SimReal: Physics - K14 - Periodic Motion - SHM - Horizontal UiA Logo

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SHM - Horizontal


A box with mass m is connected to a horizontal, elastic spring with spring constant k.
Elastic spring means that the force F on the box from the spring is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position and always directed towards the equilibrium position.
Therefore the force from the spring is given by:

F = -kx


Together with Newton's second law:
F = ma

and the definition of the acceleration a:
a = d2x/dt2

the expression for the displacement x as a function of time t is given by:

x = Acos(ωt+φ)

where we have the following: 
A : Amplitude (maximum displacement) 
ω : Angular velocity  ω = (k/m)-1/2
φ : Phase angle
In this simulation you can change mass, force constant and amplitude.
You can see the velocity vector and the different forces.
In addition you can see the reference circle to get a better understanding of the angular velocity.

Click on the 'Info' button to get some information about the objects in the control window.

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