Simple Harmonic Motion
Springs
F=-kx (Hooke’s Law)
higher k=stiffer spring
Oscillating Systems

Angular Frequency
ω
radians
180/π degrees
360 degrees = 2π radians
Equation for Position of a spring as it moves through its cycle as a funciton of time
x= X cos (ωt)
Springs as Conservative Systems
(2 conditions, 1 formula)
Conditions: 1) small oscillations, 2) short periods of time
[assume all the potential energy of the spring will be converted to kinetic energy as it oscillates.]
U=(1/2)kx2
K=(1/2)mv2
E=K + U = constant
Simple Pendulum
F= -mg sinθ
Angular Frequency of a Pendulum (of length L)
ω= 2πf=√(g/L)
Pendulums as Conservative Systems
Neglect air resistance and friction and mechanism supporting pendulum above:
Comparing: mass-spring system and the simple pendulum

Frequency and Period
Frequency:
Period:
Transverse Waves

Longitudinal Waves

Displacement (y) of a particle in a wave at a point (x)
y=Y sin (kx - ωt)
where Y is the amplitude (maximum displacement), k is the wavenumber (don’t confuse this k, wavenumber, with the spring constant k in Hooke’s law!), ω is the angular frequency, and t is the time.
speed of the wave (v)
v= (fλ) = (ω/k) = (λ/T)
because
v=fλ
k=2π/λ
ω=2πf=2π/T
f=1/T
Phase difference
Destructive (vs constructive) interference

Traveling Wave

standing waves
Points in the wave that remain at rest (i.e., points where amplitude is constantly zero) are known as nodes, and points that are midway between the nodes are known as antinodes.
Antinodes are points that fluctuate with maximum amplitude.
The length of the medium dictates the wavelengths of traveling wave that are necessary for establishing the standing wave. Furthermore, the nature of the boundary dictates the appearance of a node or antinode at the boundary itself.
Natural Frequency
frequency or frequencies at which an object will vibrate when disturbed
forced oscillation
Resonance
If the frequency of the periodic force is equal to a natural frequency of the system, then the system is said to be resonating, and the amplitude of the oscillation is at a maximum.
If the oscillating system were frictionless the periodically varying force would continually add energy to the system, and the amplitude would increase indefinitely.
Dampening
because no system is completely frictionless, there is always some dampening, which results in a finite amplitude of oscillation.
Sound
transmitted by the oscillation of particles along the direction of motion of the sound wave. Therefore, sound waves are longitudinal.