SHM Equations and Graphs
Displacement, velocity, acceleration, phase, phase difference, x-t graph, v-t graph, a-t graph, ellipse relations, numericals and PYQs.
1. Displacement Equation in SHM
The displacement equation tells where the particle is at any instant. For sine form, the particle starts from mean position and initially moves toward the positive side.
x is displacement from mean position, A is amplitude, ω is angular frequency and t is time. At t = 0, x = 0 and the graph initially rises.
Physical Meaning
The particle does not move uniformly. It is fastest near the mean position and slowest near the extreme. The sine equation captures this smooth repeated motion.
Example
If x = 5 sin(10t) cm, amplitude is 5 cm and angular frequency is 10 rad/s. The body begins at the mean position.
Exam Trap and Common Mistake
Trap: x = A sin(ωt) and x = A cos(ωt) describe the same SHM with different starting points.
Mistake: taking A as total distance between two extremes. The distance between extremes is 2A, not A.
Memory trick: sine form starts from zero; cosine form starts from maximum positive displacement.
2. Velocity Equation Derivation
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. Differentiating x = A sin(ωt) gives the velocity equation.
Starting with x = A sin(ωt), velocity is dx/dt. Since derivative of sin(ωt) is ω cos(ωt),
Velocity starts from maximum positive value because cos 0 = 1. This matches the sine-form displacement: at mean position, speed is maximum.
This sine-form relation shows that velocity leads displacement by π/2.
Physical Meaning, Example and Mistake
Physical meaning: velocity is maximum at mean position and zero at extremes.
Example: if A = 0.20 m and ω = 5 rad/s, maximum speed is Aω = 1 m/s.
Exam trap: velocity is not always Aω. Aω is only maximum velocity. At general x, use v2 = ω2(A2 − x2).
3. Acceleration Equation Derivation
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. It is always directed towards the mean position.
From v = Aω cos(ωt), differentiating again gives acceleration:
At t = 0, acceleration is zero. Immediately after t = 0, displacement is positive and acceleration becomes negative.
Since x = A sin(ωt), acceleration is directly proportional to displacement and opposite in direction.
This shows acceleration differs in phase from displacement by π.
Physical Meaning, Example and Common Mistake
Physical meaning: when the particle is on the positive side, acceleration pulls it back negative. When it is on the negative side, acceleration is positive.
Example: if ω = 10 rad/s and x = 0.03 m, a = −100 × 0.03 = −3 m/s2.
Mistake: saying acceleration is maximum at mean position. Actually acceleration is zero at mean and maximum at extremes.
4. Phase Concept
Phase tells the stage of oscillation. In x = A sin(ωt + φ), the quantity (ωt + φ) is phase.
Definition
Phase decides the current position and direction of motion in a cycle. Two SHMs can have the same amplitude and frequency but different phases.
Physical Meaning
If two students on swings pass the mean position together in the same direction, they are in phase. If one is at the right extreme while the other is at the left extreme, they differ by π.
Exam Trap
Do not compare only positions. Same position can occur with opposite velocities. Full phase comparison needs stage and direction.
5. Phase Difference Between x, v and a
Required Relations
- v leads x by π/2 because v = Aω sin(ωt + π/2).
- a is opposite in phase to x because a = −ω2x.
- a leads x by π or differs by π because a = Aω2 sin(ωt + π).
- a leads v by π/2 in phase language; equivalently v and a differ by π/2.
Example, Trap and Mistake
Example: at t = 0 for x = A sin(ωt), displacement is zero, velocity is maximum positive and acceleration is zero.
Trap: "lead" depends on the chosen reference equation. Always rewrite as sine functions before comparing phase.
Mistake: saying acceleration and displacement are in same phase because both become maximum at extremes. Their signs are opposite, so they differ by π.
| Quantity | Equation | At t = 0 | Phase Compared With x |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | x = A sin(ωt) | 0, increasing | Reference |
| Velocity | v = Aω cos(ωt) = Aω sin(ωt + π/2) | Maximum positive | Leads x by π/2 |
| Acceleration | a = −Aω2 sin(ωt) = Aω2 sin(ωt + π) | 0, decreasing | Differs from x by π |
6. Graphical Understanding
The graphs below follow the sine-form starting condition: x starts from zero and increases, v starts from maximum positive, and a starts from zero and decreases.
x-t Graph: x = A sin(ωt)
v-t Graph: v = Aω cos(ωt)
a-t Graph: a = −Aω² sin(ωt)
Combined Phase Graph
v-x Ellipse
a-x Straight Line: a = −ω²x
7. Ellipse Form Relations
Eliminating time from SHM equations gives relations between displacement, velocity and acceleration. These are powerful in JEE and graph questions.
