Physics - Classical Mechanics - Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion

Introduction

Hey it's a me again @drifter1!

Today we continue with Physics, and more specifically the branch of "Classical Mechanics" in order to talk about Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion.

So, without further ado, let's dive straight into it!

Forms of Energy in SHM

Let's continue from the horizontal mass-spring system model for simple harmonic motion that we described last time.

We already mentioned an equation which gives us the period (or frequency) from the mass m and k constant of the spring:

But, that's not quite enough! Being a motion, we of course want to know the velocity of the mass at each point of its oscillation, as well as its position as a function of time.

Let's try approaching this problem using conservation of energy...

Potential Energy

The first form of energy is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when its deformed. This energy is known and given by:

Its important to note that such energy is considered to be a form of conservative energy!

Kinetic Energy

The second form of energy is the kinetic energy of the mass due to its motion, given by:

which is also conservative energy.

Total Energy

Supposing that the return force of the spring is the one and only horizontal force applied on the system, and that the mass of the spring is negligible, the total energy of the system is thus conserved and given by:

Maximum Energy

The total energy of the system depends on the amplitude A of its motion. Of course, when x = ±A the potential energy is max, and the velocity is zero (kinetic energy is zero), which yields:

Maximum Velocity

Solving the previous equation for the velocity, now allows us to calculate the velocity, and taking it a step further the maximum velocity.

The velocity is given by:

For x = 0 this equation gives us the maximum velocity:

Simple Example

Let's consider a horizontal mass-spring system with a mass of m = 0.5 Kg and spring constant of k = 300 N/m. This system follows a SHM with amplitude A = 0.05 m. Calculate the following:

Maximum energy of the system
Maximum velocity
Velocity at x = A / 2
Maximum acceleration

The k constant and amplitude A are known quantities, and thus the first calculation is a simple substitution:

Similarly, the maximum velocity is also a simple substitution:

For x = A / 2 we have to use the other equation, which gives us:

For the maximum acceleration we will use the equation from the previous post and substitute x with A, because the maximum return force and in turn acceleration is at the point of most deformation:

RESOURCES:

References

Images

Mathematical equations used in this article, where made using quicklatex.

Previous articles of the series

Rectlinear motion

Velocity and acceleration in a rectlinear motion -> velocity, acceleration and averages of those
Rectlinear motion with constant acceleration and free falling -> const acceleration motion and free fall
Rectlinear motion with variable acceleration and velocity relativity -> integrations to calculate pos and velocity, relative velocity
Rectlinear motion exercises -> examples and tasks in rectlinear motion

Plane motion

Position, velocity and acceleration vectors in a plane motion -> position, velocity and acceleration in plane motion
Projectile motion as a plane motion -> missile/bullet motion as a plane motion
Smooth Circular motion -> smooth circular motion theory
Plane motion exercises -> examples and tasks in plane motions

Newton's laws and Applications

Force and Newton's first law -> force, 1st law
Mass and Newton's second law -> mass, 2nd law
Newton's 3rd law and mass vs weight -> mass vs weight, 3rd law, friction
Applying Newton's Laws -> free-body diagram, point equilibrium and 2nd law applications
Contact forces and friction -> contact force, friction
Dynamics of Circular motion -> circular motion dynamics, applications
Object equilibrium and 2nd law application examples -> examples of object equilibrium and 2nd law applications
Contact force and friction examples -> exercises in force and friction
Circular dynamic and vertical circle motion examples -> exercises in circular dynamics
Advanced Newton law examples -> advanced (more difficult) exercises

Work and Energy

Work and Kinetic Energy -> Definition of Work, Work by a constant and variable Force, Work and Kinetic Energy, Power, Exercises
Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces -> Conservation of Energy, Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces and Fields, Calculations and Exercises
Potential and Mechanical Energy -> Gravitational and Elastic Potential Energy, Conservation of Mechanical Energy, Problem Solving Strategy & Tips
Force and Potential Energy -> Force as Energy Derivative (1-dim) and Gradient (3-dim)
Potential Energy Diagrams -> Energy Diagram Interpretation, Steps and Example
Internal Energy and Work -> Internal Energy, Internal Work

