Simple Harmonic Motion Worksheet

1. Physics 101 Learning Object #1:
Simple Harmonic Motion Worksheet
Given is a displacement, velocity, acceleration time graphs of an oscillator:
1. Find the amplitude.
2. Find the angular frequency.
3. What is FALSE about Simple Harmonic Motion? Explain.
a) Amplitude plays a role in the energy of an oscillator, a particle with greater energy has greater
amplitude
b) Velocity is defined with a sine function and displacement varies as a cosine function.
c) The displacement and acceleration of oscillator has no relation at all.
d) The phase constant changes with time, while the phase does not.

2. Physics 101 Learning Object #1:
Simple Harmonic Motion Worksheet Solutions
1. Find the amplitude.
Look at maximum displacement the object took on the displacement graph from its equilibrium
position (t = 0) and is always positive.
A = 3.00 m
With units in metres.
2. Find the angular frequency.
The period for our graph is at t = 3.2s. The equation is get angular frequency is:
ω = 2πf = 2π/T
2π/3.2 = 1.96 rad/s
With units in radians per second.
What is FALSE about Simple Harmonic Motion? Explain.
a) Amplitude plays a role in the energy of an oscillator, a particle with greater energy has greater
amplitude
b) Velocity is defined with a sine function and displacement varies as a cosine function.
c) The displacement and acceleration of the oscillator have no relation at all.
d) The phase constant changes with time, while the phase does not.
Answer: C - The displacement and acceleration of the oscillator have no relation at all.
Explanation:For all objects that have simple harmonic motion, the displacement is always in the
opposite direction of the acceleration and the acceleration of the object thats is oscillating is at all
times proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium. The proportionality between the
acceleration and the displacement is equal to the square of its angular frequency.