This is the v-x ellipse. Maximum x is A and maximum speed is Aω.
This gives speed at any displacement without time.
The a-x graph is a straight line through origin with negative slope.
This is the a-v ellipse. Maximum acceleration is Aω2.
Need Help With SHM Equations?
If SHM equations and graphs are not clear and you are looking for a Physics Tutor, contact Kumar Sir.
8. Important Formula Sheet
Sine displacement form; starts from mean position.
Velocity form; starts from maximum positive.
Acceleration form; opposite to displacement.
Maximum speed at mean position.
Maximum acceleration at extremes.
Time period from angular frequency.
9. 40 Solved Numericals
Attempt each problem before opening the solution. These cover equations, phase, graphs, velocity-displacement relations and acceleration relations.
1. Identify amplitude
Question: x = 8 sin(4t) cm. Find A and ω.
Show Solution
Given: x = 8 sin(4t) cm.
Formula: Compare with x = A sin(ωt).
Solution: A = 8 cm and ω = 4 rad/s.
Final Answer: A = 8 cm, ω = 4 rad/s.
2. Time period
Question: x = 5 sin(10πt) cm. Find T.
Show Solution
Given: ω = 10π rad/s.
Formula: T = 2π/ω.
Solution: T = 2π/(10π) = 0.2 s.
Final Answer: 0.2 s.
3. Maximum speed
Question: A = 0.1 m and ω = 20 rad/s. Find vmax.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.1 m, ω = 20 rad/s.
Formula: vmax = Aω.
Solution: vmax = 0.1 × 20 = 2 m/s.
Final Answer: 2 m/s.
4. Maximum acceleration
Question: A = 0.05 m and ω = 10 rad/s. Find amax.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.05 m, ω = 10 rad/s.
Formula: amax = Aω2.
Solution: amax = 0.05 × 100 = 5 m/s2.
Final Answer: 5 m/s2.
5. Velocity at time
Question: x = 0.2 sin(5t). Find v at t = 0.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.2 m, ω = 5 rad/s, t = 0.
Formula: v = Aω cos(ωt).
Solution: v = 0.2 × 5 × cos 0 = 1 m/s.
Final Answer: 1 m/s.
6. Acceleration at time
Question: x = 0.1 sin(10t). Find acceleration at t = π/20 s.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.1 m, ω = 10 rad/s, ωt = π/2.
Formula: a = −Aω2 sin(ωt).
Solution: a = −0.1 × 100 × 1 = −10 m/s2.
Final Answer: −10 m/s2.
7. Speed at displacement
Question: A = 10 cm, x = 6 cm, ω = 5 rad/s. Find speed.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.10 m, x = 0.06 m, ω = 5 rad/s.
Formula: v = ω√(A2 − x2).
Solution: v = 5√(0.01 − 0.0036) = 5 × 0.08 = 0.40 m/s.
Final Answer: 0.40 m/s.
8. Acceleration from x
Question: If x = 0.04 m and ω = 6 rad/s, find a.
Show Solution
Given: x = 0.04 m, ω = 6 rad/s.
Formula: a = −ω2x.
Solution: a = −36 × 0.04 = −1.44 m/s2.
Final Answer: −1.44 m/s2.
9. Frequency from equation
Question: x = 2 sin(8πt) cm. Find frequency.
Show Solution
Given: ω = 8π rad/s.
Formula: ω = 2πf.
Solution: f = 8π/(2π) = 4 Hz.
Final Answer: 4 Hz.
10. Phase at time
Question: For x = A sin(20t), find phase at t = 0.1 s.
Show Solution
Given: ω = 20 rad/s, t = 0.1 s.
Formula: phase = ωt.
Solution: phase = 20 × 0.1 = 2 rad.
Final Answer: 2 rad.
11. Phase difference
Question: What is phase difference between x and v?
Show Solution
Given: x = A sin(ωt), v = Aω sin(ωt + π/2).
Formula: compare sine phases.
Solution: v leads x by π/2.
Final Answer: π/2.
12. Acceleration phase
Question: What is phase difference between x and a?
Show Solution
Given: a = −ω2x.
Formula: opposite sign means phase difference π.
Solution: a and x are opposite in phase.
Final Answer: π.
13. Speed at half amplitude
Question: Find speed at x = A/2 if vmax = 12 m/s.
Show Solution
Given: x = A/2, vmax = Aω = 12.
