Physics 101: Lecture 22

Simple Harmonic Motion

Todays lecture will cover Textbook Sections 10.4 - 10.6

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 1

Review: Ideal Springs

Hookes Law: The force exerted by a spring is

proportional to the distance the spring is stretched or
compressed from its relaxed position.
FX = -k x

Where x is the displacement from

the relaxed position and k is the
constant of proportionality.
(often called spring constant)

relaxed position
FX = - kx < 0

x>0

x=0
Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 2

Review: Simple Harmonic Motion

Uniform circular motion <-> Motion of an object attached to an ideal spring

Period = T (seconds per cycle)

Frequency = f = 1/T (cycles per second)
Angular frequency =

= 2f = 2/T

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 3

Simple Harmonic Motion:

Quick Review
x(t) = [A]cos(t)
v(t) = -[A]sin(t)
a(t) = -[A2]cos(t)

x(t) = [A]sin(t)

OR

v(t) = [A]cos(t)
a(t) = -[A2]sin(t)

xmax = A

Period = T (seconds per cycle)

vmax = A

Frequency = f = 1/T (cycles per second)

amax = A

Angular frequency =

= 2f = 2/T

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 4

Review: Period of a Spring

For simple harmonic oscillator

= 2f = 2/T

For mass M on spring with spring constant

k

k
m

T 2

m
k

Demos:
A,m,k dependence
Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 5

Concept Question
If the amplitude of the oscillation (same block and same spring) was
doubled, how would the period of the oscillation change? (The period is
the time it takes to make one complete oscillation)
1. The period of the oscillation would double.
2. The period of the oscillation would be halved
3. The period of the oscillation would stay the same
CORRECT

x
+2A
t
-2A

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 6

Potential Energy of a Spring

1 2
PES kx
2
Where x is measured from
the equilibrium position

m
x=0

PES

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 7

Same thing for a vertical spring:

y

PES

1 2
ky
2

Where y is measured from

the equilibrium position

y=0

m
PES

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 8

Concept Question
In Case 1 a mass on a spring oscillates back and forth. In Case 2, the
mass is doubled but the spring and the amplitude of the oscillation is the
same as in Case 1.
In which case is the maximum kinetic energy of the mass the biggest?
1. Case 1
2. Case 2
3. Same

CORRECT

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 10

Concept Question

PE = /2kx
KE = 0
1

x=-A

x=0

x=+A

PE = 0
KE = KEMAX

same
for both

same
for both

x=-A

x=0

x=+A

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 11

Pendulum
g

L
2
L
T
2

g
For small oscillation, period does not depend on
mass
amplitude

Demos:
M,A,L dependence
Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 13

Concept Question
Suppose a grandfather clock (a simple pendulum) runs slow. In order to
make it run on time you should:
CORRECT
1. Make the pendulum shorter
2. Make the pendulum longer

2
L
2

Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 14

Concept Question
A pendulum is hanging vertically from the ceiling of an elevator. Initially
the elevator is at rest and the period of the pendulum is T. Now the
pendulum accelerates upward. The period of the pendulum will now be
1. greater than T
2. equal to T
3. less than T
CORRECT

2
L
2

Effective g is larger when accelerating upward

(you feel heavier)
Physics 101: Lecture 22, Pg 15