SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION 1.0 Objective To study simple harmonic motion by observing the motion of a simple pendulum. 2.0 Simple harmonic motion Oscillatory motion is extremely common in nature. Examples include waves (water, sound, earthquake, etc.) and vibrations produced by musical instruments. If the oscillation is characterized by a constant frequency and amplitude (if the motion reproduces itself in a fixed time period T), then the motion is said to be "harmonic." If the oscillation can be described as a sinusoidal function of time and position, the motion is said to be "simple harmonic." Simple harmonic motion (SHM) occurs when for every applied force or torque, there is a restoring force or torque which is proportional to the displacement of the system from its equilibrium position. 2.0.1 Name two real-world examples of harmonic motion. (Hint: Southern California is known for what sort of natural disasters?)