Harmonic Motion: Springs, Oscillations, and Vibrations

Back and Forth – Harmonic motion is a repeating movement, like a swing going to and fro.
Spring Power – Stretch a spring and let go—it bounces back and forth in harmonic motion.
Oscillations Defined – Oscillations are regular cycles of motion around a central position.
Hooke’s Law – A spring’s force grows with how far it’s stretched, pulling it back toward balance.
Everyday Examples – Guitar strings, pendulums, and playground swings all move with harmonic motion.
Vibrations Explained – Tiny rapid oscillations in objects create sounds we hear every day.
Period and Frequency – The period is one cycle’s time, while frequency counts how many cycles happen per second.
Damping Effect – Friction and air resistance gradually reduce oscillations, making motion fade.
Resonance Magic – At the right frequency, oscillations grow stronger—like a swing pushed in rhythm.
From Toys to Tech – Harmonic motion powers clocks, instruments, and even earthquake-resistant engineering.