Momentum and Impulse

Conservation of Momentum -> Momentum, Conservation of Momentum
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions -> Collision, Elastic Collision, Inelastic Collision
Collision Examples -> Various Elastic and Inelastic Collision Examples
Impulse -> Impulse with Example
Motion of the Center of Mass -> Center of Mass, Motion analysis with examples
Explaining the Physics behind Rocket Propulsion -> Required Background, Rocket Propulsion Analysis

Angular Motion

Angular motion basics -> Angular position, velocity and acceleration
Rotation with constant angular acceleration -> Constant angular acceleration, Example
Rotational Kinetic Energy & Moment of Inertia -> Rotational kinetic energy, Moment of Inertia
Parallel Axis Theorem -> Parallel axis theorem with example
Torque and Angular Acceleration -> Torque, Relation to Angular Acceleration, Example
Rotation about a moving axis (Rolling motion) -> Fixed and moving axis rotation
Work and Power in Angular Motion -> Work, Work-Energy Theorem, Power
Angular Momentum -> Angular Momentum and its conservation
Explaining the Physics behind Mechanical Gyroscopes -> What they are, History, How they work (Precession, Mathematical Analysis) Difference to Accelerometers
Exercises around Angular motion -> Angular motion examples

Equilibrium and Elasticity

Rigid Body Equilibrium -> Equilibrium Conditions of Rigid Bodies, Center of Gravity, Solving Equilibrium Problems
Force Couple System -> Force Couple System, Example
Tensile Stress and Strain -> Tensile Stress, Tensile Strain, Young's Modulus, Poisson's Ratio
Volumetric Stress and Strain -> Volumetric Stress, Volumetric Strain, Bulk's Modulus of Elasticity, Compressibility
Cross-Sectional Stress and Strain -> Shear Stress, Shear Strain, Shear Modulus
Elasticity and Plasticity of Common Materials -> Elasticity, Plasticity, Stress-Strain Diagram, Fracture, Common Materials
Rigid Body Equilibrium Exercises -> Center of Gravity Calculation, Equilibrium Problems
Exercises on Elasticity and Plasticity -> Young Modulus, Bulk Modulus and Shear Modulus Examples

Gravity

Newton's Law of Gravitation -> Newton's Law of Gravity, Gravitational Constant G
Weight: The Force of Gravity -> Weight, Gravitational Acceleration, Gravity on Earth and Planets of the Solar System
Gravitational Fields -> Gravitational Field Mathematics and Visualization
Gravitational Potential Energy -> Gravitational Potential Energy, Potential and Escape Velocity
Exercises around Newtonian Gravity (part 1) -> Examples on the Universal Law of Gravitation
Exercises around Newtonian Gravity (part2) -> Examples on Gravitational Fields and Potential Energy
Explaining the Physics behind Satellite Motion -> The Circular Motion of Satellites
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion -> Kepler's Story, Elliptical Orbits, Kepler's Laws
Spherical Mass Distributions -> Spherical Mass Distribution, Gravity Outside and Within a Spherical Shell, Simple Examples
Earth's Rotation and its Effect on Gravity -> Gravity on Earth, Apparent Weight
Black Holes and Schwarzschild Radius -> Black Holes (Creation, Types, How To "See" Them), Schwarzschild Radius

Periodic Motion

Periodic Motion Fundamentals -> Fundamentals (Period, Frequency, Angular Frequency, Return Force, Acceleration, Velocity, Amplitude), Simple Harmonic Motion, Example

Final words | Next up

And this is actually it for today's post!

Next time we will get into the mathematical equations that describe simple harmonic motion...

See ya!

Keep on drifting!