :
y = A sin (t +  )

(9)
 By substituting eq. (9) into eq. (8), therefore

a = − y 2

19
(iii) Energy in SHM
Potential energy, U
 Consider the oscillation of a spring as a SHM hence the
potential energy for the spring is given by
1 2
U = ky and k = m  2
2
1
U = m y
2 2
(10)
2
 The potential energy in term of time, t is given by
1
U = m y y = A sin (t +  )
2 2
and
2
U = m  2 A 2 sin 2 ( t +  )
1
(11)
2
20
Kinetic energy, K
 The kinetic energy of the object in SHM is given by

1 2
K = mv and v =  A2 − y 2
2
1
(
K = m 2 A2 − y 2
2
) (12)

 The kinetic energy in term of time, t is given by

K = mv and v = A  cos ( t +  )
1 2
2
K = m  A cos ( t +  )
1 2 2 2
(13)
2

21
Total energy, E
 The total energy of a body in SHM is the sum of its kinetic
energy, K and its potential energy, U .
E = K +U
 From the principle of conservation of energy, this total energy is
always constant in a closed system hence
E = K + U = co nstant
 The equation of total energy in SHM is given by

(
1 2 2 2 1 2 2
E = m A − y + m y
2 2
)
1
E = m A 2 2
(14)
2
1
OR E = kA2 (15)
2 22
 We can use the principle of conservation of energy to obtain
the velocity for an arbitrary position by expressing the total
energy at some arbitrary position y as;
E = K +U
1 2 1 2 1 2
kA = mv + ky
2 2 2
mv 2 = kA2 − ky 2

v = (A − y )
2 k 2 2
m
v=
m
( A −y )
k 2 2
where =
k
m

v =  ( A 2
− y 2
) (16)
23
Example 1 :
An object executes SHM whose displacement y varies with time t
according to the relation
 
y = 8sin  3 t + 
 2
where y 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 s,
d. the maximum speed and maximum acceleration of the object.

24
Solution :
a. By comparing
 
y = 8sin  3 t +  with y = A sin (t +  )
thus
 2
i. A = 8 cm
ii.  = 3 rad s − 1 and  = 2 f
2  f = 3
f = 1 .5 H z
iii. The period of the motion is
1 1
f = 1 .5 =
T T
T = 0 . 667 s
iv. The phase constant is

 = + rad
2 25
Solution :
b. i. Differentiating y respect to time, thus

dy d    
v = =  8sin  3 t +  
dt dt   2 
 
v = 8(3 ) cos  3t + 
 2
 
v = 24 cos  3t + 
 2
−1
w here v is in cm s and t is in seco nd s.

26
Solution :
b. ii. Differentiating v respect to time, thus

dv d    
a= =  24 cos  3t +  
dt dt   2 
 
a = − 24 (3 ) sin  3 t + 
 2
 
a = − 72 sin  3 t + 
2

 2
−2
w here a is in cm s and t is in seco nd s.

27
Solution :
c. For t = 2 s
i. The displacement of the object is
 
y = 8sin  3 ( 2 ) + 
y = 8 cm  2
ii. The velocity of the object is
 
v = 24 cos  3 (2 ) + 
 2
v = 0 cm s − 1
OR v =  A − y 2 2

=  2 ( 8 ) − ( 8 )
2 2

−1
v = 0 cm s
28
Solution :
c. For t = 2 s
iii. The acceleration of the object is
 
a = − 72 sin  3 (2 ) + 
2

 2
2 −2
a = − 7 2  cm s = − 7 1 1 cm s −2

OR
a = − 2 y
= − (3 ) (8 )
2

−2 −2
a = − 7 2  cm s = − 7 1 1 cm s
2

29
Solution :
d. i. The maximum speed of the object is given by
v max = A 
= (8 )(3 )
v max = 24  cm s − 1
ii. The maximum acceleration of the object is
a max =  A 2

