Oscillations

M.E.S INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA– QATAR

Notes 2024- 2025

Section : Boys /Girls Date : 24/11/2024

Class & Div. : XI(All Divisions) Subject : Physics
Lesson / Topic: Oscillations
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Introduction
In this chapter we will learn about oscillatory motion or oscillations. Any motion which
repeats itself at regular intervals of time is known as periodic motion. If a body moves back
and forth repeatedly about its mean position then it is said to be in oscillatory motion.

For example: The to and fro movement of pendulum, jumping on a trampoline, a child
swinging on a swing.

1. What is meant by periodic motion? Give example.

A. A motion which repeats itself after equal intervals of time is called a periodic motion.
o E.g. Motion of planets around the sun
o Motion of the pendulum of a wall clock etc.
2. What is meant by oscillating motion?
A. If a body moves back and forth (to and fro) repeatedly about a mean position, the
motion is called oscillating or vibratory motion.
o E.g. Motion of the pendulum of wall clock
o Oscillations of a mass suspended from a spring.
o Motion of a simple pendulum.
Note: An oscillating motion is always periodic. A periodic motion may or may not be
oscillatory. So oscillatory motion is merely a special case of periodic motion.
E.g. the motion of the planets around the sun is periodic but not oscillatory.
3. Define the following terms
a. Time period
b. Frequency
c. Displacement
A. a. Time periods(T) – time periods of an oscillatory motion can be defined as the time
taken to complete one vibrations. SI unit is seconds. If a particle oscillates N times in
time t, its period T = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
𝒕
𝑻=
𝑵
b. Frequency – the number of repetitions of the periodic motion that occurs per
seconds is called the frequency (υ) of the periodic motion.
If a particle executes N oscillations in t seconds

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 Oscillations

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑁 1
υ= = =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡 𝑇
𝟏
𝛖=
𝑻
SI unit is (S⁻¹) or Hertz Hz
c. Displacement – it is the distance of the vibrating particle from the mean position
at that instant. SI unit is m
4. Define simple harmonic motion(SHM)
A. A particle is said to execute simple harmonic motion(SHM) when it vibrates
periodically in such a way that at any instant the force acting on it is directly
proportional to the displacement from a fixed point in its path and is always directed
towards that fixed point.
5. Derive the differential equation of a simple harmonic motion
A. In simple harmonic motion, force ‘F’ acts on the vibrating body at any instant is
directly proportional to displacement x and is directed towards the mean position.
𝐹 ∝ −𝑥

𝐹 = 𝑘𝑥 (i)
According to Newton’s second law,
𝑑2𝑥
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚 (ii)
𝑑2𝑡

(𝑖) = (𝑖𝑖)
𝑑2𝑥 𝑑2𝑥 𝑘
𝑚 2 = −𝑘𝑥; =− 𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡2 𝑚
𝑑2𝑥 𝑘
+ 𝑥=0
𝑑𝑡2 𝑚

Where 𝜔2 = 𝑘 ; 𝜔 = √ 𝑘
𝑚 𝑚
𝒅𝟐𝒙
+ 𝝎𝟐𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒅𝒕𝟐

This is the differential equation of a SHM

6. Show that projection of uniform circular motion on a diameter is simple
harmonic. Hence find the expression for the period.
A. Consider a particle moving in anticlockwise direction with uniform angular velocity
𝜔 along a circle of radius A. At time t=0, let the particle be at P. After time t let the
particle be at Q, covered an angular displacement 𝜃 = 𝜔𝑡.

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From the diagram displacements:

𝑥 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃; 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 (i)

Here particle executes uniform circular

motion; centripetal acceleration acts
on it.
𝑣2
𝑎= = 𝑟𝜔2 = 𝐴𝜔2 ;
𝑟
𝒂 = 𝑨𝝎𝟐 (ii)
Acceleration ‘a’ is resolved into two
components 𝑎𝑥 and 𝑎𝑦. From the
figure
𝑎𝑦 = −𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃; 𝑎𝑥 = −𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
From (ii)

𝒂𝒚 = −𝑨𝝎𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽; 𝒂𝒙 = −𝑨𝝎𝟐𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 (iii)

