Synopsis:“Oscillations” and “Simple Harmonic Motions”(SHM)

Some Terminologies :
Periodic Motion: a motion ‘repeats exactly’ at regular intervals of time

Period (T): ‘minimum time interval’ between repetitive motions; SI unit : second (s)

Frequency (f or ): ‘number of repetitions’ in unit time (1s); SI unit:s-1 or Hz (hertz)

1 1
frequency   f  in Hz  
period T  in s 

2
Angular frequency  2  frequency    2  f 
T

• Simple Harmonic Motion [SHM]

• Periodic linear oscillatory motion about an 'equilibrium'['mean'] position

• could be a ‘Periodic small angular oscillatory motion’ about an axis or point

• SHM requires: (1) a ‘Restoring force’ -'Restoring force' tends to move the
'displaced ' particle towards 'mean position

(2) an ‘Inertial force’ – 'Inertial force' tends to 'take' the

'moving particle' beyond 'mean position'

In a SHM, ‘Restoring force ‘(F) [and hence ‘acceleration’] at any instant is :

(1) Directly proportional to displacement (‘y’ or ‘x’)

(2) Always directed ‘towards’ mean position - at ‘that’ instant.
F  y or   -y
F  k  y where k  ' force constant '

k
m     k  y  m    2  y   k  y    or k  m 2
m
Typical 'displacement ' Equation for in SHM :
y (t )  A sin (t   ) or y(t )  A cos(t   ) or y(t )  A sin (t )  B sin(t  

1
 2  2 
y (t )  A sin( t   )  y ( at t  0.6)  2sin  t 
T  1 6

T
A


y(t=0.6)

The uniform circular ‘rotatory’ motion of particle (P) about the ‘centre’ can be considered [
‘represented’ as] equivalent to TWO SHMs of two ‘imaginary particle(s)’ [ P1 & P2] with same ‘period’ (or
frequency)’ as of ‘P’. [ These ‘particles’ are the end-points of ‘projections’ of the ‘radius vector’ on two
mutually perpendicular diameters of the circle] (refer figure below.)

=t ; =2f
y=rs in (t+)
P2 P


r P1
x = r cos (t+)

Velocity and acceleration of the particle executing SHM:

displacement : y  A sin t    or x  A cos t   

dy dx
velocity :  A cos t   
v or v    A sin t   
dt dt
dv dv
acceleration     2 A sin t      2 y or     2 A cos t      2 y
dt dt
In SHM, the particle has (magnitude) maximum
(i) displacement at extreme positions ymax=Amplitude A
(ii) velocity at the mean position; vmax=  A,
(iii) acceleration at extreme positions max= 2A,
and minimum
(i) displacement=0
(ii) acceleration =0 at mean position
(iii) velocity =0 at extreme positions.
At any general position, distant x from mean position, magnitude of velocity =𝑣 = 𝜔√(𝐴2 − 𝑥 2 )

2
A spring (force constant or spring constant k) loaded with mass m has a natural frequency for SH oscillations with
𝑘 𝑚
angular frequency 𝜔 = √𝑚 , 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 𝑇 = 2𝜋√ 𝑘 , . instantaneous force follows Hooks law: F=-kx; has potential
1 1 1
energy𝑈 = 2 𝑘𝑥 2 ; maximum P.E (at extreme positions)=2 𝑘𝐴2 = 2 𝑚𝜔2 A2
1 1
Kinetic energy 𝐾. 𝐸. = 2 𝑚𝜔2 √𝐴2 − 𝑥 2  K.E.max = 2 𝑚𝜔2 A2 at the mean position
When a system of two springs (spring constants k1 &n k2) with a ‘common load (m)’ are connected
𝑘1𝑘2
(i) in series (i.e ‘one below the other) has ‘effective spring constant’ 𝑘 = 𝐾1+𝑘2 and oscillates with 𝜔 =
𝑘1𝑘2
√(𝐾1+𝑘2) , 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 𝑇 = 2𝜋 𝑚
𝑚 √( 𝑘1𝑘2 )
𝐾1+𝑘2

(ii) in parallel (i.e ‘one adjacent to the other) has ‘effective spring constant’ 𝑘 = 𝑘1 + 𝑘2 and oscillates with
(𝑘1+𝑘2) 𝑚
𝜔=√ 𝑚
, 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑 𝑇 = 2𝜋√(𝑘1+𝑘2)

ANGULAR SHM and angular simple harmonic oscillators:

An arrangement such as a simple pendulum made to oscillate in a vertical plane executes ‘angular SHM’.
(i) For an angular simple harmonic oscillator, angular displacement θ at any time is given as
 (t )  m cos t   
(ii) Now the angular speed at any instant of time will be given as.
d ( t ) d
   m cos t       m sin t   
dt dt
(iii) Similarly angular acceleration of an angular harmonic oscillator is given as.
d
 (t )      2 m cos t      2 (t )
dt

3
Angular SH Arrangement Torque eqn. Period (T) Ang.
oscillator Frequency()
Simple  = -mgL  𝐿 𝑔
T= 2𝜋√𝑔 =√𝐿
Pendulum

Compound  =- mgh 𝐼 𝑚𝑔
T=2𝜋√𝑚𝑔ℎ =√
Pendulum 𝐼

Torsion  =- C  𝐼 𝐶
Pendulum
T=2𝜋√𝐶 =√ 𝐼

Damped Simple Harmonic Motion

Up till now we have considered the ideal conditions where no resistance (like friction or drag force)
was present to the SHM. In real life any object in simple harmonic motion will experience resistance
due to force of friction or drag force from the medium (air or water etc.)
When the motion of oscillator is subjected to an external force that opposes the oscillatory motion,
(‘dragging force’), oscillator and its motion are said to be ‘damped’.

When the damped force 𝐹𝑑 is a drag force from water, air or any fluid, it is proportional to the velocity
of the object. i.e.,
b

cos t   
t
y (t )  Ae 2m

b
 t
A '(t )  Ae 2 m 
𝐹𝑑  − 𝑣 Its displacement equation is : \
damped amplitude decreases exponentially.
k b2
angular frequency:  = 
m 4m 2

Forced Oscillations and Resonance

If the applied force is oscillating in phase with the natural oscillation of the pendulum, the amplitude
becomes maximum; when =d, A=maximum. Such a condition is called ‘resonance’