Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion in which an object oscillates back and forth around a central equilibrium point. It is characterized by a restoring force that is directly proportional to the displacement of the object from its equilibrium position.
The frequency of simple harmonic motion is affected by the mass of the object, the stiffness of the restoring force, and the amplitude of the oscillation. It is also independent of the initial displacement and velocity of the object.
Simple harmonic motion differs from other types of periodic motion in that it follows a specific mathematical pattern known as a sinusoidal function. This means that the motion is smooth and repetitive, with equal amounts of time spent on each half of the oscillation.
Some common examples of simple harmonic motion include the motion of a pendulum, the vibrations of a guitar string, and the oscillations of a mass on a spring. These examples all exhibit a back-and-forth motion around a central equilibrium point.
Simple harmonic motion has many practical applications, including timekeeping devices such as clocks and watches, shock absorbers in vehicles, and tuning forks used to tune musical instruments. It is also used in various types of machinery and equipment to control and regulate motion.