What is the role of displacement in simple harmonic motion?

The displacement in simple harmonic motion determines the amplitude and phase of the oscillation.

Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium and acts in the opposite direction to the displacement. The displacement is the distance from the equilibrium position and determines the amplitude of the oscillation. The amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium and is directly proportional to the energy of the system.

The displacement also determines the phase of the oscillation, which is the position of the oscillation within one cycle. The phase is measured in radians and is related to the time period of the oscillation. The displacement at any given time can be calculated using the equation x = A cos(ωt + φ), where A is the amplitude, ω is the angular frequency, t is the time, and φ is the phase angle.

In summary, the displacement in simple harmonic motion plays a crucial role in determining the amplitude and phase of the oscillation. Understanding the relationship between displacement, amplitude, and phase is essential for analysing and predicting the behaviour of simple harmonic systems.