9.

1 Simple harmonic motion

9.1.1 Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
 is defined as a periodic motion without loss of energy in
which the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to
its displacement from the equilibrium position (fixed point)
and is directed towards the equilibrium position but in
CHAPTER 9: opposite direction of the displacement.
Simple harmonic motion OR mathematically,

(5 Hours) d 2x
a   2 x  (9.1)
dt 2
where a : accelerati on of the body
ω : angular ve locity(ang ular frequency)
x : displaceme nt from the equilibriu m position, O
1 4

Overview:  The angular frequency,  always constant thus

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) a  x
 The negative sign in the equation 9.1 indicates that the
direction of the acceleration, a is always opposite to the
SHM direction of the displacement, x.
SHM SHM SHM
systems  The equilibrium position is a position at which the body would
parameters equations graphs
come to rest if it were to lose all of its energy.
 Equation 9.1 is the hallmark of the linear SHM.
Amplitude Displacement Displacement-time Simple pendulum  Examples of SHM system are simple pendulum, horizontal and
Period Velocity Mass-spring on
Velocity-time vertical spring oscillations as shown inFigures 9.1a, 9.1b and
Frequency Acceleration Acceleration-time frictionless surface 9.1c. a
Kinetic energy Energy-displacement Mass on vertical Fs
Potential energy spring m
Total energy
x O x
Figure 9.1a
2 5

Learning Outcome:

9.1 Simple harmonic motion (SHM) (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
x 
 Explain SHM as periodic motion without loss of energy.

 Refresh on frequency and angular frequency: a
O Fs
2 m
  2f
T m  
x x O x
Fs a
 Use SHM equation:
Figure 9.1b Figure 9.1c
d 2x
a   2 x
dt 2
3 6

1
 9.1.2 Terminology in SHM  At time, t = 0 the object is at point M (Figure 9.2) and after time t
it moves to point N , therefore the expression for displacement,
Amplitude (A) x1 is given by x  A sin  where
 is defined as the maximum magnitude of the displacement 1 1 1     and   t
from the equilibrium position. x1  A sin t   
 Its unit is metre (m).
 In general the equation of displacement as a function of time
Period (T) in SHM is given by phase
 is defined as the time taken for one cycle. displacement from
 Its unit is second (s). equilibrium position x  A sin t     (9.2)
 Equation :
1
T
f Initial phase angle
amplitude (phase constant)
Frequency (f) angular time
 is defined as the number of cycles in one second.
frequency
 Its unit is hertz (Hz) :  The S.I. unit of displacement is metre (m).
1 Hz = 1 cycle s1 = 1 s1 Phase
 Equation :
  It is the time-varying quantity t    .
  2f OR f   Its unit is radian.
2 7 10

Learning Outcome: Initial phase angle (phase constant),

 It is indicate the starting point in SHM where the time, t = 0 s.
9.2 Kinematics of SHM (2 hours)
 If  =0 , the equation (9.4) can be written as
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: x  A sin t 
 Use SHM displacement equation, where the starting point of SHM is at the equilibrium position,
x  A sin t O.
 For examples:
 Derive and apply equations:
dx a. At t = 0 s, x = +A
 velocity, 2 2
v   A  x x  A sin t   
dt
 acceleration, dv d 2 x A  A sin 0   
a    2 x 
dt dt 2   rad
 kinetic energy, A O A 2
1
K 
m 2 A 2  x 2   
2 Equation : x  A sin  t   OR x  A cost 
 potential energy, 1  2
U m 2 x 2 8 11
2

b. At t = 0 s, x = A
9.2 Kinematics of SHM x  A sin t   
9.2.1 Displacement, x  A  A sin 0   
Uniform circular motion can be translated into linear SHM and 3 

 rad OR  rad
obtained a sinusoidal curve for displacement, x against angular A O A 2 2
displacement, graph as shown in Figure 9.2.
x Equation :  3  OR x  A sin  t   
x  A sin  t    
S   2   2
A
N x1 OR x   A cos t  
c. At t = 0 s, x = 0, but v = vmax
A M 
  vmax
 1
O P 0  1   3 2  (rad)
2 2 A O A
Equation :
A x  A sin t    OR x   A sin t 
Figure 9.2 T 9 12

