A simple harmonic oscillator is a type of motion where an object moves back and forth between two points, with its displacement being directly proportional to the restoring force acting on it.
The equation for a simple harmonic oscillator is F = -kx, where F is the restoring force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement from the equilibrium point.
The period of a simple harmonic oscillator is the time it takes for one complete cycle of motion, and it is given by T = 2π√(m/k), where m is the mass of the object and k is the spring constant.
The amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator is the maximum displacement of the object from its equilibrium point. It does not affect the period or frequency of the oscillator, but it does affect the maximum potential and kinetic energy of the system.
Some common examples of simple harmonic oscillators include a swing, a pendulum, a mass-spring system, and a guitar string. These systems exhibit simple harmonic motion when acted upon by a restoring force, such as gravity or tension.