# Homework Help: Simple harmonic motion mass on a spring

1. Dec 11, 2004

### saltrock

A mass is on a spring is pulled down and released.Show thatit performs simple harmonic motion.

as the mass is pulled down and released restoring force pulls it upwards but as it reaches on the top extreme the gravity pulls it down n continous to oscillate.but how does it prove that motion is SHM??we cannot see acceleration being proportional to the displacement

2. Dec 11, 2004

### Integral

Staff Emeritus
What level of mathematics can you bring to bear?

We know that the total force acting on the mass is

F = -mg-kx

According to newton this is

ma = -mg-kx

so a = -g - (k/m) x

Does not this show that acceleration is directly proportional to displacement?

3. Dec 11, 2004

### Astronuc

Staff Emeritus
Write the 'equation of motion' of a mass attached to a spring and displaced from equilibrium.

The weight of force of gravity is a constant force which simply displaces the spring from is equilibrium position when there is no mass.

Remember something like - $$m\ddot{x}\,+\,k\,x\,=0$$