1. Measuring Simple Harmonic Motion
Vibrations and Waves
Measuring Simple Harmonic Motion

2. Amplitude, Period, and Frequency
Amplitude – the maximum displacement from equilibrium
Measured in meters (m) or radians (rad)
Period – the time it takes to execute a complete cycle of motion
Measured in seconds (s)
Symbol is T
Frequency – the number of cycles or vibrations per unit of time
Measured in Hertz (Hz) which is 1/s
Symbol is f or lowercase Greek nu (ν)

3. Amplitude, Period, and Frequency
Frequency = 1/period
f = 1/T
Period of a simple pendulum in simple harmonic motion depends on the pendulum length and free-fall acceleration
Long pendula have higher periods than shorter ones
For small amplitudes, amplitude does not affect period
Period = 2π * √(length / free-fall acceleration)
T= 2π√(L/g)

4. Amplitude, Period, and Frequency

5. Amplitude, Period, and Frequency
Period of a mass-spring system depends on mass and spring-constant
Must overcome inertia, so more massive objects have longer periods than less massive ones
The higher the spring constant, the shorter the period
Amplitude does not affect period
Period = 2π * √(mass / spring constant)
T= 2π√(m/k)