How Do You Derive Equations for Position and Velocity in Simple Harmonic Motion?

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The discussion focuses on deriving equations for position and velocity in simple harmonic motion (SHM). The position equation is derived from the general SHM equation by substituting initial conditions for position and velocity, leading to x(t) = xi cos(omega * t) + (vi / omega) * sin(omega * t). The velocity equation is obtained by differentiating the position equation, resulting in v(t) = -xi omega sin(omega * t) + vi cos(omega * t). Additionally, the relationship between velocity, acceleration, and amplitude is explored, confirming that v^2 - ax = vi^2 - aixi = (omega)^2A^2. Understanding these derivations is crucial for grasping the dynamics of SHM.
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I am confused by the following problem. Any help / hints would be greatly appreciated! I understand that the velocity equation is the derivative of the position function... i just don't understand how to derive these first / last equations. :bugeye: THANKS!

The initial position and initial velocity of an object moving in simple harmonic motion are xi, vi, and ai; the angular frequency of oscillation is (omega).

a) Show that the position and velocity of the object for all time can be written as:

x(t) = xi cos(omega * t) + (vi / (omega) )*sin (omega * t)

v(t) = - xi (omega)sin(omega * t) + vi*cos(omega * t)

b) If the amplitude of the motion is A, show that

v^2 - ax = vi^2 - aixi = (omega)^2A^2
 
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Here's a hint. Consider the substitution of initial conditions in the solutions for displacement and velocity.
 



a) To derive the position equation, we start with the general equation for simple harmonic motion: x(t) = A*cos(omega * t + phi), where A is the amplitude and phi is the phase constant. We can rewrite this equation as x(t) = A*cos(omega * t)*cos(phi) - A*sin(omega * t)*sin(phi). Since we know that at t=0, the position is xi, we can substitute this value in for x(t) and solve for cos(phi):

x(0) = A*cos(0)*cos(phi) - A*sin(0)*sin(phi) = xi

cos(phi) = xi/A

Similarly, we can find the value of sin(phi) by using the initial velocity, vi, at t=0:

v(0) = -A*omega*sin(0)*cos(phi) + A*omega*cos(0)*sin(phi) = vi

sin(phi) = vi/(A*omega)

Substituting these values back into the general equation, we get:

x(t) = A*cos(omega * t)*xi/A - A*sin(omega * t)*vi/(A*omega)
x(t) = xi*cos(omega * t) - (vi/omega)*sin(omega * t)

For the velocity equation, we can use the fact that the derivative of cos(omega * t) is -omega*sin(omega * t) and the derivative of sin(omega * t) is omega*cos(omega * t). So we have:

v(t) = -xi*omega*sin(omega * t) - (vi/omega)*omega*cos(omega * t)
v(t) = -xi*omega*sin(omega * t) + vi*cos(omega * t)

b) We can use the position equation to find the acceleration (since a = -omega^2*x) and substitute it into the equation for kinetic energy (KE = 1/2*m*v^2). We get:

KE = 1/2*m*(-xi*omega^2*sin(omega * t) + 2*vi*omega*cos(omega * t) - vi^2)
KE = 1/2*m*(xi*omega^2*sin(omega * t) + vi^2 - vi^2)
KE = 1/2*m*
 
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