2
9.2.2 Velocity, v 9.2.3 Acceleration, a
 From the definition of instantaneous velocity,  From the definition of instantaneous acceleration,
dx dv
v and x  A sin t    a and v  A cos t   
dt dt
d d
v   A sin( t   )  a   A cos(t   ) 
dt dt
d d
v  A sin( t   )  a  A cos(t   ) 
dt dt
v  A cos(t   ) (9.3) a   A 2 sin( t   ) (9.6)

 Eq. (9.3) is an equation of velocity as a function of time in SHM.  Eq. (9.6) is an equation of acceleration as a function of time in
 The maximum velocity, vmax occurs when cos( t+)=1 hence SHM.
 The maximum acceleration, amax occurs when sin( t+)=1
vmax  A (9.4) hence
a  A 2
max
(9.7)
13 16

 The S.I. unit of velocity in SHM is m s1.  The S.I. unit of acceleration in SHM is m s2.
 If  = 0 , equation (9.3) becomes  If  = 0 , equation (9.6) becomes
v  A cos t a   A  2 sin t
Relationship between velocity, v and displacement, x Relationship between acceleration, a and displacement, x
 From the eq. (9.3) :  From the eq. (9.6) :
v  A cos(t   ) (1) a   2 A sin( t   ) (1)
 From the eq. (9.2) :  From the eq. (9.2) :
x  A sin t    x  A sin t    (2)
x
sin t     (2)  By substituting eq. (2) into eq. (1), therefore
A
a   2 x
 From the trigonometry identical,
sin 2   cos 2   1 and   t   
cost     1  sin t   
2
(3)

14 17

 Caution :
 By substituting equations (3) and (2) into equation (1), thus  Some of the reference books use other general equation for
displacement in SHM such as
2
x x  A cost   
v  A 1    (9.8)
 A
 The equation of velocity in term of time, t becomes
 x2  dx
v   A2  A2  2  v   A sin( t   ) (9.9)
A  dt
 And the equation of acceleration in term of time, t becomes
v   A2  x2 (9.5)
dv
a   A 2 cos(t   ) (9.10)
dt

15 18

3
9.2.4 Energy in SHM Solution :
a. By comparing
Potential energy, U
 
 Consider the oscillation of a spring as a SHM hence the x  8 sin  3t   with x  A sin t   
potential energy for the spring is given by  2
1 thus
U  kx2 and k  m 2 i. A  8 cm
2 ii.   3 rad s 1 and   2f
1 2f  3
U  m 2 x 2 (9.11)
2 f  1.5 Hz
iii. The period of the motion is
 The potential energy in term of time, t is given by 1 1
1 f  1.5 
U  m 2 x 2 and x  A sin t    T T
2 T  0.667 s
1 iv. The phase constant is
U  m 2 A2 sin 2 t    (9.12) 
2   rad
19 2 22

Kinetic energy, K Solution :

 The kinetic energy of the object in SHM is given by b. i. Differentiating x respect to time, thus
1 2
K mv and v   A2  x 2 dx d    
2 v   8 sin  3t   
1 dt dt   2 
K  m 2  A 2  x 2  (9.13)  
2 v  83  cos 3t  
 The kinetic energy in term of time, t is given by  2
1 2  
K mv and v  A cost    v  24 cos 3t  
2  2
1
1 where v is in cm s and t is in seconds.
K  m 2 A2 cos 2 t    (9.14)
2

20 23

Example 9.1 : Solution :

