The motion of a particle executing simple harmonic motion is described by the displacement function. x(t)=Acos(ωt+ϕ) If the initial (t = 0) position of the particle is 1 cm and its initial velocity is ωcms−1, what are its amplitude andinitial phase angle? The angular frequency of the particle is πs−1. If instead of the cosine function, we choose the sine function to describe the simple harmonic motion : x=Bsin(ωt+α), what are the amplitude and initial phase of the particle withthe above initial conditions.
Solution:
Here, at t=0,x=1 cm and v=ωcms−1;ω=πs−1Given : x=Acos(ωt+ϕ) ... (i)Since at t=0,x=1, we get1=Acos(π×0+ϕ)=AcosϕThe instantaneous particle velocity is given byv=dtdx=dtd[Acos(ωt+ϕ)] or v=−Aωsin(ωt+ϕ)Since at t=0,v=ωcms−1, we getω=−Aωsin(π×0+ϕ)or Asinϕ=−1 ...(ii)Squaring and adding the equations (i) and (ii), we getA2cos2ϕ+A2sin2ϕ=12+(−1)2A2(cos2ϕ+sin2ϕ)=2 or A2(1)=2or A=2cmDividing the equation (ii) by (i), we getAcosϕAsinϕ=1−1 or tan ϕ =−1 or ϕ=47πWhen sine function is used to describe the simple harmonic motion.Here, x=Bsin(ωt+α)Since at t=0,x=1; we get1=Bsin(π×0+α)or Bsinα=1 ...(iii)The instantaneous particle velocity is given byv=dtdx=dtd[Bsin(ωt+α)]v=Bωcos(ωt+α)Since at t=0,v=ωcms−1, we getω=Bωcos(π×0+α)or Bcosα=1 ...(iv)Squaring and adding the equations (iii) and (iv), we getB2sin2α+B2cos2α=12+12or B2(sin2α+cos2α)=2or B2(1)=2or B=2cmDividing the equation (iii) by (iv), we getBcosαBsinα=11 or tanα=1 or α=4π