Simple Harmonic Motion

Periodic oscillation whose restoring force is proportional to displacement, as in an ideal mass-spring or small-angle pendulum.

Specifications & Metrics

symbol

F = −kx

Core Principles & Analysis

• The restoring force obeys Hooke's law, F = −kx, where k is the spring constant and x the displacement from equilibrium.
• The period T = 2π√(m/k) is independent of the oscillation's amplitude.
• For a pendulum T = 2π√(l/g), so a pendulum of the same length swings more slowly on the Moon.

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Sources

• Wikipedia: Simple harmonic motion