Physlet Illustration: Velocity and Acceleration in Harmonic Motion

 

 
A mass/spring system oscillates back and forth. Study the graphs of the block's displacement from equilibrium,  velocity and acceleration as functions of time. How are they related?

Hints

  1. How do the periods (or frequencies) of oscillation of these three quantities compare?
  2. At what point in the motion is each of these quantities a maximum? A minimum? Zero?
  3. Do these results agree with the mathematical expressions for the displacement, velocity, and acceleration as given in your text?

Reference

See Walker, Section 13-3

Illustration written by Steve Mellema