back the particle to the mean position is given by

F = m 2 y
or

F = k y

The constant k = m 2, is called force constant or spring constant.

Its unit is N m1. The restoring force is directed towards the mean
position.
Thus, simple harmonic motion is defined as oscillatory motion about
a fixed point in which the restoring force is always proportional to the
displacement and directed always towards that fixed point.
6.1.1

The projection of uniform circular motion on a diameter

is SHM
Y

Consider a particle moving along the

circumference of a circle of radius a and
P
N
centre O, with uniform speed v, in
a
anticlockwise direction as shown in Fig. 6.2.
X
Let XX and YY be the two perpendicular X
O
diameters.
Suppose the particle is at P after a time
t. If is the angular velocity, then the angular
displacement in time t is given by = t.
Y
From P draw PN perpendicular to YY . As
Fig. 6.2 Projection of
the particle moves from X to Y, foot of the
uniform circular motion
perpendicular N moves from O to Y. As it
moves further from Y to X , then from X to Y and back again to X, the
point N moves from Y to O, from O to Y and back again to O. When
the particle completes one revolution along the circumference, the point
N completes one vibration about the mean position O. The motion of the
point N along the diameter YY is simple harmonic.
/

Hence, the projection of a uniform circular motion on a diameter of

a circle is simple harmonic motion.
Displacement in SHM
The distance travelled by the vibrating particle at any instant of
time t from its mean position is known as displacement. When the
particle is at P, the displacement of the particle along Y axis is y
(Fig. 6.3).
2