PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

MODULE 11: OSCILLATION

(Dr. Rubaiyet I. Haque)

LECTURE 22
OUTLINE:
▪ Energy in an SHM.
▪ Some oscillating systems

ENERGY IN SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

In simple harmonic motion, the energy of the system is divided between kinetic energy and potential
energy. The energy transfers back and forth between kinetic energy and potential energy, while the
sum of the two the mechanical energy of the oscillator remains constant.

The potential energy of the system is given by,

1 1 2
𝑈 = 𝑘𝑥 2 = 𝑘𝑥𝑚 cos 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) [∵ 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑥𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) ]
2 2
where 𝑘 is the spring constant of the system, and 𝑥 is the displacement from the equilibrium position.

At any point in the motion, the kinetic energy of the system is given by,
1 1
𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑚𝜔2 𝑥𝑚 2
sin2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) [∵ 𝑣(𝑡) = −𝜔𝑥𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)]
2 2
1 2
𝐾 = 𝑘𝑥𝑚 sin2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
2
where m is the mass of the object in motion, and 𝑣 = −𝜔𝑥𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) is its velocity. And the
angular frequency 𝜔 = √𝑘/𝑚.

The total mechanical energy of the system is the sum of the kinetic energy and potential energy:
1 2 1 2
𝐸 = 𝐾 + 𝑈 = 𝑘𝑥𝑚 cos 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) + 𝑘𝑥𝑚 sin2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
2 2
1 2
⇒ 𝐸 = 𝑘𝑥𝑚 [cos 2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙) + sin2 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)]
2
1 2
⇒ 𝐸 = 𝑘𝑥𝑚 [∵ cos 2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃 = 1]
2

At any point during the motion, the total mechanical energy of the system remains constant and
independent of time. During the motion of the system, the energy is transferred back and forth
between kinetic and potential energy, resulting in oscillation.

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

Fig. (a) Potential energy 𝑈(𝑡), kinetic energy 𝐾(𝑡), and mechanical energy 𝐸 as functions of time 𝑡 for a linear harmonic
oscillator. Note that all energies are positive and that the potential energy and the kinetic energy peak twice during every
period. (b) Potential energy 𝑈(𝑥), kinetic energy 𝐾(𝑥), and mechanical energy 𝐸 as functions of position 𝑥 for a linear
harmonic oscillator with amplitude 𝑥𝑚 . For 𝑥 = 0 the energy is all kinetic, and for 𝑥 = ±𝑥𝑚 it is all potential.

At the equilibrium position, the kinetic energy is at its maximum and the potential energy is zero. At
the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position, the kinetic energy is zero and the potential
energy is at its maximum.

CHECKPOINT: In Fig., the block has a kinetic energy

of 3 𝐽 and the spring has an elastic potential energy of 2 𝐽
when the block is at 𝑥 = +2.0 𝑐𝑚. (a) What is the kinetic
energy when the block is at 𝑥 = 0? What is the elastic
potential energy when the block is at (b) 𝑥 = −2.0 𝑐𝑚
and (c) 𝑥 = −𝑥𝑚 ?
ANSWER: (a) 5 𝐽; (b) 2 𝐽; (c) 5 𝐽

PROBLEM: Many tall buildings have mass dampers, which are anti-sway devices to prevent them
from oscillating in a wind. The device might be a block oscillating at the end of a spring and on a
lubricated track. If the building sways, say, eastward, the block also moves eastward but delayed
enough so that when it finally moves, the building is then moving back westward. Thus, the motion
of the oscillator is out of step with the motion of the building.
Suppose the block has mass 𝑚 = 2.72 × 105 𝑘𝑔 and is designed to oscillate at frequency 𝑓 =
10.0 𝐻𝑧 and with amplitude 𝑥𝑚 = 20.0 𝑐𝑚.
(a) What is the total mechanical energy E of the spring– block system?
(b) What is the block’s speed as it passes through the equilibrium point?
ANSWER: (a) From equation 𝜔 = √𝑘/𝑚 and equation 𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑓,we find
𝑘 = 𝑚𝜔2 = 𝑚(2𝜋𝑓)2 = (2.72 × 105 𝑘𝑔)(2𝜋)2 (10.0 𝐻𝑧)2 = 1.073 × 109 𝑁/𝑚
We can now evaluate E as
1 1 1
𝐸 = 𝐾 + 𝑈 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑘𝑥 2 = 0 + (1.073 × 109 𝑁/𝑚)(0.20 𝑚)2
2 2 2
𝐸 = 2.147 × 10 𝐽 ≈ 2.1 × 107 𝐽
7

