Example

It is known that a load with a mass of 200g will stretch a spring 10.0cm. The spring is then
stretched an additional5.0 cm and released. Find:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

The spring constant

The period of vibration and frequency
The maximum acceleration
The velocity through equilibrium position
The equation of motion

(i)

Force acting on the spring

(ii)

To find the Period of vibration let

Frequency
(iii)
Then using the equation,
the maximum acceleration is

(iv)

Maximum velocity occurs when the mass passes through the equilibrium position,
and

(v)

Equation of motion:

since
cm

Superposition of simple harmonic vibrations (One dimensional, 1-D)

In general vibrations we find in nature are not simple harmonic. For example, a persons blood
pressure is periodic and may have a tracing like that shown in following figure.

The curve is equivalent to the sum of a number of simple harmonic motions (SHM). These
SHMs are called the normal modes of vibrations of the system (heart), and analysis of complex
vibrations in terms of normal modes is an example of a very useful technique called Fourier
analysis.
The above blood pressure tracing can be analyzed using such techniques, and for example a
change in the relative contributions can be used in the diagnosis of various heart conditions.

Let us consider two simple harmonic vibrations one having an amplitude

angular frequency
and the other having an amplitude
and angular frequency 2 . The corresponding
waveforms for the two vibrations and the resultant waveform can be represented graphically as
follows.

Mathematical treatment
Consider two one dimensional SHM vibrations,

When they are superposed the resultant amplitude x will be given by

Phasor diagram
The phasor diagram of the two vibrations is shown in the above figure.
Note: Both phasors rotate with same
Therefore the resultant phasor should also rotate with the same angular velocity.
The phasor of the resultant SHM vibration can therefore be expressed as
(10)
where

and

(11)

(12)

Note: The resultant of two waves of the same frequency is also a simple harmonic wave.
Superposition of SH vibrations of different frequencies
(Beats)
Consider the superposition of following two SH vibrations of angular frequencies

and

(13)
(14)
Then

The resultant wave is a combination of two waves; one represents a sinusoidal oscillation having
an average frequency of

, and displacement amplitude of 2A, which is called the carrier

wave. Amplitude of the carrier wave varies between 2A and zero under the influence of the
cosine term having a much slower frequency of
which is called the modulation wave. The
amplitude of the modulation wave is twice that of the individual waves. This growth and decay
of amplitude is registered as beats, and
is called the beat frequency.

2A

-2A

Carrier wave

Modulation wave

Superposition of two perpendicular SHM vibrations (2-D) of same frequency

Suppose that a particle moves under the simultaneous influence of two simple harmonic vibrations of
equal frequency, one along the x axis, and the other along the perpendicular y axis. Let us find out the
resultant motion. The corresponding displacements may be written as,
(15)
(16)
The path followed by the particle under the this situation can be obtained by eliminating the time t
from these equations, and deriving an expression involving only x and y and the constants
Using the relationship cos (A+B) = cosA cosB sinA SinB
The expressions (15) & (16) can be rewritten as

(17)
(18)

(17)

and (18)

yield
(19)
(20)

(19) (20)

(21)

Similarly, (17)

and (18)

yield
(22)

(23)

(22) (23)

(24)

i.e.

(25)
y

This is a general equation of an ellipse. See figure.

Here

However, depending on the value of the phase difference

the tip of the resultant
phasor may also follow other paths such as circles and straight lines

Case(i):
is a multiple of

Then the above equation will be reduced to

.

+
+

(When n is even,

which is an equation representing a straight line with a positive gradient

(

when n is odd

y
x

Case (ii)

When

and

is an odd multiple of

i.e.

where
Let

, then sin
equation will be reduced to

and if we write

the above

which represents a circle.

x
Case (iii)
When
where

and

is an odd multiple of
above equation will be reduced to

This equation represents an ellipse.

y
x

x leads y by: 0