= (3 ) (8 )
2

a max = 72  2 cm s − 2

30
Example 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.
Solution :

31
Solution :

+A
7 .5 cm O t = 0 . 17 s
m
−A
a. The amplitude is
7 .5  10 −2
A= = 3 .75  10 − 2 m
2
b. The period of the motion is
T = 2 t = 2 (0 . 17 )
T = 0 . 34 s
32
Solution :
b. Therefore the frequency of the motion is
1 1
f = =
T 0 .34
f = 2 .9 4 H z
c. From the equation of the maximum acceleration in SHM, hence
a max = A  2 and  = 2  f
= A ( 2 f )
2
a max
a max ( )
= 3 . 75  10 ( 2  ( 2 . 94 ))
−2 2

a max = 12 . 8 m s − 2

33
 Example 3 :
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 equilibrium position
and released.
a. Write down the equation giving the object’s displacement as a
function of time.
b. How long will the object take to get to the equilibrium position
for the first time?
c. Calculate
i. the maximum speed of the object,
ii. the maximum acceleration of the object.

34
 Solution : m = 0 . 4 5 0 k g; T = 0 . 5 5 s
a. The amplitude of the motion is A = 10 cm
The angular frequency of the oscillation is
2 2
= =
T 0 .55
10 cm m t=0  = 1 1 . 4 rad s − 1
and the initial phase angle is given by
0 y = A sin (t +  )
A = A sin ( (0 ) +  )
− 10 cm 
 = rad
2
Therefore the equation of the displacement as a function of time is
y = A sin (t +  )
  y = 10cos (11.4t )
y = 10sin 11.4t +  OR
 2
where y is in cm and t is in seconds. 35
Solution : m = 0 . 4 5 0 k g; T = 0 . 5 5 s
b. At the equilibrium position, y = 0
  T 0 .55
y = 10sin 11.4t +  OR t= =
 2 4 4
  t = 0 .1 3 8 s
0 = 10 sin  11 .4t + 
 2
 
 11 .4t +  = sin (0 )
−1

 2
 
 11 .4t +  = 
 2
t = 0 . 138 s

36
Solution : m = 0 . 4 5 0 k g; T = 0 . 5 5 s
c. i. The maximum speed of the object is
v max = A 
v max = (0 . 1 )(11 . 4 )
v max = 1 . 14 m s − 1
ii. The maximum acceleration of the object is
a max = A  2

a max = (0 . 1)(11 . 4 )
2

a max = 13 . 0 m s − 2

37
 Example 4 :
An object of mass 50.0 g is connected to a spring with a force
constant of 35.0 N m-1 oscillates on a horizontal frictionless surface
with an amplitude of 4.00 cm. Determine
a. the total energy of the system,
b. the speed of the object when the position is 1.00 cm,
c. the kinetic and potential energy when the position is 3.00 cm.

Solution :
m = 50 . 0  10 − 3 kg; k = 35 . 0 N m − 1 ; A = 4 . 00  10 − 2 m

38
Solution :
a. By applying the equation of the total energy in SHM, thus
1 2
E = kA
2
E = ( 35.0 ) ( 4.00 10 )  2.80 10 −2 J
1 −2 2

2
b. The speed of the object when y = 1.00 10−2 m
k
v = A − y 2 2
and =
m
35.0  
v= −3 
50.0  10 
( 4.00  10 ) − (1.00  10 )
−2 2 −2 2


−1
v = 1 .0 3 m s

39
Solution :
c. The kinetic energy of the object when y = 3.00 10−2 m is
1 2 2 2
K = m A − y
2
( ) and k = m 2
1
(
K = k A2 − y 2
2
)
1
2
((
K = (35 .0 ) 4 .00  10 −2 2
) (
− 3 .00  10 − 2 ))
2

K = 1 .2 3  1 0 −2 J
and the potential energy of the object when y = 3.00 10−2 m is

( )
1 2
U = (35 .0 ) 3 .00  10
U = ky 1 −2 2

2 2
U = 1 .5 8  1 0 −2 J
40
Exercise 1 :
1. 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
2. A body of mass 2.0 kg moves in simple harmonic motion. The
displacement y from the equilibrium position at time t is given by
 
y = 6.0sin 2   t + 
 6
where y is in metres and t is in seconds. Determine
a. the amplitude, period and phase angle of the SHM.
b. the maximum acceleration of the motion.
c. the kinetic energy of the body at time t = 5 s.