1
(b) We want the speed at x!0, where the potential energy is 𝑈 = 𝑘𝑥 2 = 0 and the mechanical
2
energy is entirely kinetic energy. So, we can write

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

1 1
𝐸 = 𝐾 + 𝑈 = 𝑚𝑣 2 + 𝑘𝑥 2
2 2
1
2.147 × 107 𝐽 = (2.72 × 105 𝑘𝑔)𝑣 2 + 0
2
𝑚
𝑣 = 12.6
𝑠
Because E is entirely kinetic energy, this is the maximum speed 𝑣𝑚 .

PROBLEM 15-30: An oscillating block–spring system has a mechanical energy of 1.00 𝐽, an

amplitude of 10.0 𝑐𝑚, and a maximum speed of 1.20 𝑚/𝑠. Find (a) the spring constant, (b) the
mass of the block, and (c) the frequency of oscillation.

PROBLEM 15-31: A 5.00 𝑘𝑔 object on a horizontal frictionless surface is attached to a spring

with 𝑘 = 1000 𝑁/𝑚. The object is displaced from equilibrium 50.0 𝑐𝑚 horizontally and given an
initial velocity of 10.0 𝑚/𝑠 back toward the equilibrium position. What are (a) the motion’s
frequency, (b) the initial potential energy of the block–spring system, (c) the initial kinetic energy,
and (d) the motion’s amplitude?

PROBLEM 15-35: A 10 𝑔 particle undergoes SHM with an amplitude of 2.0 𝑚𝑚, a maximum
acceleration of magnitude 8.0 × 103 𝑚/𝑠 2 , and an unknown phase constant 𝜙. What are (a) the
period of the motion, (b) the maximum speed of the particle, and (c) the total mechanical energy of
the oscillator? What is the magnitude of the force on the particle when the particle is at (d) its
maximum displacement and (e) half its maximum displacement?

TYPES OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

The Simple Harmonic Motion, can be classified into two types,
Linear Simple Harmonic Motion: When a particle moves to and fro about a fixed point (called
equilibrium position) along with a straight line, then its motion is called linear Simple Harmonic
Motion. For example, the spring-mass system.
Conditions for Linear SHM: The restoring force or acceleration acting on the particle should always
be proportional to the displacement of the particle and directed towards the equilibrium position.
𝐹 ∝ −𝑥 and 𝑎 ∝ −𝑥

Angular Simple Harmonic Motion: When a system oscillates angular long with respect to a fixed
axis, then its motion is called angular simple harmonic motion. For example, simple pendulum, the
physical pendulum.
Conditions to Execute Angular SHM: The restoring torque (or) angular acceleration acting on the
particle should always be proportional to the angular displacement of the particle and directed towards
the equilibrium position.
𝜏 ∝ −𝜃 and 𝛼 ∝ −𝜃
Where, 𝛵 refers to the torque, 𝛼 is the angular acceleration and 𝜃 being the angular displacement.

