Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
We see different types of movements every day. For example, the movement of the hands of a clock, the movement of the wheels of a car etc. Have you ever noticed that these types of movements are repeated? Well, these movements are periodic in nature, and such kind of periodic motion is simple harmonic motion. And in this article I am going to talk about the SHM or simple harmonic motion in detail. So let’s dive in and know more about simple harmonic motion.
Simple Harmonic Motion – Definition
In mechanics and physics, a simple harmonic motion (sometimes abbreviated SHM) is a special type of periodic movement in which the recovery force in the moving object is directly proportional to the size of the displacement of the object and acts in the direction of the equilibrium position of the object.
A motion that repeats itself at equal intervals of time is inherently periodic. We will see what is a periodic motion?, to understand a simple harmonic motion.
Periodic motion is motion in which an object repeats its path at equal time intervals. We see many examples of periodic motion in our daily lives. The movement of the hands of a watch is a type of periodic movement. The rocking of a cradle, swinging on a swing set, the leaves of a tree moving from side to side in the breeze of the wind, etc. are few examples of Periodic Motion.
The particle repeatedly performs the same set of motions in periodic motion. One of these movement sets is termed as oscillation. An example of such a type of an oscillatory motion is simple harmonic motion. When an object moves back and forth along a line, the motion is simple harmonic motion.
The vibrations of a pendulum are a kind of SHM.
Example
Vehicle Shock Absorber – Springs (Shockers) are connected to the wheel of the vehicle to make sure a secure experience to the passengers. Every time the vehicle hits a bumpy road, those springs (Shockers) absorb the shock; and provide a smooth ride to the passenger. The restoring force at the spring will push the vehicle wheel again back to the original place.
Simple Harmonic Motion Equation
The equation of motion for a simple harmonic motion contains a complete description of the motion and after that other parameters also get calculated.
Time Period and Frequency in SHM
The coefficient of time period, t is =ω
Condition for Angular SHM
The torque must be experienced by a body and must be restored in nature. Considering the angle of oscillation to be small then the restoring torque is proportional to angular displacement
Classification of Simple Harmonic Motion
SHM is classified into two categories
- Linear SHM – When a particle moves back and forth along a straight line about a fixed point (called the equilibrium position), its motion is called linear simple harmonic motion.
- Angular SHM – Angular SHM involves the “back and forth” angular oscillation of a body about the centre. The particle or body experiences a small angular displacement with respect to the mean position. This occurs when the body’s stable equilibrium is disturbed by a small external torque. The rotating system, in turn, creates a restoring torque that attempts to restore equilibrium.
Periodic Motion
In physics, periodic motion is a type of motion that repeats itself at equal time intervals. Periodic motion is performed, for example, by a rocking chair, a bouncing ball, a vibrating tuning fork, the earth in its orbit around the sun, and a water wave. In any case, the time interval for a repetition or cycle of motion is called a period, while the number of periods per unit time is called the frequency.
Oscillatory Motion
When an object repeatedly moves across a point, this type of object movement is an oscillating movement. In a complete vacuum, the ideal state can be achieved because there is no air to stop the object in the friction of the oscillating motion. In the world, the vibration of the strings and the movement of the spring also fall under the oscillatory movement and are equal to the mechanical vibration. Oscillatory movements should not be confused with periodic movements. Objects in periodic motion repeat their motion after a specified duration or time period. While in oscillating motion, objects repeat their motion at a fixed position.
Conclusion
In this article the simple harmonic motion is explained with examples and types to make you understand in the easiest possible way. Simple harmonic motion is a special type of periodic movement. Moreover you will also know about periodic motion, oscillatory motion and Hooke’s Law in this article.