Formula: v = vmax√(1 − x2/A2).
Solution: v = 12√(1 − 1/4) = 6√3 m/s.
Final Answer: 6√3 m/s.
14. Acceleration at half amplitude
Question: amax = 24 m/s2. Find |a| at x = A/2.
Show Solution
Given: x = A/2.
Formula: |a| = ω2x.
Solution: |a| = amax/2 = 12 m/s2.
Final Answer: 12 m/s2.
15. Find amplitude
Question: vmax = 3 m/s and ω = 15 rad/s. Find A.
Show Solution
Given: vmax = 3 m/s, ω = 15 rad/s.
Formula: vmax = Aω.
Solution: A = 3/15 = 0.20 m.
Final Answer: 0.20 m.
16. Find angular frequency
Question: amax = 18 m/s2 and A = 0.02 m. Find ω.
Show Solution
Given: amax = 18, A = 0.02.
Formula: amax = Aω2.
Solution: ω2 = 18/0.02 = 900, so ω = 30 rad/s.
Final Answer: 30 rad/s.
17. Displacement at zero velocity
Question: In SHM, velocity is zero. What is displacement?
Show Solution
Given: v = 0.
Formula: v2 = ω2(A2 − x2).
Solution: A2 − x2 = 0, so x = ±A.
Final Answer: Extreme position, x = ±A.
18. Acceleration at mean
Question: Find acceleration at x = 0.
Show Solution
Given: x = 0.
Formula: a = −ω2x.
Solution: a = 0.
Final Answer: 0.
19. Time for first maximum x
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), when does x first become A?
Show Solution
Given: sin(ωt) = 1.
Formula: ωt = π/2.
Solution: t = π/(2ω) = T/4.
Final Answer: T/4.
20. Time for first zero velocity
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), when does velocity first become zero?
Show Solution
Given: v = Aω cos(ωt).
Formula: cos(ωt) = 0.
Solution: first zero at ωt = π/2, so t = T/4.
Final Answer: T/4.
21. Equation of acceleration
Question: If x = 4 sin(3t) cm, write acceleration equation in cm/s2.
Show Solution
Given: A = 4 cm, ω = 3 rad/s.
Formula: a = −Aω2 sin(ωt).
Solution: a = −4 × 9 sin(3t) = −36 sin(3t) cm/s2.
Final Answer: a = −36 sin(3t) cm/s2.
22. Equation of velocity
Question: If x = 0.05 sin(40t), write v.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.05 m, ω = 40 rad/s.
Formula: v = Aω cos(ωt).
Solution: v = 0.05 × 40 cos(40t) = 2 cos(40t).
Final Answer: v = 2 cos(40t) m/s.
23. Use v-x relation
Question: A = 0.5 m, ω = 4 rad/s. At x = 0.3 m, find v.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.5, x = 0.3, ω = 4.
Formula: v = ω√(A2 − x2).
Solution: v = 4√(0.25 − 0.09) = 4 × 0.4 = 1.6 m/s.
Final Answer: 1.6 m/s.
24. Find x from v
Question: A = 0.2 m, ω = 10 rad/s, speed = 1 m/s. Find |x|.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.2, ω = 10, v = 1.
Formula: v2 = ω2(A2 − x2).
Solution: 1 = 100(0.04 − x2), so x2 = 0.03.
Final Answer: |x| = √0.03 m = 0.173 m approximately.
25. Ratio of speed
Question: Find v/vmax at x = 3A/5.
Show Solution
Given: x/A = 3/5.
Formula: v/vmax = √(1 − x2/A2).
Solution: v/vmax = √(1 − 9/25) = 4/5.
Final Answer: 4/5.
26. Ratio of acceleration
Question: Find |a|/amax at x = 3A/5.
Show Solution
Given: x/A = 3/5.
Formula: |a|/amax = |x|/A.
Solution: ratio = 3/5.
Final Answer: 3/5.
27. Sine phase form
Question: Rewrite v = Aω cos(ωt) in sine form.
Show Solution
Given: cos θ = sin(θ + π/2).
Formula: v = Aω sin(ωt + π/2).
Solution: replace θ by ωt.
Final Answer: v = Aω sin(ωt + π/2).
28. Acceleration sine form
Question: Rewrite a = −Aω2 sin(ωt) as a shifted sine.
Show Solution
Given: sin(θ + π) = −sin θ.
Formula: a = Aω2 sin(ωt + π).
Solution: use phase shift π.
Final Answer: a = Aω2 sin(ωt + π).
