Define Simple Harmonic Motion

The acceleration or unbalanced force is proportional to the displacement of the object from its equilibrium position and acts in the opposite direction

Mathematically, this may be expressed as a=-w^2y where a is the acceleration and y is the displacement from the equilibrium position. w (omega) is the angular frequency measured in reciprocal seconds (s^-1) and defined as w=2*pi/T where T is the time period of oscillation.

LM
Answered by Liam M. Physics tutor

5056 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A boy (25kg) and a girl (20kg) are playing on a see-saw which is 4m long. If the boy sits 1m from the centre on the left side and the girl 2m from the centre on the other, which direction will the see-saw will rotate around its centre?


Can you explain the Work-Energy principle and how you can apply it in a simple situation such as a box sliding down a rough slope?


A transmitter from a researcher's boat sends a signal to the seabed of waves speed 300m/s and it takes 5 seconds for the signal to return back to the boat. Calculate the depth of the sea there.


What is an electron volt?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning