Harmonic Oscillators

HARMONIC
OSCILLATORS
E-007,E-009,E-011
HISTORY
The history of the harmonic oscillator is a fascinating topic that has been studied by scientists and
mathematicians for centuries. The concept of harmonic motion, or the repetitive movement of an object
around a fixed point, was first observed by ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras in the 6th century BC.
However, it was not until the 17th century that the mathematical description of the harmonic oscillator
was developed.
One of the earliest studies of the harmonic oscillator was done by Galileo Galilei in the late 16th and early
17th century. He observed the oscillation of a pendulum and described its motion using a sinusoidal
function. This was a significant step in understanding the behavior of the harmonic oscillator and laid the
foundation for future studies.
In the 18th century, Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler introduced the concept of a simple harmonic
oscillator, which is a system that experiences a restoring force proportional to its displacement from
equilibrium. This concept was further developed by French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange and
Swiss physicist Daniel Bernoulli, who studied the motion of a mass attached to a spring.
Introduction
Defination: Harmonic oscillators are systems in physics characterized by their ability
to oscillate back and forth around an equilibrium position. This oscillatory motion
occurs due to a restoring force that is directly proportional to the displacement from
equilibrium.
When a body oscillates about its location along a linear straight line under the
influence of a force that is pointed towards the mean location, and is proportional to
the displacement at any moment from this location, the motion of the body is
considered to be simple harmonic, and the swinging body is known as a linear
harmonic oscillator or simple harmonic oscillator. This form of oscillation is the best
example of periodic motion.
Use of second
order
differential
equation
here?
Second-order linear
differential equations find
extensive application in
physics, especially in
modeling harmonic
oscillators
Importance of harmonic oscillators
in physics and engineering
Harmonic oscillators are ubiquitous in various fields, including
mechanics, electronics, acoustics, and optics.
They serve as fundamental models for understanding vibrations,
waves, and periodic motion in nature and engineering systems.
Applications range from pendulum clocks and musical
instruments to mechanical structures, electrical circuits, and
quantum systems.
General terms
• Restoring Force: A force that

acts to return the system to its
equilibrium position when
displaced.
• Equilibrium Position: The point

at which the net force acting on
the system is zero, and the
system is at rest.
• Simple Harmonic Motion: A type

of periodic motion where the
restoring force is directly
proportional to the
displacement and acts in the
opposite direction, resulting in
sinusoidal motion.
Equation of motion
Introduction
The behavior of harmonic oscillators is described by a second-order linear differential equation known as
the equation of motion.
This equation encapsulates the relationship between the displacement of the oscillator and the restoring
force acting upon it.
Equation:
Mass (m): Determines the inertia of the system, influencing how the object responds to applied forces.
Displacement (x): Specifies the position of the object relative to its equilibrium position at any given time.
Time (t): Parameterizes the rate of change of displacement, facilitating the description of dynamic motion.
Spring Constant (k): Reflects the stiffness of the restoring force, quantifying the relationship between
displacement and force.
m: Represents the mass of the
oscillating object.
x: Denotes the displacement of

the object from its equilibrium
position.
t: Represents time, indicating

the temporal evolution of the
displacement.
k: Represents the stiffness or

spring constant of the system,
determining the strength of the
restoring force.
Behavior under Different Initial
Conditions
The behavior of a harmonic oscillator depends significantly on its initial
conditions, namely the initial displacement and velocity of the oscillating object.
Exploring various scenarios under different initial conditions provides insight into
the diverse dynamics of harmonic oscillators.
1. Zero Initial Displacement and Non-Zero Initial Velocity
2. Non-Zero Initial Displacement and Zero Initial Velocity
3. Non-Zero Initial Displacement and Non-Zero Initial Velocity

Zero Initial Displacement and
Non-Zero Initial Velocity
Description: In this scenario, the oscillating object starts from its equilibrium
position but with a non-zero initial velocity. The initial displacement (x) is zero,
while the initial velocity (v) is non-zero.
Characteristics of Motion: Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is exhibited. The object

oscillates back and forth around the equilibrium position with a constant
amplitude.The frequency of oscillation (ω) remains constant.
The solution to the differential equation yields a sinusoidal function.
Examples include a mass attached to a spring released from an initial stretched

position or a pendulum set into motion.
Scenario 2: Non-Zero Initial
Displacement and Zero Initial Velocity
Description: In this scenario, the oscillating object starts with a non-zero initial displacement
but zero initial velocity.
The initial displacement (x) is non-zero, while the initial velocity (v) is zero.
Characteristics of Motion: The object undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM) with a
phase shift relative to Scenario 1. Similar to Scenario 1, the motion is periodic, with a
constant amplitude and frequency.
Mathematical Representation:
The solution to the differential equation yields a sinusoidal function, but with a phase shift
determined by the initial displacement.
Examples include releasing a mass attached to a spring from an initial compressed or

stretched position without any initial velocity.
Scenario 3: Non-Zero Initial Displacement
and Non-Zero Initial Velocity
Description: In this scenario, the oscillating object starts with both a non-zero initial
displacement and a non-zero initial velocity. The initial displacement (x) and initial
velocity (v) are both non-zero.
Characteristics of Motion: The object exhibits a combination of sinusoidal motion

and exponential decay (if damping is present). The amplitude, frequency, and
phase shift of the oscillation are determined by the initial conditions and system
properties.
Mathematical Representation: The solution to the differential equation is a

combination of sinusoidal functions and exponential decay terms.
Applications
Pendulum:
Mass-Spring System:
Electrical Circuits:
Molecular Vibrations:
Acoustic Systems:(music travels through harmonic motion)

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HARMONIC

• Restoring Force: A force that

• Equilibrium Position: The point

• Simple Harmonic Motion: A type

x: Denotes the displacement of

t: Represents time, indicating

k: Represents the stiffness or

1. Zero Initial Displacement and Non-Zero Initial Velocity

2. Non-Zero Initial Displacement and Zero Initial Velocity

3. Non-Zero Initial Displacement and Non-Zero Initial Velocity

Characteristics of Motion: Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is exhibited. The object

The solution to the differential equation yields a sinusoidal function.

Examples include a mass attached to a spring released from an initial stretched

Examples include releasing a mass attached to a spring from an initial compressed or

Characteristics of Motion: The object exhibits a combination of sinusoidal motion

Mathematical Representation: The solution to the differential equation is a

Acoustic Systems:(music travels through harmonic motion)

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