ANS. : 6.0 m, 1.0 s, rad ; 24.0 2 m s−2; 355 J 41
3
3. A horizontal plate is vibrating vertically with SHM at a frequency
of 20 Hz. What is the amplitude of vibration so that the fine sand
on the plate always remain in contact with it?
ANS. : 6.2110−4 m
4. An object of mass 2.1 kg is executing simple harmonic motion,
attached to a spring with spring constant k = 280 N m−1. When
the object is 0.020 m from its equilibrium position, it is moving
with a speed of 0.55 m s−1. Calculate
a. the amplitude of the motion.
b. the maximum velocity attained by the object.
ANS. : 5.1710−2 m; 0.597 m s−1

42
Learning Outcome:

9.2 Graphs of SHM

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
a) Discuss the following graphs:
(i) displacement - time
(ii) velocity - time
(iii) acceleration - time
(iv) energy - displacement

43
9.2 Graphs of SHM
(i) Graph of displacement-time (y-t)
 From the general equation of displacement as a function of time
in SHM,
y = A sin (t +  )
⚫ If  = 0 , thus y = A sin (t )
⚫ The displacement-time graph is shown in Figure 3.
y
Period
A

A mp litud e
Figure 3
0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
−A
44
 For examples:
a. At t = 0 s, y = +A
  
Equation: y = A sin t +
  OR y = A cos (t )
Graph of y against t: 2
y
A

0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
−A

45
b. At t = 0 s, y = −A 
 3  
Equation: y = A sin  t +  OR y = A sin  t − 
 2   2
OR y = − A cos (t )
Graph of x against t:
y
A

0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
−A

46
c. At t = 0 s, y = 0, but v = −vmax

Equation: y = A sin (t   ) OR y = − A sin (t )

Graph of y against t:
y
A

0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
−A

47
How to sketch the y against t graph when  0
Sketch the x against t graph for the following expression:
 π
y = 2 cmsin  2 t + 
 2
 From the expression,
⚫ the amplitude, A = 2 c m
2
−1
⚫ the angular frequency,  = 2 rad s = T =1s
T
 Sketch the y against t graph for equation y = 2sin ( 2 t )
y(cm)
2 T
4
0 t (s )
0.5 1
−2
48
 Because of  T
 = + rad  t = hence shift the y-axis to the
2 4 right by T
 Sketch the new graph. 4
y (cm)
2

0 0.5
t (s )
1
−2
RULES
If  = negative value
→shift the y-axis to the left

If  = positive value
→shift the y-axis to the right
49
 (ii) Graph of velocity-time (v-t)
 From the general equation of velocity as a function of time in
v = A  cos ( t +  )
SHM,

⚫ If  = 0 , thus v = A  cos ( t )
⚫ The velocity-time graph is shown in Figure 4.
v
A

Figure 4
0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
− A

50
 From the relationship between velocity and displacement,

v =  A2 − y 2
thus the graph of velocity against displacement (v-y) is shown
in Figure 5.
v
A

−A 0 A y

− A

Figure 5

51
 (iii) Graph of acceleration-time (a-t)
 From the general equation of acceleration as a function of time
in SHM,
a = − A  sin ( t +  )
2

If  = 0 , thus a = − A  sin ( t )
2
⚫

⚫ The acceleration-time graph is shown in Figure 6.

a
A 2

Figure 6
0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
− A 2

52
 From the relationship between acceleration and displacement,
a = − y 2

thus the graph of acceleration against displacement (a-y) is

shown in Figure 7. a
A 2

−A 0 A y

− A 2
Figure 7
 The gradient of the a-y graph represents

gradient , m = −  2
53
(iv) Graph of energy-displacement (E-y)
 From the equations of kinetic, potential and total energies as a
term of displacement.