29. Find A from v and x
Question: At x = 0.06 m, v = 0.8 m/s, and ω = 10 rad/s. Find A.
Show Solution
Given: x = 0.06, v = 0.8, ω = 10.
Formula: A2 = x2 + v2/ω2.
Solution: A2 = 0.0036 + 0.64/100 = 0.0100.
Final Answer: A = 0.10 m.
30. Find ω from a and x
Question: At x = 0.05 m, acceleration is −20 m/s2. Find ω.
Show Solution
Given: a = −20, x = 0.05.
Formula: a = −ω2x.
Solution: 20 = ω2 × 0.05, so ω2 = 400.
Final Answer: ω = 20 rad/s.
31. Initial values
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), find x, v and a at t = 0.
Show Solution
Given: t = 0.
Formula: x = A sin0, v = Aω cos0, a = −Aω2 sin0.
Solution: x = 0, v = Aω, a = 0.
Final Answer: x = 0, v = Aω, a = 0.
32. Quarter period values
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), find x, v and a at t = T/4.
Show Solution
Given: t = T/4 means ωt = π/2.
Formula: use sine and cosine values.
Solution: x = A, v = 0, a = −Aω2.
Final Answer: x = A, v = 0, a = −Aω2.
33. Half period values
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), find x, v and a at t = T/2.
Show Solution
Given: ωt = π.
Formula: sinπ = 0, cosπ = −1.
Solution: x = 0, v = −Aω, a = 0.
Final Answer: x = 0, v = −Aω, a = 0.
34. Three-quarter period
Question: For x = A sin(ωt), find x, v and a at t = 3T/4.
Show Solution
Given: ωt = 3π/2.
Formula: sin(3π/2) = −1, cos(3π/2) = 0.
Solution: x = −A, v = 0, a = +Aω2.
Final Answer: x = −A, v = 0, a = Aω2.
35. Determine graph start
Question: A graph starts from x = 0 and rises. Which form is suitable?
Show Solution
Given: starts from zero and increases.
Formula: x = A sin(ωt).
Solution: sine starts at zero with positive slope.
Final Answer: x = A sin(ωt).
36. Determine cosine start
Question: A body starts from positive extreme. Which displacement form is best?
Show Solution
Given: x = A at t = 0.
Formula: cos0 = 1.
Solution: x = A cos(ωt).
Final Answer: x = A cos(ωt).
37. a-x graph slope
Question: If a-x graph has slope −25 s−2, find ω.
Show Solution
Given: slope = −ω2 = −25.
Formula: ω2 = 25.
Solution: ω = 5 rad/s.
Final Answer: 5 rad/s.
38. v-x ellipse intercepts
Question: A v-x ellipse has x-intercept 0.2 m and v-intercept 4 m/s. Find ω.
Show Solution
Given: A = 0.2 m, Aω = 4 m/s.
Formula: ω = (Aω)/A.
Solution: ω = 4/0.2 = 20 rad/s.
Final Answer: 20 rad/s.
39. a-v ellipse intercepts
Question: In a-v ellipse, v-intercept is 3 m/s and a-intercept is 12 m/s2. Find ω.
Show Solution
Given: Aω = 3, Aω2 = 12.
Formula: ω = (Aω2)/(Aω).
Solution: ω = 12/3 = 4 rad/s.
Final Answer: 4 rad/s.
40. Combined values
Question: At a point, x = 0.08 m, v = 0.6 m/s and A = 0.10 m. Find ω.
Show Solution
Given: x = 0.08, v = 0.6, A = 0.10.
Formula: v2 = ω2(A2 − x2).
Solution: 0.36 = ω2(0.01 − 0.0064) = 0.0036ω2. Thus ω2 = 100.
Final Answer: ω = 10 rad/s.
10. 50 PYQs and Exam Questions
Answers are hidden to support active recall and exam practice.
1. Write displacement equation of SHM.
Use sine form and define symbols.
Show Answer
2. Derive velocity from x = A sin(ωt).
State final expression.
Show Answer
3. Derive acceleration from velocity.
Use v = Aω cos(ωt).
Show Answer
4. Where is velocity maximum?
State position.
Show Answer
5. Where is acceleration maximum?
State position.
Show Answer
6. If x = A sin(ωt), what is v at t = 0?
Choose from zero, Aω, −Aω.
Show Answer
7. If x = A sin(ωt), what is a at t = 0?
State value.
Show Answer
8. Which quantity leads displacement by π/2?
In sine-form SHM.
Show Answer
9. Phase difference between x and a?
Give radians.
