THEORY OF MACHINES AND

MECHANISMS II

Mechanical IV/I

Vibration of Single Degree of Freedom

Systems
Simple Harmonic Motion and Terms
Associated with Vibration
2022
Learning Objectives
• Make able to define periodic oscillation and simple
harmonic motion.
• Make able to define terms associated with vibration: amplitude,
frequency, time period.
6.2 Simple Harmonic Motion
Simplest form the oscillatory or vibratory motion is the periodic
motion. Any motion that repeats itself after some time interval is
called a periodic motion. Most common example of a periodic
motion is a simple harmonic motion.

Instantaneous position of a particle undergoing a simple harmonic

motion can be represented by the circular functions, sine or cosine.

𝑥 𝑡 = 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡 …(6.1)

where A is amplitude of the

cycle which is defined as
the maximum displacement
from the equilibrium
position.
Since the circular function repeats itself in 2𝜋 radians and take a
time interval of T (𝜔𝑇 = 2𝜋), then
2𝜋
𝑇= …(6.2)
𝜔
where T is called time period of the cycle measured in s and 𝜔 is
the circular frequency of the oscillation measured in rad/s.

Similarly, frequency of oscillation f which is the number of cycles

measured in Hz can be expressed as
1
…(6.3)
𝜔
𝑓= =
𝑇
2𝜋
Velocity and acceleration of the particle can
determined by the vibrating be of
successive defined by Equation (6.1)
expression differentiatio
as displacement
𝑥˙ = −𝜔𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜔𝑡 n
…(6.4)
𝑥¨ = −𝜔2𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜔𝑡 …(6.5)

Comparing Equation (6.1) and Equation (6.5), we get

𝑥¨ = …(6.6)
−𝜔2𝑥
With reference to Equation (6.6), we can recall the definition of
simple harmonic motion from mechanics as:
When the acceleration of a particle with rectilinear motion is always
proportional to its displacement from a fixed point on the path
and is directed towards the fixed point, the particle is said to have
simple harmonic motion.
Review Questions
1. Define periodic motion.
2. Define: amplitude, frequency and time period.
3. Define simple harmonic motion.