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

AN ANGULAR SIMPLE HARMONIC OSCILLATION

Figure shows an angular version of a simple harmonic oscillator
known as a torsion pendulum, with torsion referring to the twisting.
A torsion pendulum is a type of simple harmonic oscillator that
consists of a mass suspended from a wire or a thin rod, which is
attached to a fixed point at the top.
- When the mass is twisted about the axis of the wire, the wire acts
as a torsion spring and thus restoring torque is formed on the
mass, tending to rotate it back to its original/equilibrium position.
- The restoring force that forms due to the displacement of the wire
from its equilibrium position is proportional to the angular
displacement.
Let us consider, a cylindrical mass is suspended by a vertical wire of length 𝑙 and radius 𝑟 as shown
in Figure. The axis of the wire passes through its center of gravity.
If the disk in rotated by some angular displacement 𝜃 from its rest position and released, it will
oscillate about that position in angular simple harmonic motion. the restoring torque exerted by the
wire will be proportional to the angular displacement,
𝜏 = −𝜅𝜃
Here 𝜅 (Greek kappa) is a constant, called the torsion constant, that depends on the length, diameter,
and material of the suspension wire. This is similar to the spring constant. And the minus sign shows
that the restoring torque acts in the opposite direction to increasing angular displacement.
From Newton’s 2nd law of rotation, we know,
𝜏 = 𝐼𝛼
Where 𝐼 is the moment of inertia and 𝛼 is the angular acceleration,
Therefore, the angular acceleration is,
𝑑2𝜃 𝜏 𝜅
𝛼= 2
= = − 𝜃 = −𝜔2 𝜃 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜔 = √𝜅/𝐼]
𝑑𝑡 𝐼 𝐼
The time period for torsional oscillations is thus given by,

2𝜋 𝐼
𝑇= = 2𝜋√ … … … (2)
𝜔 𝜅

where 𝐼 is the rotational inertia of the mass/cylinder about the axis of rotation and 𝜅 is the torsion
constant of the wire.
The total moment of inertia of the disk/ cylinder (attached disk Mass to the wire) having radius a is
given by,
1
𝐼 = 𝑀𝑎2
2
Where 𝑀 and 𝑎 are the mass and radius of the cylinder respectively.

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

PROBLEM: Figure a shows a thin rod whose length 𝐿 is

12.4 𝑐𝑚 and whose mass 𝑚 is 135 𝑔, suspended at its
midpoint from a long wire. Its period 𝑇𝑎 of angular SHM is
measured to be 2.53 𝑠. An irregularly shaped object, which we
call object 𝑋, is then hung from the same wire, as in Fig. b, and
its period 𝑇𝑏 is found to be 4.76 𝑠. What is the rotational inertia
of object 𝑋 about its suspension axis?
ANSWER: We know that the rotational inertia of a thin rod
about a perpendicular axis through its midpoint is given as
1 1
𝐼𝑎 = 𝑚𝐿2 = ( ) (0.135 𝑘𝑔)(0.124 𝑚)2 = 1.73 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2
12 12
Considering time period for the rod and object X as,
𝐼 𝐼
𝑇𝑟 = 2𝜋√ 𝑟 and 𝑇𝑋 = 2𝜋√ 𝑋
𝜅 𝜅

The constant 𝜅, which is a property of the wire, is the same for both figures; only the periods and
the rotational inertias differ.
By squaring each of these equations and dividing the second equation by the first, we get
𝑇𝑋 (4.76 𝑠)2
𝐼𝑋 = 𝐼𝑟 = (1.73 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2 ) = 6.12 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2
𝑇𝑟 (2.53 𝑠)2

PROBLEM 15-38: A 95 𝑘𝑔 solid sphere with a 15 𝑐𝑚 radius is suspended by a vertical wire. A

torque of 0.20 𝑁. 𝑚 is required to rotate the sphere through an angle of 0.85 𝑟𝑎𝑑 and then maintain
that orientation. What is the period of the oscillations that result when the sphere is then released?

SIMPLE PENDULUM
A simple pendulum consists of a weight (or a mass) suspended from a fixed point by a massless string,
which is free to swing back and forth under the influence of gravity. The motion of the pendulum is
a type of simple harmonic motion, which means that it repeats itself after a fixed period of time.
Figure shows a simple pendulum.
⃗ from the string and the gravitational force 𝐹𝑔 . When the
The forces acting on the bob are the force 𝑇
string makes an angle 𝜃 with the vertical. The radial component of the force 𝐹𝑔 is 𝐹𝑔 cos 𝜃 and a
tangent component 𝐹𝑔 sin 𝜃 is experienced by the bob.
The tangential component
produces a restoring torque about
the pendulum’s pivot point because
the component always acts
opposite the displacement of the
bob so as to bring the bob back
toward its central location. That
location is called the equilibrium
position (𝜃 = 0°) because the
pendulum would be at rest there
were it not swinging.

