SHM: Frequency & Period Unaffected by Amplitude

[gkangelexa]

The frequency and the period of Simple harmonic motion don't depend on the amplitude. Meaning that changing the amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator doesn't affect its frequency..


amplitude is the max displacement. Doesn't it make sense that if the max displacement is larger, then time will increase and frequency will decrease??

 

[Doc Al]

amplitude is the max displacement. Doesn't it make sense that if the max displacement is larger, then time will increase and frequency will decrease??

If the speed remained fixed, then that reasoning would work. But the speed doesn't remain fixed. With a greater amplitude, the object ends up moving faster along the path. Interestingly, that increased speed is exactly enough to keep the period and frequency constant.

 

[gkangelexa]

cool! thanks! do we know why that happens? or is that a philosophical question?