An object executes SHM whose displacement x varies with time t b. ii. Differentiating v respect to time, thus
according to the relation
dv d    
  a   24 cos 3t   
x  8 sin  3t   dt dt   2 
 2
 
where x is in centimetres and t is in seconds. a  24 3  sin  3t  
Determine  2
a. the amplitude, frequency, period and phase constant of the   
motion,
a  72 2 sin  3t  
 2
b. the velocity and acceleration of the object at any time, t ,
c. the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the object at
where a is in cm s 2 and t is in seconds.
t = 2 s,
d. the maximum speed and maximum acceleration of the object.
21 24

4
Solution : Example 9.2 :
c. For t = 2 s A body hanging from one end of a vertical spring performs vertical
i. The displacement of the object is SHM. The distance between two points, at which the speed of the
 body is zero is 7.5 cm. If the time taken for the body to move

x  8 sin  3 2    between the two points is 0.17 s, Determine
 2 a. the amplitude of the motion,
x  8 cm b. the frequency of the motion,
ii. The velocity of the object is
c. the maximum acceleration of body in the motion.
 
v  24 cos 3 2    Solution :
 2 a. The amplitude is
v  0 cm s 1 7.5  10 2
A  3.75  10 2 m
OR v   A2  x 2 2
A b. The period of the motion is
2 2
 2  8    8  T  2t  20.17
7.5 cm O t  0.17 s
v  0 cm s 1 m T  0.34 s
25 A 28

Solution : Solution :
c. For t = 2 s b. Therefore the frequency of the motion is
iii. The acceleration of the object is 1 1
f  
  T 0.34
a  72 sin  3 2   
2

 2 f  2.94 Hz
a  72 2 cm s 2  711 cm s 2 c. From the equation of the maximum acceleration in SHM, hence
OR 2 amax  A 2 and   2f
a   x 2
amax  A2f 
 3  8
2

amax  
 3.75  10  2 2 2.94 
2

a  72 2 cm s 2  711 cm s 2
amax  12.8 m s 2

26 29

Solution : Example 9.3 :

d. i. The maximum speed of the object is given by An object of mass 450 g oscillates from a vertically hanging light
vmax  A spring once every 0.55 s. The oscillation of the mass-spring is
started by being compressed 10 cm from the equilibrium position
 83  and released.
v max  24 cm s 1 a. Write down the equation giving the object’s displacement as a
ii. The maximum acceleration of the object is function of time.
b. How long will the object take to get to the equilibrium position
amax   2 A for the first time?
 3  8
2 c. Calculate
i. the maximum speed of the object,
amax  72 2 cm s 2 ii. the maximum acceleration of the object.

27 30

5
 Solution : m  0.450 kg; T  0.55 s Example 9.4 :
a. The amplitude of the motion is A  10 cm An object of mass 50.0 g is connected to a spring with a force
The angular frequency of the oscillation is constant of 35.0 N m-1 oscillates on a horizontal frictionless surface
2 2 with an amplitude of 4.00 cm. Determine
 
T 0.55
10 cm m   11.4 rad s 1 a. the speed of the object when the position is 1.00 cm,
t 0
and the initial phase angle is given by b. the kinetic and potential energy when the position is 3.00 cm.
0 x  A sin t   
A  A sin  0   
 10 cm 
  rad
2
Therefore the equation of the displacement as a function of time is
x  A sin t   
 
x  10 sin 11.4t   OR x  10 cos11.4t 
 2
where x is in cm and t is in seconds. 31 34

Solution : m  0.450 kg; T  0.55 s Solution : m  50.0  10 3kg; k  35.0 N m 1 ; A  4.00 102 m
b. At the equilibrium position, x = 0 a. The speed of the object when x = 1.00 102 m
  T 0.55 k
x  10 sin 11.4t   OR t  v   A2  x 2 and  
 2 4 4 m
  k
0  10 sin 11.4t  
 2
t  0.138 s
v
m

A2  x 2 
 
11.4t    sin 0 
1
35.0  2 2 2 2 
 2 v   4.00 10   1.00 10  
  50.0 103  
11.4t    
 2 v  1.03 m s 1
t  0.138 s

