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---
title: Less Simple Harmonic Motion
date: 2025-01-09
---
# Simple harmonic motion - Spring oscillations
When an object *vibrates* or *oscillates* back and forth, over the same path, each oscillation taking the same amount of time, the motion is **periodic.** The simplest form of periodic motion closely resemble this system, we will examine ... blah blah blah. Any spring at natural length is defined to be at its **equilibrium position.** If additional energy is imparted upon the system, either compressing or stretching said spring, a restoring force will occur to *restore* the initial position.
$$
F=\pm kx
$$
Terms, I guess:
- the distance from the equilibrium point is *displacement*
- Peak displacement is called the *amplitude*
- one *cycle* is the distance covered between the trough of the position curve over time and the peak of the same curve
- the *period* $T$ is the time required to complete one cycle's worth of motion
- the *frequency* $f$ is the number of complete cycles per second.
$$
f=\frac{1}{T} \text{ and } T=\frac{1}{f}
$$
# Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
Please just go learn Lagrangian Mechanics already. The energy approach is obviously the most useful of them all. Elastic Potential energy:
$$
|\int{F\mathrm{d}x}|=\int{kx \mathrm{d}x}=\tfrac{1}{2}kx^2
$$
The total energy: $E=\textbf{KE}+\textbf{PE}$
$$
E=\tfrac{1}{2}mv^2 + \tfrac{1}{2}kx^2
$$
We all know what $x$ and $v$ are. SHM can only occur if friction and other external forces are approximately net zero. $A$ is defined as the absolute peak distance from equilibrium. When $x=\pm A$, the $\textbf{KE}=0$.
$$
\tfrac{1}{2}m0^2+\tfrac{1}{2}kA^2
$$
At equilibrium, velocity and therefore kinetic energy are the greatest, with $\textbf{PE}=0$:
$$
E=\tfrac{1}{2}m(v_{\text{max}})^2
$$
Since energy is always conserved in SHM:
$$
\tfrac{1}{2}mv^2 + \tfrac{1}{2}kx^2 = \tfrac{1}{2}kA^2
$$
Solving the system of equations for $v$:
$$
v^2 = \frac{k}{m}A^2(1-\frac{x^2}{A^2})
$$
Given $mv^2=kA^2$:
$$
v_{\text{max}}=\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}A
$$
With another step of substitution:
$$
v=\pm v_{\text{max}}\sqrt{1-\frac{x^2}{A^2}}
$$
# The Period and the Sinusoidal Nature of SHM
The period of harmonic motion depends on the stiffness of the spring and the mass $m$ in question. It does not, however, depend on the amplitude ,$A$.
$$
T=2\pi\sqrt{\tfrac{m}{k}}
$$
Larger mass means more rotational inertial (we haven't gotten to this yet), so that part of it makes sense. It is also important that $k\propto F$
$$
f=\frac{1}{t}=\frac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}
$$
Here's the expanded derivation with the characteristic equation and solution in a markdown format with LaTeX code blocks:
---
# Derivation of the Mass-Spring SHM Equation Using Lagrangian Mechanics
We start with the equation of motion derived from the Lagrangian approach:
$$
m \ddot{x} + kx = 0
$$
## Step 1: Rewrite as a Second-Order ODE
$$
\ddot{x} + \frac{k}{m}x = 0
$$
Let:
$$
\omega^2 = \frac{k}{m}
$$
Thus, the equation becomes:
$$
\ddot{x} + \omega^2 x = 0
$$
---
## Step 2: Characteristic Equation
To solve this second-order differential equation, assume a solution of the form:
$$
x(t) = e^{\lambda t}
$$
Substitute $ $x(t) = e^{\lambda t}$ into the differential equation:
$$
\lambda^2 e^{\lambda t} + \omega^2 e^{\lambda t} = 0
$$
Factoring out $ $e^{\lambda t}$ (which is never zero):
$$
\lambda^2 + \omega^2 = 0
$$
The characteristic equation is:
$$
\lambda^2 + \omega^2 = 0
$$
---
## Step 3: Solve for $ $\lambda$
Rearranging:
$$
\lambda^2 = -\omega^2
$$
Taking the square root:
$$
\lambda = \pm i\omega
$$
Thus, the general solution for $ $x(t)$ is a linear combination of exponential functions:
$$
x(t) = C_1 e^{i\omega t} + C_2 e^{-i\omega t}
$$
---
## Step 4: Convert to Real Solution
Using Euler's formula:
$$
e^{i\omega t} = \cos(\omega t) + i\sin(\omega t)
$$
$$
e^{-i\omega t} = \cos(\omega t) - i\sin(\omega t)
$$
The general solution becomes:
$$
x(t) = C_1 (\cos(\omega t) + i\sin(\omega t)) + C_2 (\cos(\omega t) - i\sin(\omega t))
$$
Grouping real and imaginary parts, let:
$$
A = C_1 + C_2, \quad B = i(C_1 - C_2)
$$
The solution can then be written as:
$$
x(t) = A \cos(\omega t) + B \sin(\omega t)
$$
---
## Step 5: Final General Solution
Alternatively, write the solution in amplitude-phase form:
$$
x(t) = C \cos(\omega t + \phi)
$$
where:
- $C = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2}$ (amplitude),
- $\phi = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{B}{A}\right)$ (phase angle).
