GE T1 - Mechanics

OSCILLATIONS
Lecture 4
 Energies of a particle executing SHM
While discussing the motion of simple oscillatory
systems, it is found that the energy of the
oscillation alternates between potential and
kinetic forms; the potential energy being
minimum at the mean position and maximum at
the extremities. On the other hand, the kinetic
energy is maximum at the mean position and
minimum at the extremities. While the sum of
potential energy (EP) and kinetic energy (EK),
which is the total mechanical energy (E) of the
oscillator, remains constant.

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 Kinetic Energy
The kinetic energy of a particle executing SHM is entirely associated with the moving object. Its
1 2
value depends on how fast the object is moving, i.e., on v(t). Hence, =
2

The displacement of a particle executing SHM is given by ( ) = ( + )

Differentiating w.r.t. t, velocity of the particle can be obtained as ( ) = ( + )

1 2 1 2 2 2
Thus, kinetic energy at the instant t, = 2 =2 ( + )

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 Average Kinetic Energy of the particle in one
complete oscillation is defined as

on simplification (do yourself)

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 Potential Energy
When the particle has a displacement x, its potential energy is the work done in overcoming the
2
force through the distance x. Now the force acting on the particle at that instant = . So
2
the work done for a further small displacement =

Therefore, work done for the whole displacement x = potential energy of the particle at x

2
1 2 2
1 2 2 2
= = = ( + )
0 2 2

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 Average Potential Energy of the particle in
one complete oscillation is defined as

on simplification (do yourself)

Both the relations show that

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 Total Mechanical Energy
The total mechanical energy at any particular
instant,

Thus, the total mechanical energy of the

particle executing SHM is indeed a constant
and is independent of time.
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 Potential energy, kinetic energy and total
energy as functions of time, for SHM

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 Potential energy, kinetic energy and total
energy as functions of position, for SHM

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