Spring–Mass Oscillator

Change the spring constant and mass. Observe how the oscillation frequency and period respond.

Angular frequency, ω10.00 rad/s
Frequency, f1.59 Hz
Period, T0.63 s
Displacement, x+0.15 m

Controls

50 N/m
Larger k means a stiffer spring and stronger restoring force.
0.50 kg
Larger mass has greater inertia and oscillates more slowly.
0.20 m
In ideal SHM, amplitude changes the size of the motion, not its period.
Observe: The natural angular frequency depends on the ratio k/m.
ω = √(k/m)    |    T = 2π√(m/k)

Oscillator

equilibrium 0.50 kg x

Displacement–time graph

+A 0 −A time (s) T = 0.63 s
current state displacement x from equilibrium
Predict before changing a control

Double the mass while keeping k fixed. Will the period double?