Simple Harmonic Motion and Characteristics Of Simple Harmonic Motion

The type of oscillation in which the body oscillates on a straight line, the acceleration of the body is always directed towards the mean position on the line and the magnitude is proportional to the displacement of the body from the point is called the simple harmonic oscillation or simple harmonic motion.

Taking the mean position as origin and the line of a motion as the X-axis, we can define the equation of a simple harmonic motion as

a=-cx

Where c is a positive constant. If x is positive, a is negative and if x is negative a is positive.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Example:Motion of a simple pendulum oscillating with very small amplitude, vibration of Arms of tuning fork, vibration of a spring.

Characteristics Of Simple Harmonic Oscillation: 

• The motion is periodic.
• It is oscillatory.
• It is linear Motion.
• Acceleration is proportional to the displacement.
• Acceleration is opposite to the displacement.
• Acceleration is directed towards the mean position.
• The displacement of the body in simple Harmonic Motion can be expressed as sine or cosine. Look the image below...