Simple Harmonic Motion

Question 1

What is the definition of Simple Harmonic Motion?

Answer 1

When an object is displaced from its equilibrium or at rest position and the unbalanced force is proportional to the displacement of the object and acts in the opposite direction, the motion is said to be simple harmonic (e.g. mass of a spring)

Question 2

When displacement is up, which way is the acceleration trying to act?

Answer 2

Down

Question 3

When displacement is down, which way is the acceleration trying to act?

Answer 3

Up

Question 4

Velocity is the gradient of what graph?

Answer 4

Displacement/time

Question 5

Acceleration is the gradient of what graph?

Answer 5

Velocity/time

Question 6

What happens when a system is overdamped?

Answer 6

A system which moves slowly towards equilibrium

Question 7

What happens when a system is underdamped?

Answer 7

Moves quickly towards equilibrium

Question 8

A critically damped system moves?

Answer 8

As quickly as possible toward equilibrium without oscillating about the equilibrium.