Simple harmonic motion and period
Linear restoring acceleration produces sinusoidal motion.
Key knowledge
Undamped one-dimensional motion obeying m ẍ=−kx has x=Acos(ωt+φ), with ω=√(k/m), period T=2π/ω and frequency f=1/T. Acceleration is −ω²x. Initial position and velocity determine amplitude and phase; frequency is independent of amplitude only within the ideal linear model.
Values and equations
x=Acos(ωt+φ); ω=√(k/m); T=2π/ω; f=1/T; ẍ=−ω²x
- x,A
- Displacement and nonnegative amplitude m
- k
- Restoring stiffness N m⁻¹
- m
- Mass kg
- ω
- Angular frequency rad s⁻¹
- t,T
- Time and positive oscillation period s
- f
- Cycles per unit time Hz
- φ
- Initial phase rad
Conditions and scope
- m,k>0, constant parameters, no drive or damping, and displacement within the spring’s linear range.
- General periodic motion need not be harmonic; anharmonic potentials, large amplitude and damping can alter period or waveform.
Sources · 1
References
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Evidence and review
Read §15.1 period/frequency15.1, Hooke model and sinusoidal/phase/derivative equations15.3–15.8. ω=√(k/m) follows substitution into the stated force equation.
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Entry details
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- foundation-physics-simple-harmonic-motion
- Revision
- foundations-refresh.1
- Structured reference record
- Foundational reference additions