Harmonic Motion

force pushing or pulling an object toward equilibrium is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium

The previous force is called a restoring force

What do you think might be an example of this?

F=kx

springs force is proportional to its distance

restoring force is within the spring itself

Displacement from equilibrium

Easily recognizable as a sine or cosine wave

varies inversely with spring constant- the higher the spring constant the shorter the time

varies directly with mass- a higher mass means a longer period

 $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$  

Notice that the equation does not factor in amplitude for the period, interestingly enough a greater amplitude, becuase it results in a greater restoring force, does not increase the time it takes to complete a cycle