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

The restoring torque as,

𝜏 = −𝐿(𝐹𝑔 sin 𝜃) [𝜏 = 𝑟𝐹𝑡 ]
To simplify, we assume that the angle 𝜃 is small, that sin 𝜃 ≈ 𝜃, with 𝜃 (expressed in radian).
Therefore, we get, 𝜏 = −𝐹𝑔 𝐿 𝜃 = −𝑚𝑔𝐿 𝜃 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔]
For newton’s 2nd law for circular motion, we get, 𝜏 = 𝐼𝛼
where 𝐼 is the pendulum’s rotational inertia about the pivot point and 𝛼 is its angular acceleration
about that point. Therefore,
𝑚𝑔𝐿
𝐼𝛼 = −𝑚𝑔𝐿 𝜃 ⇒𝛼=− 𝜃 = −𝜔2 𝜃
𝐼
Thus, the angular acceleration 𝛼 of the pendulum is proportional to the angular displacement 𝜃 but
opposite in sign. So, as the pendulum bob moves to the right, as in Figure a, its acceleration to the
left increases until the bob stops and begins moving to the left.
𝑚𝑔𝐿
The angular frequency of the simple pendulum is given by, 𝜔 = √
𝐼

The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is given by,

𝐼 𝐿
𝑇 = 2𝜋√ = 2𝜋√ [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐼 = ∑ 𝑚 𝑟 2 = 𝑚𝐿2 ]
𝑚𝑔𝐿 𝑔

where 𝐿 is the length of the pendulum and 𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity. Since the string is
considered massless, thus the center of mass of the system (𝐶𝑂𝑀) is located at the center of the bob.
This equation shows that the period of the pendulum depends only on the length of the pendulum and
the acceleration due to gravity and is independent of the mass of the weight or the amplitude of the
oscillation.

NOTE: If the angle 𝜃 is small, that sin 𝜃 ≈ 𝜃, with 𝜃 (expressed in radian). For example,
𝜽 𝒓𝒂𝒅 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓[%] 𝜽 𝒓𝒂𝒅 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓[%]
𝟏° 0.017453 0.017452 0.006% 𝟏𝟓° 0.261799 0.258819 1.1514%
𝟓° 0.087266 0.087156 0.13% 𝟐𝟎° 0.349066 0.342020 2.0601%
𝟏𝟎° 0.17453 0.173648 0.5% 𝟐𝟓° 0.436332 0.422618 3.2450%

PHYSICAL PENDULUM
A physical pendulum is a rigid body suspended from a fixed point by a pivot or a hinge, which is free
to oscillate under the influence of gravity. The motion of a physical pendulum is similar to that of a
simple pendulum but is more complex due to the fact that the mass of the pendulum is distributed
over its length.

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 PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

When the system is displaced from its equilibrium position

the restoring torque restoring torque, that is proportional to
the angular displacement, will tend bring the bar to its
equilibrium position. The restoring torque is given by,
𝜏 = −𝑚𝑔ℎ sin 𝜃 … … … (1)
Here ℎ is the distance of the pivot from the COM or center of
the pendulum, and the vertical component of the force (𝐹𝑦 =
𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃) acts as restoring force to bring the pendulum back
to equilibrium position.