Kinetic energy,
K = m ( A − y )
1 2 2 2
2
Potential energy,
1
U = m y
2 2

2
And total energy,
1
E = m 2 A2
2

54
Thus the graph of energy against displacement (a-y) is
shown in Figure 8.
1
E = m  2 A 2 = constant
E 2
1
U = m 2 y 2
2

1 2 2 2
(
K = m A − y
2
)
y

Figure 8
55
Example 5 :
The displacement of an oscillating object as a function of time is
shown in Figure 9.
y (cm)
15.0

0 t (s)
0.8
−15.0
Figure 9
From the graph above, determine for these oscillations
a. the amplitude, the period and the frequency,
b. the angular frequency,
c. the equation of displacement as a function of time,
d. the equation of velocity and acceleration as a function of time.
56
Solution :
a. From the graph,
Amplitude, A = 0 . 15 m
Period, T = 0 . 8 s
1 1
Frequency,
f = =
T 0 .8
f = 1 .2 5 H z
b. The angular frequency of the oscillation is given by
2 2
= =
T 0 .8 − 1
 = 2 . 5  rad s
c. From the graph, when t = 0, y = 0 thus  = 0
By applying the general equation of displacement in SHM
y = A sin (t +  ) y = 0.15sin ( 2.5 t )
where y is in metres and t is in seconds.
57
Solution :
d. i. The equation of velocity as a function of time is
dy d
v = = ( 0.15sin 2.5 t )
dt dt
v = 0 . 15 ( 2 . 5  ) cos 2 . 5  t
v = 0 . 3 7 5  co s 2 . 5  t
w here v is in m s − 1 and t is in seco nd s.
ii. and the equation of acceleration as a function of time is

= (0 .375 cos 2 .5 t )

dv d
a=
dt dt
a = − 0 . 375  ( 2 . 5  ) sin 2 . 5  t
a = − 0 . 9 3 8  2 sin 2 . 5  t
−2
w here a is in m s and t is in seco nd s.
58
Example 6 : a ( m s −2 )
0.80

− 4.00 0 4.00 y (cm)

− 0.80
Figure 10
Figure 10 shows the relationship between the acceleration a and
its displacement y from a fixed point for a body of mass 2.50 kg at
which executes SHM. Determine
a. the amplitude,
b. the period,
c. the maximum speed of the body,
d. the total energy of the body. 59
Solution : m = 2 . 5 0 k g
−2
a. The amplitude of the motion is A = 4 . 0 0  1 0 m
b. From the graph, the maximum acceleration is a max = 0 . 80 m s −2
By using the equation of maximum acceleration, thus
2
a max = A  and2  =
2

 2  T
a max = A 
 T 
− 2  2 
2

0 .80 = (4 .00  10 ) 
T = 1 . 40 s  T 
OR The gradient of the a-x graph is
y 2 − y1 0 − 0 .80
gradient = = = −  2

(
x 2 − x1 0 − − 4 .00  10 − 2 )
 2 
2

− 20 = −   T = 1 . 40 s
 T  60
Solution : m = 2 . 5 0 k g
c. By applying the equation of the maximum speed, thus
2
v max = A  and  =
 2  T
v max = A 
 T 
− 2  2 
v max = (4 .00  10 ) 
− 1  1 . 40 
v max = 0 . 180 m s
d. The total energy of the body is given by
1
E = m 2 A2
2
 2 
2

E = (2 .50 )  (4 .00  10 )
1 −2 2

2  1 .40 
E = 4 .0 3  1 0 −2 J
61
Example 7 :
y (m)
0.2

0 t (s )
1 2 3 4 5

− 0.2
Figure 11
Figure 11 shows the displacement of an oscillating object of mass
1.30 kg varying with time. The energy of the oscillating object
consists the kinetic and potential energies. Calculate
a. the angular frequency of the oscillation,
b. the sum of this two energy.

