Harmonic Oscillator
A simple harmonic oscillator.
A simple harmonic motion can be used as a mathematical model for a variety of motions such as the oscillation of a spring.
The time period of a simple harmonic oscillator can be expressed as
T = 2 π (m / k)1/2 (1)
where
T = time period (s)
m = mass (kg)
k = spring constant (N/m)
Example - Time Period of a Simple Harmonic Oscillator
A mass of 500 kg is connected to a spring with a spring constant 16000 N/m. The time period can be calculated as
T = 2 π ((500 kg) / (16000 N/m))1/2
= 1.1 s