Final, Spring 2023-24

Periodic Motion (Oscillation)

(University Physics, 13th edition, Chapter 14 )

❑ 5 lectures (2.5 weeks, 5 hours) on this chapter:

Lecture 13: Periodic motion and its basic quantities: amplitude, cycle, time period,
frequency, angular frequency.
Lecture 14 & 15: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) and its basic equations, importance
of SHM. Displacement, velocity and acceleration of SHM, related problems.
Lecture 16 & 17: Energy in SHM and related problems, Applications of SHM: Simple
Pendulum, Damped Oscillation and related problems. Review on Theories and
discussion on Practice Problems.

Quiz 3 will be on this Chapter

Periodic Motion
 Periodic Motion

• Many kinds of motions repeat themselves over and over: a rocking chair, a bouncing
ball, a vibrating tuning fork, a swing in motion, the Earth in its orbit around the Sun,
a water wave, etc. This kind of motion is called periodic motion or oscillation.
• A body that undergoes periodic motion always has a stable equilibrium position.
• When it is moved away from the equilibrium position, a force or torque comes into
play to pull it back to the equilibrium position.
• But by the time it gets there (equilibrium), it has picked up some kinetic energy, so it
overshoots, stopping somewhere on the other side and is again pulled back toward
equilibrium. See Fig. 14.2 in the next page and try to understand.
• Understanding periodic motion will be essential for our study of waves (sound, light,
etc.).
 -A O A

Basic Quantities of Periodic Motion: x(t)

• Amplitude: the maximum displacement from the equilibrium, A (it is

always positive).
• Cycle: one complete round trip (from A to –A and back to A through o or
o to A, back through o to -A, and back to o). Half cycle: one side to
another (say, A to - A).
• Time Period: time to complete one cycle. Symbol: T, unit: second.
• Frequency: number of cycle per second. Symbol: f, unit: cycle/s or hertz.
• Angular Frequency/ Angular Speed: angular displacement per second.
Symbol: ω (omega), unit: rad/s.
1 2𝜋
• Relationship: 𝑓= 𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑓 =
𝑇 𝑇
Check Point!
14.2 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
• SHM is the special kind of periodic motion in which the
restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement.
This happen if the spring is an ideal one that obeys Hooke’s
law:

𝐹𝑥 = −𝑘𝑥 [ K= Spring constant]

𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −𝑘𝑥
𝑘
𝑎𝑥 = − 𝑥
𝑚
𝑎𝑥 = −𝜔2 𝑥
𝑘
𝑎𝑥 ∝ −𝑥 [𝜔2 = = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡]
𝑚

• The minus sign means acceleration and displacement always

have opposite signs. A body that undergoes SHM is called
harmonic oscillator.
❑ Why SHM is important?
• Not all periodic motions are simple harmonic;
in periodic motion in general, the restoring
force depends on displacement in more
complicated way than the Hooke’s law.
• If the amplitude is small enough the
oscillations of a periodic system are
approximately SHM.
• We can use SHM as an approximate model for
many different periodic motion: vibration of
quartz crystal in a watch, the motion of a
tuning fork, the electric current in an AC
circuit, the oscillations of atoms in molecules
and solids, etc.
❑ Uniform Circular Motion and Equations of SHM:

➢ SHM is the projection of uniform circular motion onto the diameter.

