Simple Harmonic Motion
- Author:
- Dr. Doug Davis, 3D
This shows simple harmonic motion. A mass supported by a spring is pulled down and then released. The mass moves up and down in a sinusoidal motion. If a box is checked a point showing the corresponding value will be shown on the graph along with a trace of the point. The clear button will remove the traces. Clicking the reset button will start the motion by releasing the mass and remove the traces.
The sliders are for the spring constant, "k", the mass of the weight, "m", and the initial offset of the mass. Initially leave the "k" and "m" sliders at .03 and 1 respectively.
The main task here is to note the relationship between the position, velocity, acceleration and jerk. Also observe the shape of each when plotted versus time.
What happens to the amplitude of Velocity when the amplitude of position is changed with the "Offset" slider.
The frequency can be changed with the "k" and "m" sliders. Which slider increases the frequency and which slider decreases the frequency?
When the frequency is changed, what happens to the velocity magnitude?