Simple Harmonic Motion

Question 1

Describe an object moving with SHM

Answer 1

The object oscillates to and from, either side of an equilibrium position.
The force is always proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

Question 2

What is displacement?

Answer 2

The distance of the object from the equilibrium.

Question 3

What does the restoring force do?

Answer 3

Pushes/pulls the object back towards the equilibrium position. It makes the object accelerate towards the equilibrium.

Question 4

Define SHM

Answer 4

An oscillation in which the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to its displacement from its equilibrium position, and is directed towards the equilibrium.

Question 5

Summarise SHM into an equation

Answer 5

• F ∝ -x
• F=-kx
• since F=ma, ma=-kx
• a= -kx/m
• k/m is a constant which varies dependent on the type of motion e.g pendulum or spring
• equation is generally written as: a = -ωx