harmonic_motion.gif (13326 bytes)

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION BY PROJECTION
(Works only so-so.)






EQUIPMENT
    redball.gif (326 bytes) Elecrtic Winder
    redball.gif (326 bytes) Pointer
    redball.gif (326 bytes) Weights (1000 g + 150 g + 50 g(hanger) + 20 + pointer = 1590 g)
    redball.gif (326 bytes) Yellow Spring (k = 33.2)
    redball.gif (326 bytes) 6 VDC Light Source



NARRATIVE
             Uniform circular motion when viewed along the diameter of a traced circle, appears to be identical to simple harmonic motion. This observation can be applied to the description of simple harmonic motion with a sine curve.

            Set up a tall stand with the spring, weights, and pointer. Set up a smaller stand with a motor driven winder beside the other stand so that the yellow balls face each other and can be projected on the screen by the light source. Match the oscillations of the pointer with those of the winder and the shadow will appear to be that of two simple harmonic oscillators.