32 35

Solution : m  0.450 kg; T  0.55 s Solution : m  50.0  10 3 kg; k  35.0 N m 1 ; A  4.00 102 m
c. i. The maximum speed of the object is b. The kinetic energy of the object when x = 3.00 102 m is
vmax  A 1
vmax  0.111.4 K
2
 
m 2 A 2  x 2 and k  m
2

1
vmax  1.14 m s 1
ii. The maximum acceleration of the object is

K  k A2  x 2
2

a max  A 2 1
 2
 
K  35.0  4.00 10  2  3.00  10 2
2

2

amax  0.111.4 
2

2 K  1.23  10 2 J
a max  13.0 m s
and the potential energy of the object when x = 3.00 102 m is
1 2 1
U
2
kx U
2

35.0  3.00 10 2 
2

U  1.58 10 2 J
33 36

6
Exercise 9.1 :
1. A mass which hangs from the end of a vertical helical spring is 9.3 Graphs of SHM
in SHM of amplitude 2.0 cm. If three complete oscillations take 9.3.1 Graph of displacement-time (x-t)
4.0 s, determine the acceleration of the mass  From the general equation of displacement as a function of time
a. at the equilibrium position, in SHM, x  A sin t    
b. when the displacement is maximum.
ANS. : U think ; 44.4 cm s2  If  = 0 , thus x  A sin t  
2. A body of mass 2.0 kg moves in simple harmonic motion. The  The displacement-time graph is shown in Figure 9.3.
x
displacement x from the equilibrium position at time t is given by Period
A
 
x  6.0 sin 2 t  
 6 Amplitude
where x is in metres and t is in seconds. Determine
a. the amplitude, period and phase angle of the SHM. 0 T T 3T T t
b. the maximum acceleration of the motion. 4 2 4
c. the kinetic energy of the body at time t = 5 s. A

ANS. : 6.0 m, 1.0 s, rad ; 24.0 2 m s2; 355 J 37
Figure 9.3 40
3

3. A horizontal plate is vibrating vertically with SHM at a frequency

 For examples:
of 20 Hz. What is the amplitude of vibration so that the fine sand
on the plate always remain in contact with it? a. At t = 0 s, x = +A
Equation: x  A sin  t

ANS. : 6.21104 m   OR x  A cost 
4. An object of mass 2.1 kg is executing simple harmonic motion,
Graph of x against t:  2
attached to a spring with spring constant k = 280 N m1. When
the object is 0.020 m from its equilibrium position, it is moving x
with a speed of 0.55 m s1. Calculate A
a. the amplitude of the motion.
b. the maximum velocity attained by the object.
ANS. : 5.17102 m; 0.597 m s1
0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
A

38 41

Learning Outcome: b. At t = 0 s, x = A 
 3  
Equation: x  A sin   t   OR x  A sin  t  
9.3 Graphs of SHM (2 hours)  2   2
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: OR x   A cost 
 Sketch, interpret and distinguish the following graphs: Graph of x against t:
 displacement - time x
 velocity - time A
 acceleration - time
 energy - displacement
0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
A

39 42

7
 c. At t = 0 s, x = 0, but v = vmax 9.3.2 Graph of velocity-time (v-t)
Equation: x  A sin t    OR x   A sin t   From the general equation of velocity as a function of time in

Graph of x against t:
SHM, 
v  A cos t   
x  If  = 0 , thus v  A cos t  
A  The velocity-time graph is shown in Figure 9.4.
v
A

0 T T 3T T t
4 2 4
0 T T 3T T t
A 4 2 4
 A
Figure 9.4

43 46

How to sketch the x against t graph when  0 9.3.3 Graph of acceleration-time (a-t)
Sketch the x against t graph for the following expression:  From the general equation of acceleration as a function of time
 π
x  2 cm sin  2t  
in SHM, a   A 2 sin t   
 From the expression,
 2  If  = 0 , thus a   A sin t
2
 
