Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is everywhere around you - from... Show more
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Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion
The key to SHM is surprisingly simple: the restoring force is always proportional to how far you are from the centre, but it always pulls you back towards equilibrium. Think of a mass on a spring - the further you stretch it, the harder it pulls back.
The mathematical relationship is F = -ky, where k is the spring constant and the negative sign shows the force opposes displacement. This connects directly to Newton's second law, giving us a = -ω²y - acceleration is proportional to displacement but in the opposite direction.
The angular frequency ω links everything together through ω = 2πf = 2π/T. This determines how quickly your system oscillates, whether it's a pendulum or a vibrating string.
Key insight: The graphs of displacement, velocity, and acceleration are all sinusoidal but shifted relative to each other - when displacement is maximum, velocity is zero!
SHM Equations and Graphs
The beauty of SHM lies in its predictable equations. For displacement, you'll use y = A sin ωt (starting from equilibrium) or y = A cos ωt (starting from maximum displacement), where A is the amplitude.
Velocity follows as v = -Aω cos ωt or v = -Aω sin ωt depending on your starting conditions. Notice how velocity is maximum when displacement is zero - that's when the object flies through the equilibrium position.
Acceleration is always a = -ω²y, directly linking it to displacement. The graphs show these three quantities as sine and cosine waves, each phase-shifted by 90° from the next.
Remember: When displacement is at its peak, velocity is zero (the object momentarily stops before changing direction), and acceleration is at maximum (pulling hardest towards centre).
Deriving Key SHM Relationships
One of the most useful equations in SHM is v = ±ω√, which connects velocity to position at any moment. The derivation uses the trigonometric identity sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, transforming the basic equations into this practical form.
This equation tells you something fascinating: as displacement increases, velocity must decrease. At the extreme positions , velocity becomes zero, whilst at equilibrium , velocity reaches its maximum value of ±ωA.
For pendulums, the period formula T = 2π√ only works for small angles. This is crucial for A-level problems - large amplitude pendulum swings don't follow simple harmonic motion.
Pro tip: The ± sign in the velocity equation accounts for direction - the object can be moving towards or away from equilibrium at any given displacement.
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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Advanced Higher Physics: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes
Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is everywhere around you - from the pendulum in a grandfather clock to the vibrations in your phone. It's a special type of motion where objects oscillate back and forth with a predictable pattern, making it... Show more
Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion
The key to SHM is surprisingly simple: the restoring force is always proportional to how far you are from the centre, but it always pulls you back towards equilibrium. Think of a mass on a spring - the further you stretch it, the harder it pulls back.
The mathematical relationship is F = -ky, where k is the spring constant and the negative sign shows the force opposes displacement. This connects directly to Newton's second law, giving us a = -ω²y - acceleration is proportional to displacement but in the opposite direction.
The angular frequency ω links everything together through ω = 2πf = 2π/T. This determines how quickly your system oscillates, whether it's a pendulum or a vibrating string.
Key insight: The graphs of displacement, velocity, and acceleration are all sinusoidal but shifted relative to each other - when displacement is maximum, velocity is zero!
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SHM Equations and Graphs
The beauty of SHM lies in its predictable equations. For displacement, you'll use y = A sin ωt (starting from equilibrium) or y = A cos ωt (starting from maximum displacement), where A is the amplitude.
Velocity follows as v = -Aω cos ωt or v = -Aω sin ωt depending on your starting conditions. Notice how velocity is maximum when displacement is zero - that's when the object flies through the equilibrium position.
Acceleration is always a = -ω²y, directly linking it to displacement. The graphs show these three quantities as sine and cosine waves, each phase-shifted by 90° from the next.
Remember: When displacement is at its peak, velocity is zero (the object momentarily stops before changing direction), and acceleration is at maximum (pulling hardest towards centre).
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Deriving Key SHM Relationships
One of the most useful equations in SHM is v = ±ω√, which connects velocity to position at any moment. The derivation uses the trigonometric identity sin²θ + cos²θ = 1, transforming the basic equations into this practical form.
This equation tells you something fascinating: as displacement increases, velocity must decrease. At the extreme positions , velocity becomes zero, whilst at equilibrium , velocity reaches its maximum value of ±ωA.
For pendulums, the period formula T = 2π√ only works for small angles. This is crucial for A-level problems - large amplitude pendulum swings don't follow simple harmonic motion.
Pro tip: The ± sign in the velocity equation accounts for direction - the object can be moving towards or away from equilibrium at any given displacement.
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4.8/5
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user