From (i)
𝒂𝒚 = −𝝎𝟐𝒚; 𝒂𝒙 = −𝝎𝟐𝒙

𝑎𝑦 ∝ −𝑦; 𝑎𝑥 ∝ −𝑥
components of acceleration 𝑎𝑥 and 𝑎𝑦 are proportional to displacements x and y.

 projection of uniform circular motion on a diameter is simple harmonic as the foot of the
perpendicular along any diameter executes simple harmonic motion.
2𝜋
Time period 𝑇 =
𝜔
𝑘
𝜔=√
𝑚

𝑚
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑘

Where m - mass of the body

K- force constant.
7. In the equation 𝒚 = 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝝓), y is the displacement at time t, A, 𝝎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝝓
are constants. Obtain expression for velocity and acceleration. Represent them
graphically.
A. a. Displacement

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𝒚 = 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝝓) (i)
It is the distance of the particle from the mean position.
b. Velocity
The rate of change displacement of a particle with time is called velocity
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
𝑑𝑦
𝑉= = 𝐴𝜔𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
𝑑𝑡
𝑽 = 𝒂𝝎𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝝎𝒕 + 𝝓) (ii)

𝑉 = 𝐴𝜔√1 − sin² (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = √1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛²𝜃

= 𝜔√𝐴² − 𝐴²𝑠𝑖𝑛²(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)

From eqn (i)

= 𝜔√𝐴2 − y²

𝑽 = 𝝎√𝑨𝟐 − 𝐲² (iii)
At the mean position, y=0, the velocity is maximum

𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝝎𝑨
At the extreme position, y = A, the velocity is minimum. I

𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝜔√𝐴2 − y² = 0
𝑽𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎
c. Acceleration
Rate of change of velocity of a particle with time is called acceleration.
From egn (ii)
𝑉 = 𝑎𝜔cos (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
𝑑𝑣
𝑎= = −𝐴𝜔. 𝜔 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
𝑑𝑡
𝑎 = −𝐴𝜔²sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙)
From eqn (i)
𝒂 = −𝝎²𝒚 (iv)

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At the mean position, y = 0

a = 0, the minimum II
At the extreme position, y = A
𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒙 = −𝝎²𝑨
Graphical representation (from equation I and II)

8. Derive an expression for the energy of a harmonic oscillator.

A. A particle executing SHM possesses two types of energy, potential energy and kinetic
energy. Total energy at any instant remains constant.
Potential energy(𝐸𝑝)
It is the work done in displacing the particle from the equilibrium position. At any instant
when the displacement is x,
Acceleration in SHM is
𝑎 = −𝜔²𝑥
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 = −𝑚𝜔2𝑥

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𝐹 = −𝑚𝜔²𝑥 (i)
If the particle undergoes further infinitesimally small displacement dx, the small work done
due against the restoring force is
𝑑𝑤 = −𝐹𝑑𝑥 = −(−𝑚𝜔2𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑤 = 𝑚𝜔2𝑥𝑑𝑥
Total work done when particle is displaced from 0 to x
𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑤 = ∫ 𝑚𝜔2𝑥𝑑𝑥
0
𝑥
𝑤 = 𝑚𝜔² ∫ 𝑥𝑑𝑥
0

𝑥² 𝑥
𝑤 = 𝑚𝜔² [ ]
2 0
1 2 2
𝑤 = 𝑚𝜔 𝑥
2
𝟏
𝑬𝒑 = 𝒎𝝎𝟐𝒙𝟐
𝟐
Kinetic Energy (𝐸𝑘)
Consider a particle of mass m executing SHM with angular frequency 𝜔.
Velocity of the particle at any instant,

𝑉 = 𝜔√𝐴2 − x²
K.E of the particle,
1 1
𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣2 = 𝑚𝜔2(𝐴2 − x²)
𝑘
2 2
𝟏
𝑬𝒌 = 𝒎𝝎𝟐(𝑨𝟐 − 𝐱²)
𝟐
Total energy(E)
E= PE + KE
1 2 2 1 2
𝐸= 𝑚𝜔 𝑥 + 𝑚𝜔 (𝐴2 − x²)
2 2
𝟏
𝑬 = 𝒎𝝎𝟐𝑨𝟐
𝟐
1
𝐸 = k𝐴2
2
Graphical representation

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a) When particle is at mean position x=0