 The acceleration-time graph is shown in Figure 9.5.
 the amplitude, A  2 cm

 the angular frequency,   2

2 1
T  1s
a
rad s 
T A 2
 Sketch the x against t graph for equation x  2 sin 2t 
x (cm)
2 T 0 T t
T 3T T
4 4 2 4
0 t (s )
0 .5 1  A 2
2 Figure 9.5
44 47

 Because of  T 9.3.4 Graph of energy-displacement (E-x)

 rad  t  hence shift the y-axis to the
2 4 right by T  From the equations of kinetic, potential and total energies as a
term of displacement
 Sketch the new graph. 4 1 1
x (cm) K 
m 2 A 2  x 2  ; U  12 m 2
x 2 and E 
2
m 2 A2
2
2 thus the graph of energy against displacement (a-x) is shown
in Figure 9.6. E 1
0 t (s ) E m 2 A 2  constant
0 .5 1 2
 2 1
RULES U m 2 x 2
If  = negative value
2
1
shift the y-axis to the left Figure 9.6 K  m 2 A 2  x 2 
2
If  = positive value
x
shift the y-axis to the right
45 48

8
Example 9.5 : Example 9.6 :
The displacement of an oscillating object as a function of time is x(m )
shown in Figure 9.7.
x ( cm ) 0 .2

15 . 0
0 t (s )
1 2 3 4 5
0 t ( s)
0 .8  0 .2
Figure 9.8
 15 . 0
Figure 9.7 Figure 9.8 shows the displacement of an oscillating object of mass
From the graph above, determine for these oscillations 1.30 kg varying with time. The energy of the oscillating object
a. the amplitude, the period and the frequency, consists the kinetic and potential energies. Calculate the angular
b. the angular frequency, frequency of the oscillation.
c. the equation of displacement as a function of time,
d. the equation of velocity and acceleration as a function of time.
49 52

Solution : Solution : m  1 .30 kg

a. From the graph, From the graph,
Amplitude, A  0.15 m Amplitude, A  0.2 m
Period, T  0.8 s Period, T  4 s
Frequency, 1 1 The angular frequency is given by
f  
T 0 .8 2 2
 
f  1.25 Hz T 4
b. The angular frequency of the oscillation is given by 
2 2   rad s 1
  2
T 0 .8
  2.5 rad s 1
c. From the graph, when t = 0, x = 0 thus   0
By applying the general equation of displacement in SHM
x  A sin t    x  0.15 sin 2.5t 
where x is in metres and t is in seconds.
50 53

Solution : 9.3.5 Phase difference, 

d. i. The equation of velocity as a function of time is
 Considering two SHM with the following equations,
dx d
v  0.15 sin 2.5t  x1  A1 sin 1t  1 
dt dt
x2  A2 sin 2t  2 
v  0.152.5  cos 2.5t
v  0.375 cos 2.5t  is defined as   phase 2   phase 1 
where v is in m s 1 and t is in seconds.    2t  2   1t  1 
 For examples,
ii. and the equation of acceleration as a function of time is
a. x
dv d
a  0.375 cos 2.5t  A x2  A cost 
dt dt x2 OR
a  0.375 2.5 sin 2.5t  
x2  A sin  t  
a  0.938 2 sin 2.5t 0 T T t  2
where a is in m s 2 and t is in seconds. 2 x1 x1  A sin t 
A
51 54

9
  Thus the phase difference is given by Example 9.7 :
x ( cm )
 
Δ   t    t 
 2 4

Δ  rad
2 0 1 .0 2 .0 3 .0 t (s )
 If  > 0 , hence
x2 leads the x1 by phase difference ½ rad
4
and constant with time.
Figure 9.9
b. x Figure 9.9 shows the variation of displacement, x with time, t for an
A x2   A cost  object in SHM.
OR a. Determine the amplitude, period and frequency of the motion.
  b. Another SHM leads the SHM above by phase difference of
0 T T t x2  A sin  t  2  0.5 radian where the amplitude and period of both SHM are
2 x1 x1  A sin t  the same. On the same axes, sketch the displacement, x against
A time, t graph for both SHM.
x2 55 58