This is the general solution for the simple harmonic motion of a mass-spring system.
# Standing Waves
Standing waves occur when waves reflect and interfere in a confined space, forming resonance at specific frequencies. The resonance conditions depend on the boundary conditions: both ends closed, one end closed and the other open, or both ends open.
---
## **Both Ends Closed**
When both ends of a tube or string are closed, **nodes** form at both ends because there is no displacement at the boundaries. The wave pattern consists of an integer number of **half-wavelengths** fitting inside the length $L$.
### **Resonance Condition:**
$$
L = n \frac{\lambda}{2}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **Resonant Frequencies:**
$$
f_n = \frac{n v}{2L}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **How to Calculate $n$:**
For this case, the harmonic number $n$ is simply the **number of half-wavelengths in the tube**:
$$
n = \text{number of nodes} - 1 = \text{number of antinodes}
$$
---
## **One End Closed, One End Open**
When one end is closed, a **node** forms at the closed end (no displacement), and an **antinode** forms at the open end (maximum displacement). Only **odd harmonics** fit in this setup because the length must accommodate an odd number of quarter-wavelengths.
### **Resonance Condition:**
$$
L = (2n-1) \frac{\lambda}{4}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **Resonant Frequencies:**
$$
f_n = \frac{(2n-1) v}{4L}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **How to Calculate $n$:**
For this case, $n$ is determined by the **sum of nodes and antinodes**:
$$
n = \text{number of nodes} + \text{number of antinodes}
$$
Since there is always **one $n = 1, 2, 3, \dots$.
---
## **Both Ends Open**
When both ends are open, **antinodes** form at both ends because displacement is maximum at the boundaries. The standing wave pattern is identical to the **both ends closed** case.
### **Resonance Condition:**
$$
L = n \frac{\lambda}{2}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **Resonant Frequencies:**
$$
f_n = \frac{n v}{2L}, \quad n = 1, 2, 3, \dots
$$
### **How to Calculate $ $ n $:**
Since an antinode exists at each end, the harmonic number $ $ n $ corresponds to the number of **antinodes**:
$$
n = \text{number of antinodes}
$$
---
## **Summary Table: Resonance Conditions and Harmonics Calculation**
| Condition | Node-Antinode Pattern | Wavelength Relation | Resonant Frequency | Harmonic Number Calculation |
|----------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|
| **Both Ends Closed** | Node at both ends | $L = n \frac{\lambda}{2}$ | $f_n = \frac{n v}{2L}$ | $n = \text{nodes} - 1 = \text{antinodes}$ |
| **One End Closed, One Open** | Node at closed, antinode at open | $L = (2n-1) \frac{\lambda}{4}$ | $f_n = \frac{(2n-1)v}{4L}$ | $n = \text{nodes} + \text{antinodes}$ |
| **Both Ends Open** | Antinode at both ends | $L = n \frac{\lambda}{2}$ | $f_n = \frac{n v}{2L}$ | $n = \text{antinodes}$ |
Each case follows the fundamental rule that resonance occurs when the physical constraints match a standing wave pattern, leading to **natural frequencies of oscillation**.