Simple Harmonic Motion
Mass-Spring Systems and Pendulums
Explore simple harmonic motion through mass-spring systems and pendulums. Observe how changing parameters affects the oscillation!
Mass-Spring System
Displacement: 0 cm |
Velocity: 0 cm/s
Observation:
The mass-spring system demonstrates simple harmonic motion with the mass oscillating back and forth. The displacement follows a sinusoidal pattern.
The Science Behind Simple Harmonic Motion
Key Concepts:
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement:
- Mass-Spring System: F = -kx (Hooke's Law)
- Pendulum: For small angles, motion approximates SHM
- Characteristics: Sinusoidal displacement, constant period (for small amplitudes in pendulum)
Real-world Examples:
SHM appears in many systems: car suspensions, clock pendulums, vibrating guitar strings, and even in the motion of atoms in molecules.