62
Solution : m = 1 . 3 0 k g
From the graph,
Amplitude, A = 0 . 2 m
Period, T = 4 s
a. The angular frequency is given by
2 2
= =
T 4

 = rad s −1

2
b. The sum of the kinetic and potential energies is
1
E = m 2 A2
2
 
2

E = (1 .30 )  (0 .2 )
1 2

2 2
E = 6 .4 2  1 0 −2 J
63
Exercise 2 :
1. The displacement y of a particle in simple harmonic motion
varies with time t according to the equation
y = 10sin 2t
where x is in mm and t in s.
a. Sketch the graph of y against t.
b. What is the period of the simple harmonic motion.
c. Determine the time taken for the particle to travel from y = 0
to y = 5 mm.
ANS. : 3.14 s; 0.262 s

64
Learning Outcome:
9.3 Period of SHM
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
a) Use expression for period of SHM, T for simple pendulum
and single spring.
b) Determine the acceleration, g due to gravity using simple
pendulum.
(Experiment 5: SHM)
c) Investigate the effect of large amplitude oscillation to the
accuracy of acceleration due to gravity, g obtained from the
experiment.
(Experiment 5: SHM)

65
9.3 Period of SHM
9.3a (i) Simple pendulum oscillation
 Figure 12 shows the oscillation of the simple pendulum of
length, l.

l


T
y
m P
O
m g sin 
 m g cos 
Figure 12 
mg
66
 A pendulum bob is pulled slightly to point P.
 The string makes an angle,  to the vertical and the arc
length, y as shown in Figure 12.
 The forces act on the bob are mg, weight and T, the tension
in the string.
 Resolve the weight into
⚫ the tangential component : mg sin 
⚫ the radial component : mg cos 

67
 The resultant force in the radial direction provides the
centripetal force which enables the bob to move along the arc
and is given by
mv 2
T − mg cos  =
r
 The restoring force, Fs contributed by the tangential
component of the weight pulls the bob back to equilibrium
position. Thus
Fs = − m g sin 

⚫ The negative sign shows that the restoring force, Fs is

always against the direction of increasing y.

68
 For small angle, ;
⚫ sin    in radian
⚫ arc length, y of the bob becomes straight line (shown in
Figure 13) then

y
sin  =  
 l
l
thus F = − mg
 y
s  
l
x

Figure 13

69
 By applying Newton’s second law of motion,
 F = ma = F s
mgy
ma = −
L
g
a = −  y
l
Thus a  −y Simple pendulum executes
linear SHM
g
 By comparing a = −   y with a = − 2
y
l
g 2
Thus  =
2
and =
l T

70
 l
Therefore T = 2 (17)
g
where T : p e rio d o f the simp le p e nd ulum
l : len g th o f th e strin g
g : gravitatio nal accelerati o n
 The conditions for the simple pendulum executes SHM are
⚫ the angle,  has to be small (less than 10).
⚫ the string has to be inelastic and light.
⚫ only the gravitational force and tension in the string acting
on the simple pendulum.

71
(ii) Single spring oscillation
Vertical spring oscillation

 
F F1
x1
O
y
O 
m a
m

mg

mg
Figure 14a Figure 14b Figure 14c

72
 Figure 14a shows a free light spring with spring constant, k hung
vertically.
 An object of mass, m is tied to the lower end of the spring as
shown in Figure 14b. When the object achieves an equilibrium
condition, the spring is stretched by an amount y1 . Thus
F =0 F −W = 0
−ky1 − W = 0
W = −ky1
 The object is then pulled downwards to a distance, y and
released as shown in Figure 14c. Hence
 F = ma
F1 − W = m a and F1 = −k ( y1 + y )
−k ( y1 + y ) − ( −ky1 ) = ma
k
a = −  y
m
then a  −y Vertical spring oscillation executes
linear SHM 73
  
a Fs
m
Horizontal spring oscillation
 Figure 9.17 shows a spring is  t =0
initially stretched with a Fs = 0
displacement, x = A and then m
released. T
  t=
 According to Hooke’s law, a 4
Fs = − k x Fs
 The mass accelerates toward
m
T
equilibrium position, x = 0 by  t=
the restoring force, Fs hence Fs = 0 2
Fs = m a m
ma = −ky 3T
k

