Simple harmonic motion interpretation problem

  • #1
Celso
33
1
I'm in trouble trying to understand the expression ##t= \frac{1}{\omega} cos^{-1}(x/A)## that comes from ##x = Acos(\omega t)##, in which ##A## is the amplitude, ##t## is time and ##x## is displacement.
When ##x = 0##, ##t = \frac{\pi}{2\omega} ##, shouldn't it be 0 since there was no movement?
 

Answers and Replies

  • #3
Celso
33
1
##\cos^{-1}## has multiple roots.
It has a root in ##x/A = 1##, but in that case the distance would be equal to the amplitude, not zero
 
  • #4
Ibix
Science Advisor
Insights Author
2022 Award
10,341
11,102
You seem to be using a form of the SHM equation that treats ##t=0## as a time when ##x## is a maximum. If you want ##x=0## at ##t=0## you need to use ##\sin##, not ##\cos##.
 
  • #5
33,860
11,562
Yes, @Ibix is right. In this equation x is the displacement from equilibrium, not the displacement from t=0. It starts at the peak.
 
  • #6
Celso
33
1
ah that's my mistake, thank you guys
 

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