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Physics Lesson 10.1.2 - Types of Simple Harmonic Motion

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Welcome to our Physics lesson on Types of Simple Harmonic Motion, this is the second lesson of our suite of physics lessons covering the topic of Simple Harmonic Motion, you can find links to the other lessons within this tutorial and access additional physics learning resources below this lesson.

Types of Simple Harmonic Motion

Based on the trajectory (path) of the oscillating object, there are two types of simple harmonic motion.

1) If oscillations occur according a straight line, such as when we pull a spring and then we release it, we obtain a linear simple harmonic motion, For example, an oscillating spring makes linear simple harmonic motion as shown in the figure below.

Physics Tutorials: This image provides visual information for the physics tutorial Simple Harmonic Motion

In this case, elastic force acts as a restoring force because it tries to oppose the springs elongation or compression.

2) If a hanged object swings around a central line (usually a vertical line dictated by the existence of gravity), we have an angular simple harmonic motion as shown in the figure below.

Physics Tutorials: This image provides visual information for the physics tutorial Simple Harmonic Motion

The angle θ is an important parameter of SHM for which we will discuss in the next paragraph. Here, the direction of restoring force F is determined by the sum of the two force vectors acting on the object: gravitational force Fg and tension T of the string, whose sum gives the restoring force F.

We will discuss angular SHM in the next Physics tutorial. In this topic we will focus exclusively on linear SHM.

You have reached the end of Physics lesson 10.1.2 Types of Simple Harmonic Motion. There are 6 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Simple Harmonic Motion, you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.

More Simple Harmonic Motion Lessons and Learning Resources

Oscillations Learning Material
Tutorial IDPhysics Tutorial TitleTutorialVideo
Tutorial
Revision
Notes
Revision
Questions
10.1Simple Harmonic Motion
Lesson IDPhysics Lesson TitleLessonVideo
Lesson
10.1.1What is Simple Harmonic Motion?
10.1.2Types of Simple Harmonic Motion
10.1.3Conditions for the Existence of Simple Harmonic Motion
10.1.4Equation of Simple Harmonic Motion
10.1.5Velocity and Acceleration in a Simple Harmonic Motion
10.1.6SHM in Elastic Springs

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  2. Oscillations Physics tutorial: Simple Harmonic Motion. Read the Simple Harmonic Motion physics tutorial and build your physics knowledge of Oscillations
  3. Oscillations Revision Notes: Simple Harmonic Motion. Print the notes so you can revise the key points covered in the physics tutorial for Simple Harmonic Motion
  4. Oscillations Practice Questions: Simple Harmonic Motion. Test and improve your knowledge of Simple Harmonic Motion with example questins and answers
  5. Check your calculations for Oscillations questions with our excellent Oscillations calculators which contain full equations and calculations clearly displayed line by line. See the Oscillations Calculators by iCalculator™ below.
  6. Continuing learning oscillations - read our next physics tutorial: Pendulums. Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion

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