a t = 4
a = −  y Fs
Then
m m
a  −y executes
linear SHM t =T
Figure 15 y = − A y = 0 y = A 74
 k
 By comparing a = −  y with a = − y 2
m
k 2
 = 2
and =
Thus m T
where (18)
m
Therefore T = 2 T : p erio d o f the sp ring o scillatio n
k m : mass o f the o b ject
k : sp ring co nstant (fo rce co nstant)
 The conditions for the spring-mass system executes SHM are
⚫ The elastic limit of the spring is not exceeded when the
spring is being pulled.
⚫ The spring is light and obeys Hooke’s law.
⚫ No air resistance and surface friction.

75
Example 8 :
A certain simple pendulum makes 20 oscillations in 15 seconds on
Earth surface’s. Determine the period of the simple pendulum on
Mars surface’s where its gravitational acceleration is 3.71 m s−2.
(Given the gravitational acceleration on the Earth’s surface is
g = 9.81 m s−2)
Solution : t 2 0 = 15 s; g E = 9 . 81 m s − 2 ; g M = 3 . 71 m s − 2
t 20 15
TE = = = 0 .75 s
20 20
The period of simple pendulum on Earth’s surface is
l
TE = 2 (1)
gE
But its period on the surface of Mars is given by
l
TM = 2 (2)
gM 76
Solution : T = 0 . 75 s; g = 9 . 81 m
E E s − 2 ; g M = 3 . 71 m s − 2
By dividing eqs. (1) and (2), thus

l
2
TE gE
=
TM l
2
gM
TE gM
=
TM gE
0.75 3.71
=
TM 9.81
T M = 1 . 22 s
77
Example 9 :
The length of a simple pendulum is 75.0 cm and it is released at an
angle 8 to the vertical. Calculate
a. the period of the oscillation,
b. the pendulum’s bob speed and acceleration when it passes
through the lowest point of the swing.
(Given g = 9.81 m s−2)
Solution :
A
= sin 8 
L L
8 A = L sin 8 
A
m

−A O A 78
Solution : L = 0 . 75 m;  = 8 
a. The frequency of the simple pendulum oscillation is
L
T = 2
g
0.75
= 2 T = 1 . 74 s
9.81
b. At the lowest point, the speed of the pendulum’s bob is
maximum hence v max = A  and A = L sin 8


 2 
(
= L sin 8  
) 
 T 
  2 
(
= 0 .75 sin 8  ) 
− 1  1 . 74 
v max = 0 . 378 m s
−2
and its acceleration, a = 0 m s 79
Example 10 :
A mass m at the end of a spring vibrates with a frequency of
0.88 Hz. When an additional mass of 1.25 kg is added to the mass
m, the frequency is 0.48 Hz. Calculate the value of m.
Solution : f 1 = 0 . 88 H z; f 2 = 0 . 48 H z; Δm = 1 . 25 kg
The frequency of the spring is given by
1 m
f1 = and T1 = 2
T1 k
1 k
f1 = (1)
2 m
After the additional mass is added to the m, the frequency of the
spring becomes
1 k
f2 = (2)
2 m + Δm
80
Solution : f 1 = 0 . 88 H z; f 2 = 0 . 48 H z; Δm = 1 . 25 kg
By dividing eqs. (1) and (2), thus
1 k
f1
= 2 m
f2 1 k
2 m + Δm
f1 m + Δm
=
f2 m
0.88 m + 1.25
=
0.48 m
m = 0 .5 2 9 k g
81
Summary :
t x 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 v =  A2 − x2
a = − 2 x T 1 2
 max 1 2 −A 0 A 2
0 kA
K = mv 2 2

vmax 2
1 2 3T 1
U = kx 0 A 0 2
mA2 2 0
2 4
amax 1 2
T A 0 − A 2 0 kA
2
 max
−A O A 82
THE END.

83