 Thus the phase difference is given by Solution :

  a. From the graph,
Δ   t    t  Amplitude, A  4 cm
 2
 Period, T  2.0 s
Δ   rad The frequency is given by
2 1 1
 If  < 0 , hence f  
x2 lags behind the x1 by phase difference T 2.0
½ rad and constant with time. f  0.5 Hz
c. x b. Equation for 1st SHM (from the graph):

x2   A sin t  x1  A sin t   

A
x2 OR x1  A sin 2ft   
x2  A sin t     
0 t x1  4 sin  t  
T T  2
2 x1 x1  A sin t 
A
56 59

 Thus the phase difference is given by Solution :

Δ  t     t  b. The 2nd SHM leads the 1st SHM by the phase difference of 0.5
Δ   rad radian thus Δ    rad
 If  = ± , hence 2
x2 is antiphase with the x1 and constant with  
Δ  t      t  
time.  2
x   
d.  t      t      rad
A x2  A sin t  2  2
x1  A sin t  Equation for 2nd SHM : x2  4 sin t   
x2 x (cm )
The phase difference is
0 t 4 x1
T T Δ  t   t 
2 x1 Δ  0
A x2
0 t (s )
 If  = 0 , hence 1 .0 2 .0 3.0
x2 is in phase with the x1 and constant with
time.
57 4 60

10
Learning Outcome:  The negative sign shows that the restoring force, Fs is
always against the direction of increasing x.
9.4 Period of simple harmonic motion (1 hour)  For small angle, ;
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:  sin    in radian
 Derive and use expression for period of SHM, T for
 arc length, x of the bob becomes straight line (shown in
simple pendulum and single spring.
Figure 9.11) then
 Simple pendulum oscillation:
x
l sin   
T  2 l
g  l
x
 Single spring oscillation: thus Fs   mg  
l
m
T  2 x
k Figure 9.11

61 64

9.4 Period of SHM  By applying Newton’s second law of motion,

9.4.1 Simple pendulum oscillation  F  ma  F s

 Figure 9.10 shows the oscillation of the simple pendulum of mgx

ma  
length, l. L
g
a    x
l
Thus a  x Simple pendulum executes
linear SHM
l
  g
 By comparing a    x with a   2 x
T l
x m P g 2
O Thus 2  and 
mg sin  mg cos  l T
Figure 9.10


mg 62 65

 A pendulum bob is pulled slightly to point P.

 The string makes an angle,  to the vertical and the arc length,
l
x as shown in Figure 9.10. Therefore T  2 (9.15)
g
 The forces act on the bob are mg, weight and T, the tension in
the string. where T : period of the simple pendulum
 Resolve the weight into l : length of the string
 the tangential component : mg sin  g : gravitatio nal accelerati on
 The conditions for the simple pendulum executes SHM are
 the radial component : mg cos 
 the angle,  has to be small (less than 10).
 The resultant force in the radial direction provides the
centripetal force which enables the bob to move along the arc  the string has to be inelastic and light.
and is given by mv 2  only the gravitational force and tension in the string acting
T  mg cos   on the simple pendulum.
r
 The restoring force, Fs contributed by the tangential
component of the weight pulls the bob back to equilibrium
position. Thus F  mg sin 
s
63 66

11
 9.4.2 Single spring oscillation
k
Vertical spring oscillation  By comparing a    x with a   2 x
m
k 2
2  and  
Thus m T
 
F F1 where (9.16)
x1 m T : period of the spring oscillatio n
Therefore T  2
O
x
O  k m : mass of the object
m a k : spring constant (force constant)
m  The conditions for the spring-mass system executes SHM are
  The elastic limit of the spring is not exceeded when the
mg
 spring is being pulled.
mg  The spring is light and obeys Hooke’s law.
Figure 9.12a Figure 9.12b Figure 9.12c  No air resistance and surface friction.

