Harmonic Motion

If an object repeats the same vibration or oscillation at regular time intervals, such vibrations
or oscillations are called as Harmonic Motion.
When you pluck a guitar string, the resulting sound has a steady tone and lasts a long time.
Each successive vibration of the string takes the same time as the previous one. We define
periodic motion to be a motion that repeats itself at regular time intervals, such as exhibited
by the guitar string or by an object on a spring moving up and down.
The time to complete one oscillation remains constant and is called the period T. Its units are
usually seconds, but may be any convenient unit of time. The word period refers to the time
for some event whether repetitive or not; but we shall be primarily interested in periodic
motion, which is by definition repetitive.
A concept closely related to period is the frequency of an event. For example, if you get a pay
check twice a month, the frequency of payment is two per month and the period between
checks is half a month. Frequency f is defined to be the number of events per unit time. For
periodic motion, frequency is the number of oscillations per unit time. The relationship
between frequency and period is,
1
f
T
The SI unit for frequency is the cycle per second, which is defined to be a hertz (Hz):
1 Hz

1 cycle
Sec.

or

1 Hz

1
s

A cycle is one complete oscillation. Note that a vibration can be a single or multiple events,
whereas oscillations are usually repetitive for a significant number of cycles.

Simple Harmonic Motion

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Motion of a pendulum
Motion of a mass hanging on the spring
Motion of a hydrometer at fluid tank
Motion of a mass on clamped wooden strip
Motion of pistons inside the engine of a vehicle
Vibration of guitar string

K. Suresh Senanayake
B.Sc. (Hons) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)

Definition: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

-x

+x

A form of periodic motion of a particle, etc., in which the acceleration is always directed
towards some equilibrium point and is proportional to the displacement from this point, is
called SHM.
Hence, the force always directed towards the opposite to the displacement,
F x
F k x

Where, k, is the corresponding force constant.

If the object attached to a spring and it is executed the SHM, then k is called the spring
constant.
By applying, F = ma, (Newtons 2 nd Law of Motion) towards point O (Equilibrium/ mean
position of the SHM);
k x ma
k
a x
m
a K x

Where;
to SHM.
Then,

k
2
m

and is the angular velocity of the circular motion which corresponds

a = - 2x

Equation of SHM

NOTE:
Any kind of motion of an object which satisfies the equation, a = -2x, then it can be
identified as SHM.
Acceleration Vs. Displacement of a SHM

a / m s-2

a = - 2 x
y = - m x

x/m

K. Suresh Senanayake
B.Sc. (Hons) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)

K. Suresh Senanayake
B.Sc. (Hons) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)

Graphical representation of SHM

Time Period (T): is defined as the time taken for one complete oscillation.
Frequency (f): is defined as the number of oscillations per unit time,
f=1/T
Angular frequency (): is defined by the equation, = 2 f. It is thus the rate of change of
angular displacement (measured in radians per sec)
Amplitude: The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.
Phase difference (): A measure of how much one wave is out of step with another wave, or
how much a wave particle is out of phase with another wave particle.

2x 2 t

{x =separation in the direction of wave motion between the 2 particles}

K. Suresh Senanayake
B.Sc. (Hons) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)

Graphs of x, v and a versus t for SHM

K. Suresh Senanayake
B.Sc. (Hons) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)