1
𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚𝜔2𝑥2 = 0
2

𝑬𝒑 = 𝟎
1 2( 2 2) 1 2 2
𝐸𝑘 = 2 𝑚𝜔 𝐴 − x = 2𝑚𝜔 𝐴
𝟏
𝑬𝒌 = 𝒎𝝎𝟐𝑨𝟐
𝟐
At mean position 𝐸𝑘 is maximum and 𝐸𝑝 is zero.
b) When particle is at extreme position x=A
1 2 2 1 2 2
𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚𝜔 𝑥 = 𝑚𝜔 𝐴
2 𝟏 2
𝑬𝒑 = 𝒎𝝎𝟐𝑨𝟐
𝟐
1
𝐸𝑘 = 𝑚𝜔2(𝐴2 − x2) = 0
2
𝑬𝒌 = 𝟎
At extreme position 𝐸𝑝 is maximum and is 𝐸𝑘 zero

9. Write the displacement equations x and y when a particle starts from

a. Below x=axis in SHM
b. Above x-axis in SHM
A.

Displacement: distance of vibrating from mean

positions
𝒙 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝝎𝒕 − 𝝓)
𝒚 = 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 − 𝝓)

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Displacement
𝒙 = 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝝎𝒕 + 𝝓)
𝒚 = 𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝝎𝒕 + 𝝓)

10. Show that oscillations of a simple pendulum execute simple harmonic and drive
the expressions for the time period.
A. Simple pendulum consists of a bob of mass ‘m’ attached to the end of light in
extensible of length ‘l’.

Consider the bob is displaced

through an angle θ from mean
position to the position A, such that
arc OA = x.
𝒙
𝜽 = (i)
𝒍

Different forces acting on the bob

are
a. Weight of the bob mg, acts
vertically downwards.
b. Tension T acts along its
length toward the point of
suspensions.
Weight mg can be resolved unto two components 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃.
Here, 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 balances the tension T in the string.
𝑇 = 𝑚𝑔𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑻 − 𝒎𝒈𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝟎

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𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 gives restoring force.

𝐹 = −𝑚𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
If ‘θ’ is small 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝜃
𝐹 = −𝑚𝑔𝜃 (ii)
Sub (i) in (ii)
𝑥
𝐹 = −𝑚𝑔 (iii)
𝑙

According to newton’s second law

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 (iv)
(iii) = (iv)
𝑥
𝑚𝑎 = −𝑚𝑔
𝑙
𝑥
𝑎 = −𝑔 (v)
𝑙

Here g and l are constants.

Therefore acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and acts towards mean
position 𝑎 ∝ −𝑥.
It executes SHM.
In SHM, 𝑎 = −𝜔2𝑥(vi)
(v) = (vi)
𝑥
−𝑔 = 𝜔2𝑥
𝑙
𝑔
𝜔2 =
𝑙
𝑔
𝜔 = √ (vii)
𝑙

Time period
2𝜋
𝑇=
𝜔
𝑔
sub 𝜔 = √ from (vii)
𝑙

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋√
𝑔

Time period is independent of mass of bob and amplitude of vibration when θ is small.
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Second’s pendulum It possess tie period of two seconds.

11. Show that oscillation of a loaded spring executes and derive the expression for
time period.
A. When a spring is stretched or compressed by a distance x, restoring force acts on it.
𝐹 ∝ −𝑥
𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥 (i)

Where k is the spring constant.

According to Newton’s second law
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 (ii)
(i) = (ii)
𝑚𝑎 = −𝑘𝑥
𝑘
𝑎 = − 𝑥 (iii)
𝑚

In equation (iii) 𝑎 ∝ −𝑥.  oscillation of loaded spring executes SHM. It is the

acceleration of the body of mass m.
In SHM 𝑎 = −𝜔2𝑥 (iv)
(iii) = (iv)
𝑘
−𝜔2𝑥 = − 𝑥
𝑚
𝑘
𝜔2 =
𝑚
𝑘
𝜔=√
𝑚

Time period
2𝜋 𝑚
𝑇= = 2𝜋√
𝜔 𝑘
𝒎
𝑻 = 𝟐𝝅√
𝒌
12. Define force constants. Give its unit.
A. 𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥
If x = 1, F = k (neglecting –ve sign)
Force constants of a spring is defined as restoring force per unit displacement of spring.
SI unit N/m
Dimensional formula: MT ⁻²

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