Show Answer
10. v2 relation in SHM.
Write the formula.
Show Answer
11. x = 4 sin(2πt). Find frequency.
Use ω = 2πf.
Show Answer
12. a-x graph slope is −16. Find ω.
Use slope = −ω2.
Show Answer
13. At x = A/2, find v/vmax.
Use velocity relation.
Show Answer
14. At x = A/2, find |a|/amax.
Use acceleration relation.
Show Answer
15. What graph is v-x?
Name the shape.
Show Answer
16. What graph is a-x?
State slope.
Show Answer
17. What graph is a-v?
Write relation.
Show Answer
18. When velocity is zero, acceleration is?
Use extremes.
Show Answer
19. When acceleration is zero, velocity is?
Use mean position.
Show Answer
20. If v-x ellipse intercepts are A and Aω, what is ω?
Use intercept ratio.
Show Answer
21. Explain phase in SHM.
One or two sentences.
Show Answer
22. Why is acceleration opposite to displacement?
Use restoring nature.
Show Answer
23. What is amplitude?
For graph reading.
Show Answer
24. How to find period from x-t graph?
State graph method.
Show Answer
25. Which graph starts from maximum positive for sine displacement?
x, v or a?
Show Answer
26. Which graph starts from zero and decreases?
For x = A sin(ωt).
Show Answer
27. State SHM defining equation.
Use acceleration.
Show Answer
28. What is the significance of negative sign?
In a = −ω2x.
Show Answer
29. Assertion: v leads x by π/2. Reason: v = Aω sin(ωt + π/2).
Evaluate.
Show Answer
30. Assertion: a and x are in same phase. Reason: a = −ω2x.
Evaluate.
Show Answer
31. v is maximum at x = 0.
True or false?
Show Answer
32. a is maximum at x = 0.
True or false?
Show Answer
33. x-t and a-t graphs are opposite in phase.
True or false?
Show Answer
34. v-x graph is a straight line.
True or false?
Show Answer
35. Why does v-t graph begin at maximum?
For x = A sin(ωt).
Show Answer
36. Why does a-t graph initially go negative?
For x = A sin(ωt).
Show Answer
37. Can velocity and acceleration be zero together in SHM?
Ideal nonzero amplitude SHM.
Show Answer
38. Can displacement and acceleration be zero together?
When?
Show Answer
39. vmax = 5 and amax = 20. Find A.
Use maximum relations.
Show Answer
40. vmax = 5 and amax = 20. Find ω.
Use ratio.
Show Answer
41. At x = A/√2, find speed.
In terms of vmax.
Show Answer
42. At x = A/√2, find acceleration magnitude.
In terms of amax.
Show Answer
43. A sensor records x = 0 at t = 0 with positive slope.
Choose sine or cosine model.
Show Answer
44. A graph of a against x is a straight line through origin with negative slope.
What does it indicate?
Show Answer
45. A v-x graph has larger vertical intercept after changing system.
What may have increased?
Show Answer
46. A student says acceleration is highest where velocity is highest.
Correct the statement.
Show Answer
47. What is v when x = A?
Use v-x relation.
Show Answer
48. What is a when x = −A?
Use a = −ω2x.
Show Answer
49. What is displacement when acceleration is maximum positive?
Use sign.
Show Answer
50. What is displacement when acceleration is maximum negative?
Use sign.
Show Answer
11. Quick Revision Notes
Equation Chain
- x = A sin(ωt)
- v = Aω cos(ωt)
- a = −Aω2 sin(ωt)
- a = −ω2x
Graph Starts
- x starts from zero and rises.
- v starts from maximum positive.
- a starts from zero and falls negative.
- a-x graph has negative slope.
Exam Tips
- Use radians for phase.
- Compare phases only after converting to sine form.
- Use v2 relation when time is not given.
- Read signs carefully in acceleration questions.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting ω while differentiating.
- Calling v = Aω true at all points.
- Missing the negative sign in acceleration.
- Drawing a-t graph in phase with x-t graph.
Last Day Formulae
- vmax = Aω
- amax = Aω2
- T = 2π/ω
- x2/A2 + v2/(A2ω2) = 1
Memory Tricks
- Sine starts at zero.
- Velocity leads displacement by one quarter cycle.
- Acceleration opposes displacement.
- Ellipse means time was eliminated.
If SHM equations and graphs are not clear and you are looking for a Physics Tutor, contact Kumar Sir.
Phone: +91-9958461445 Email: kumarsirphysics@gmail.com Website: https://kumarphysicsclasses.com