67 70

 Figure 9.12a shows a free light spring with spring constant, k Example 9.8 :
hung vertically. A certain simple pendulum makes 20 oscillations in 15 seconds on
 An object of mass, m is tied to the lower end of the spring as Earth surface’s. Determine the period of the simple pendulum on
shown in Figure 9.12b. When the object achieves an equilibrium Mars surface’s where its gravitational acceleration is 3.71 m s2.
condition, the spring is stretched by an amount x1 . Thus (Given the gravitational acceleration on the Earth’s surface is
F 0 F W  0 g = 9.81 m s2)
 kx1  W  0 Solution : t 20  15 s; g E  9.81 m s  2 ; g M  3.71 m s 2
W   kx1 t 20 15
 The object is then pulled downwards to a distance, x and TE    0.75 s
released as shown in Figure 9.12c. Hence 20 20
 F  ma The period of simple pendulum on Earth’s surface is
F1  W  ma and F1   k x1  x  l
TE  2 (1)
 k  x1  x    kx1   ma gE
k
a    x But its period on the surface of Mars is given by
m l
then a  x Vertical spring oscillation executes TM  2 (2)
linear SHM 68 gM 71

 
a Fs
m
Horizontal spring oscillation Solution : TE  0.75 s; g E  9.81 m s 2 ; g M  3.71 m s 2
 Figure 9.17 shows a spring is  t 0 By dividing eqs. (1) and (2), thus
initially stretched with a Fs  0
displacement, x = A and then
l
m 2
released. T TE gE
  t 
 According to Hooke’s law,
Fs a 4 TM l
Fs   kx 2
 The mass accelerates toward
m gM
T
equilibrium position, x = 0 by  t TE gM
the restoring force, Fs hence Fs  0 2 
Fs  ma m TM gE
ma  kx 3T
 t 4 0.75 3.71
k
a    x
a Fs

TM 9.81
Then
 m m
executes TM  1.22 s
a  x linear SHM t T
Figure 9.13 x   A x0 x  A69 72

12
Example 9.9 : Solution : f1  0.88 Hz; f 2  0.48 Hz; Δm  1.25 kg
The length of a simple pendulum is 75.0 cm and it is released at an By dividing eqs. (1) and (2), thus
angle 8 to the vertical. Calculate 1 k
a. the period of the oscillation, f1
 2 m
b. the pendulum’s bob speed and acceleration when it passes
through the lowest point of the swing.
f2 1 k
(Given g = 9.81 m s2) 2 m  Δm
Solution : f1 m  Δm
A 
 sin 8 f2 m
L L
A  L sin 8 0.88 m  1.25
8 
0.48 m
A
m m  0.529 kg
A O A 73 76

Summary :
t x v a K U
amax
 1 2
Solution : L  0.75 m;   8 0 A 0  A 2
0 kA
 max 2
a. The frequency of the simple pendulum oscillation is
vmax
L T
T  2 0  A 0
1
mA2 2 0
g 2 2
4 2
amax v A x
0.75
 2 T  1.74 s a   2 x T 1 2
9.81  max 1 A 0 A 2 0 kA
K  mv 2 2 2
b. At the lowest point, the speed of the pendulum’s bob is 2
 vmax
maximum hence vmax  A and A  L sin 8 1 3T 1
 2  U  kx2 0 A 0 mA2 2 0
 L sin 8   4 2
 2
 T  amax
 2 
 0.75 sin 8   1 2
T A 0  A 2 0 kA
 2
1.74
v max  0.378 m s 1    max
2
and its acceleration, a  0 m s 74 A O A 77

Example 9.10 :
A mass m at the end of a spring vibrates with a frequency of
0.88 Hz. When an additional mass of 1.25 kg is added to the mass
m, the frequency is 0.48 Hz. Calculate the value of m.
Solution : f1  0.88 Hz; f 2  0.48 Hz; Δm  1.25 kg
The frequency of the spring is given by
1 m
f1  and T1  2
T1 k
1 k
f1  (1)
2 m
After the additional mass is added to the m, the frequency of the
spring becomes
1 k
f2  (2)
2 m  Δm
75

13