• Displacement of the point P: 𝑥 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
• Centripetal acceleration of the ball Q:
𝑎𝑄 = 𝜔2 𝐴 [A= radius of the circle]
𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝜔 = 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
• Acceleration of the projection point P:
𝑎𝑥 = −𝑎𝑄 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = −𝜔2 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = −𝜔2 𝑥
• The acceleration of the point P is directly proportional to
the displacement x (=𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) and always has the
opposite sign like the SHM.
• 𝜔 = angular speed for Q = angular frequency for P
• If point Q makes one complete revolution in time T, then
point P goes through one complete cycle of oscillation in
the same time T. Thus, we get
2𝜋
𝜔= = 2𝜋𝑓
𝑇
Equations of SHM:
• Angular frequency of a harmonic oscillator of mass m and spring constant k:
𝑘
𝜔=
𝑚
𝜔 1 𝑘
• Frequency: 𝑓 = =
2𝜋 2𝜋 𝑚
1 2𝜋 𝑚
• Time Period: 𝑇= = = 2𝜋
𝑓 𝜔 𝑘
• A larger mass m, with its greater inertia, will have less acceleration, move
more slowly, and take a longer time for complete cycle.
• In contrast, a stiffer spring (one with a large force constant k) exerts a greater
force at a given deformation x, causing greater acceleration, higher frequency
and a shorter time period T.
 Check Point!

❑ Consider a harmonic oscillator with mass 50 g and force

constant 2000 N/m. Calculate the angular frequency,
frequency and time period of the oscillator. If you change
the mass by 100 g what would be the values. Also, if the
force constant change by 1000 N/m for 50 g oscillator what
would be the values? Compare the results and make your
comments.
❑ Displacement in SHM y
t
• Angular displacement is measured from (positive) A t=0
x axis in the counter-clockwise direction. 𝜃
𝜑
• At the starting time t=0, angular displacement 𝑥 𝑡
x
from x axis is 𝜑.
• At a later time t, angular displacement from x axis
is 𝜃.
𝜃−𝜑
• Angular Speed, 𝜔 = , thus 𝜃 = 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
𝑡
• Displacement of the oscillator
𝒙 𝒕 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝎𝒕 + 𝝋
• 𝜑 is called phase angle. Figure shows
displacement vs time graph for the same harmonic
oscillator with different phase angles.
❑ Velocity and Acceleration in SHM
𝑑𝑥
• Velocity: 𝑣 𝑡 = = −𝐴𝜔𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
𝑑𝑡
• Velocity v(t) oscillates between: 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐴𝜔 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −𝐴𝜔.
𝑑𝑣
• Acceleration: 𝑎 𝑡 = = −𝐴𝜔2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
𝑑𝑡
• Acceleration a(t) oscillates between: 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐴𝜔2 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −𝐴𝜔2 .
Do you
understand?
❑ What is the magnitude of maximum acceleration of a platform that
oscillates at amplitude 2.20 cm and frequency 6.60 Hz?

Solution:
A = 2.20 cm = 0.0220 m, f = 6.60 Hz

a(t) = - ω2 A cos (ωt + φ)

For maximum acceleration,

am= ω2A = (2πf )2 A = 2π( 6.60)2( 0.0220 m) = 37.8 m/s2
❑ An oscillator consists of a block of mass 0.500 kg connected to a spring. When set into
oscillation with amplitude 35.0 cm, the oscillator repeats its motion every 0.500 s. Find the (a)
period, (b) frequency, (c) angular frequency, (d) spring constant, (e) maximum speed, and (f)
magnitude of the maximum force on the block from the spring.

Given: m =0.500 kg
A= xm=35.0 cm = 0.35 m
T = 0.500 s
(a) T = 0.500 s
1 1
(b) f = = = 2.00 Hz [ /s]
𝑇 0.500
(c) ω = 2πf = 2π(2.00) = 12.6 rad/s
𝑘
(d) ω = .
𝑚
k = m ω2 = (0.500)(12.6)2 = 79.0 N/m
(e) v(t) = - ωAsin (ωt + φ)
vm = ωA = (12.6)(0.350) = 4.40 m/s
(f) F = - k x
Fs = kA = (79.0)(0.350) = 27.6 N
Newton’s third law, Fs = Fm = 27.6 N
14.3 Energy in SHM
The force exerted by an ideal spring is a conservative force so the total
mechanical energy is conserved. We also assume that the mass of the
spring itself is negligible.

Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy = constant

E = K(t) + U(t) = Constant
➢Potential Energy
The potential energy of a linear oscillator like that of Fig. is associated entirely
with the spring. Its value depends on how much the spring is stretched or
compressed, that is, on x(t). We know,
1 2 1 2
𝑈 𝑡 = 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑘𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
2 2
[𝑥 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑)]
➢Kinetic Energy
The kinetic energy of the system of Figure (a) is associated entirely with the
block. Its value depends on how fast the block is moving—that is, on v(t).

1 1
We find, 𝐾 𝑡 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑚 −𝜔𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑) 2
2 2
1
= 𝑚𝜔2 𝐴2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
2
1 2 2
= 𝑘𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
2
2 𝑘
[𝑣 𝑡 = −ω𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑) and 𝜔 = ]
𝑚
❑Mechanical Energy

The mechanical energy,

1 1 1
𝐸 =𝑈 𝑡 +𝐾 𝑡 = 𝑘𝐴2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑 + 𝑘𝐴2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑 = 𝑘𝐴2
2 2 2

[𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = 1]
𝟏
𝑬= 𝒌𝑨𝟐
𝟐

➢The mechanical energy of a linear oscillator is indeed constant and

independent of time.
Do you
understand?
Interpreting E, K and U in SHM
❑ An oscillating block–spring system has a mechanical energy of 1.00 J, an amplitude of 10.0 cm, and a
maximum speed of 1.20 m/s. Find (a) the spring constant,(b) the mass of the block, and (c) the
frequency of oscillation.
Here, E = 1.00 J
A = 10.0 cm = 0.100 m
vm= = 1.20 m/s
𝟏
(a) 𝑬 = 𝟐 𝒌𝑨𝟐
𝟐𝑬 𝟐 (𝟏.𝟎𝟎)
k= =
𝑨𝟐 (0.100)2 = 200 N/m
𝟏 𝟏
(b) E = K + U = mv2 + kx2
𝟐 𝟐
The maximum speed, vm is at the relaxed state, x = 0.
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
E = mvm2 + k(0)2 = mvm2
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟐𝑬 𝟐 (𝟏.𝟎𝟎)
m=
v2m = (1.20)2 = 1.39 kg

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒌 𝟏 𝟐𝟎𝟎
(c ) f = T = = = = 1.91 Hz [/s]
2π 𝒎 2π 𝒎 2π 𝟏.𝟑𝟗
𝒌
𝒎
[T = 2 π ]
𝒌
❑ A 5.00 kg object on a horizontal frictionless surface is attached to a spring with k = 1000 N/m. The
object is displaced from equilibrium 50.0 cm horizontally and given an initial velocity of 10.0 m/s back
toward the equilibrium position. What are (a) the motion’s frequency, (b) the initial potential energy of
the block–spring system,(c) the initial kinetic energy, and (d) the motion’s amplitude?

Given:
m = 5.00 kg
k = 1000 N/m
xi = 50.0 cm = 0.500 m
vi = 10.0 m/s
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒌 𝟏 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
f= = = = = 2.25 Hz
T 2π 𝒎 2π 𝒎 2π 𝟓.𝟎𝟎
𝒌

xi = 50 cm = 0.5 m
𝒎 𝟏 𝟏 A= xm = 86.6 cm vi = 10.0 m/s
[T=2π ] 𝒌𝑨𝟐 = 𝒎𝒗𝟐 + 𝒌𝒙𝟐
𝒌 𝟐 𝟐
Application of SHM: The Simple Pendulum
• Restoring Force: 𝐹𝜃 = −𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ −𝑚𝑔𝜃 [for small 𝜃]
𝑥 𝑚𝑔
𝐹𝜃 = −𝑚𝑔 = − 𝑥
𝐿 𝐿
• Comparing with Hooke’s law (F=-kx) we get the spring
constant
𝑚𝑔
𝑘=
𝐿
𝑘 𝑔
• Angular frequency: 𝜔 = =
𝑚 𝐿

