Simple harmonic motion Flashcards
Equilibrium equation with gravity
equilibrium is reached when the force of gravity is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the restorative force of the spring. mg = kx
Period, T, for a spring-mass system
T = 2pi*sqrt(m/k), where k is the spring constant and m is the mass. Note that the period does NOT depend on the displacement of the spring or the gravity in which the spring is oscillating.
Period, T, for a pendulum
T = 2pi*sqrt(L/g), where L is the length of the string and g is the acceleration of gravity. Note that the mass at the end of the string and the displacement from equilibrium DO NOT affect the period of the pendulum at all
Potential energy
.5kx^2 (greatest at the height of the oscillation and the bottom of the oscillation)
Kinetic energy
.5mv^2 (greatest at the middle of the oscillation)
Acceleration
greatest at the height of the oscillation and at the bottom of the oscillation (F = ma)