For very small angle of rotation, we can write sin 𝜃 ≈ 𝜃, then from equations (1) and (2), we get,
𝜏 = −𝑚𝑔ℎ 𝜃 … … … (2)
Allowing the bar to swing it will approximately follow a simple harmonic motion. From Newton’s
2nd law of motion for rotation the torque (𝜏) can also be expressed as,
𝜏 = 𝐼 𝛼 … … … (2)
where, 𝐼 is the moment of inertia of the pendulum about the axis of rotation, and 𝛼 the angular
acceleration. Therefore, we can write,
𝑑2 𝜃 𝜏 𝑚𝑔ℎ
𝛼= 2
= =− 𝜃 … … … (3)
𝑑𝑡 𝐼 𝐼
𝛼 = −𝜔2 𝜃 … … … (4) [𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜔 = √𝑚𝑔ℎ/𝐼]
The period of oscillation of a physical pendulum is given by,

2𝜋 𝐼
𝑇= = 2𝜋√
𝜔 𝑚𝑔ℎ

where 𝐼 is the moment of inertia of the pendulum about the pivot point, 𝑚 is the mass of the pendulum,
𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity, and ℎ is the distance between the pivot point and the center of
mass of the pendulum. This equation shows that the period of the physical pendulum depends on the
moment of inertia, the distance between the pivot point and the center of mass, and the acceleration
due to gravity.
The moment of inertia of this pendulum about a perpendicular axis through its center of mass is,
1
𝐼𝐶𝑂𝑀 = 𝑚𝐿2
12
where 𝐿 refers to the length of the uniform rod and 𝑚 is mass of the rod.
Therefore, using the parallel-axis theorem (𝐼 = 𝐼𝑐𝑜𝑚 + 𝑚ℎ2 ), the moment of inertia about an axis
through one end of the rod that is parallel to the one through the 𝐶𝑂𝑀 is given by,
1
2 2
1 2 1 2
𝐼 = 𝐼𝐶𝑂𝑀 + 𝑚ℎ = 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑚 ( 𝐿) = 𝑚𝐿
12 2 3
1
Here, the distance between the pivot point and the center of mass for such pendulum is ℎ = 𝐿.
2
8𝜋2 𝐿
Therefore, we get, 𝑔 =
3𝑇 2

Thus, by measuring 𝐿 and the period 𝑇, we can find the value of 𝑔 at the pendulum’s location.

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PHY-107 Module 11: Oscillation

CHECKPOINT: Three physical pendulums, of masses 𝑚0 , 2𝑚0 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3𝑚0 , have the same shape
and size and are suspended at the same point. Rank the masses according to the periods of the
pendulums, greatest first.
𝐼
ANSWER: all tie (in Eq. 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ , 𝑚 is included in I)
𝑚𝑔𝑑

PROBLEM: In Fig. a, a meter stick swings about a pivot point at one

end, at distance ℎ from the stick’s center of mass. (a) What is the period
of oscillation 𝑇? (b) What is the distance 𝐿0 between the pivot point 𝑂
of the stick and the center of oscillation of the stick?
ANSWER: (a) We know that,
1 2
𝐼 𝑚𝐿 2𝐿 (2)(1.00 𝑚)
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ = 2𝜋√ 3 = 2𝜋√ = 2𝜋√ 𝑚
𝑚𝑔𝑑 1 3𝑔 (3) (9.8 2 )
𝑚𝑔 ( 𝐿) 𝑠
2
𝑇 = 1.64 𝑠
𝐿0 2𝐿
(b) Again we can write, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 √ = 2𝜋 √
𝑔 3𝑔

2 2
Here, 𝐿0 = 𝐿 = ( ) (100 𝑐𝑚) = 66.7 𝑐𝑚.
3 3

PROBLEM 15-45: A performer seated on a trapeze is swinging back and forth with a period of
8.85 𝑠. If she stands up, thus raising the center of mass of the 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑒 + 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟 system by
35.0 𝑐𝑚, what will be the new period of the system? Treat 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑒 + 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟 as a simple
pendulum.

PROBLEM 15-47: In Fig., a physical pendulum consists of a uniform

solid disk (of radius 𝑅 = 2.35 𝑐𝑚) supported in a vertical plane by a pivot
located a distance 𝑑 = 1.75 𝑐𝑚 from the center of the disk. The disk is
displaced by a small angle and released. What is the period of the resulting
simple harmonic motion?