𝜔 1 𝑔
• Frequency: 𝑓 = =
2𝜋 2𝜋 𝐿

2𝜋 𝐿
• Time Period: 𝑇 = = 2𝜋
𝜔 𝑔
Check Point!
14.7 Damped Oscillation:
• Real world system always have some dissipative
(damping) force, however, and oscillations die out
with time unless we replace the dissipated
mechanical energy. The decrease in amplitude
caused by dissipative force is called damping, and
the corresponding motion is called damped
oscillation.
σ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
−𝑘𝑥 − 𝑏𝑣𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑2 𝑥
−𝑘𝑥 − 𝑏 =𝑚 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
• This is differential equation of x and its solution gives
the displacement for damped oscillator.
• For small damping force, the displacement equation can be found as
𝒃
− 𝒕
𝒙 𝒕 = 𝑨ⅇ 𝟐𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝎′ 𝒕 + 𝝋
𝒙 𝒕 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝎𝒕 + 𝝋
𝑏 2
− 𝑡 k b
Amplitude: 𝐴𝑒 2𝑚 Angular Frequency: ω′ = −
m 2m

Figure: The amplitude decreases exponentially with time.

❑ Mechanical Energy of Damped Oscillation
2
1 1 −
𝑏 1 2 − 𝑏
𝐸 = 𝑘 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 2 ≈ 𝑘 𝐴𝑒 2𝑚 𝑡 ≈ 𝑘𝐴 𝑒 𝑚 𝑡
2 2 2

➢The mechanical energy of damped oscillation is not constant but

decreases continuously, approaching zero after a long time. Because
damping force is nonconservative.
❑ Comparison between Damped Oscillation and SHM:
• Amplitude: not constant like the SHM
but varies exponentially over time. Fig.
shows that the larger the value of b, the
more quickly the amplitude decreases.
• Angular Frequency: ω′ is no longer
equal to the angular frequency of SHM,
𝑘
𝜔= , but is somewhat smaller.
𝑚
• Mechanical Energy: is not constant like
the SHM but decreases continuously. Figure: Graph of displacement versus time
for an oscillator with little damping and
with phase angle 𝜑 = 0.
❑Problem: For the damped oscillator system shown in Fig., with m = 250 g, k
= 85 N/m, and b = 70 g/s, what is the ratio of the oscillation amplitude at the
end of 20 cycles to the initial oscillation amplitude?
Here, m = 250 g= 0.250 kg
k = 85 N/m
b = 70 g/s = 0.070 kg/s

• The displacement of the damped oscillation is Fs

𝒃
𝒙 𝒕 = 𝑨ⅇ
− 𝟐𝒎 𝒕
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝝎′ 𝒕 + 𝝋 x
• Let the time period is 𝑇 ′ . So, time for 20 cycles, t = 20 𝑇 ′
−
b
t
𝑏
− 2𝑚 20𝑇 ′
𝑏
− 𝑚 10𝑇 ′
rod Fd
Amplitude = Ae 2m = A𝑒 = 𝐴e
• At t = 0, v
b b
− t − 0
Amplitude = A e 2m =A e 2m = A e−0 = A (1) = A
𝒃
− 𝒎 𝟏𝟎𝑻′ 𝒃
𝑨ⅇ − 𝒎 𝟏𝟎𝑻′
Ratio of amplitudes = = ⅇ
𝑨
 k b2 85 0.070 2
ω′ = − = − = 18.44 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
m 4m2 0.250 4 0.250 2

2𝜋
𝑇′ = = 0.34 s
𝜔′

𝑏 0.070
− 𝑚 10𝑇 ′ − 0.250 10(0.34)
Ratio of amplitudes = e = e = e−0.952 = 0.39
Problems for
Practice • Periodic Motion: 14.3, 14.4, 14.5.
(University • SHM: 14.16, 14.17, 14.18, 14.19.
Physics, • Energy in SHM: 14.27, 14.30.
Chapter 14)

➢ Students will solve the problems

with the help of their faculties.
Periodic
Motion:
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM):
𝑣(𝑡) = −𝐴𝜔𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑
Energy
in
SHM: