Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

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Summary

Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for Class 11 IIT JEE and NEET cover periodic and oscillatory motion, the definition and the equation of simple harmonic motion (SHM), displacement, velocity and acceleration with their phase relations, the link with uniform circular motion, energy in SHM, the spring–mass system with springs in series and parallel, the simple pendulum and its variations, other oscillators (physical, torsional, a floating body and liquid in a U-tube), the superposition of two SHMs, and damped and forced oscillations with resonance.

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

Oscillations is Chapter 13 of the current NCERT Class 11 Physics book (Chapter 14 in older books), and it is followed by Waves. In the JEE Main 2026 syllabus, it is part of the unit Oscillations and Waves. These Simple Harmonic Motion Notes follow the NCERT chapter and add the IIT JEE and NEET problem types.

Simple Harmonic Motion Notes: Chapter Overview and Syllabus

Topic

NCERT and CBSE (Class 11)

IIT JEE and NEET

Periodic motion, period, frequency, displacement as a function of time

Yes

Yes

SHM and its equation, phase

Yes

Yes

Velocity and acceleration in SHM, SHM and uniform circular motion

Yes

Yes

Energy in SHM (kinetic and potential)

Yes

Yes

Oscillations of a loaded spring, restoring force and force constant

Yes

Yes (series and parallel combinations)

Simple pendulum, derivation of its time period

Yes

Yes (variations in a lift, a liquid and a vehicle)

Physical pendulum, torsional pendulum, floating body, U-tube

Not in the board syllabus

Common in IIT JEE problems

Free, damped and forced oscillations, resonance

Check the latest CBSE syllabus

Qualitative questions

Check the latest CBSE, NTA (JEE Main), JEE Advanced and NMC (NEET) syllabi for the exact lists. The number of questions changes every year, so use previous years’ papers to see the trend.

Tip from the eSaral Physics team: To prove or to use SHM, write the acceleration as $a = -\omega^{2}x$. Whatever the system is (a spring, a pendulum, a floating body), the coefficient of $-x$ is $\omega^{2}$, and the time period is $T = 2\pi/\omega$ at once.

Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE and NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

simple harmonic motion notes

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET
Oscillations Class 11: Simple Harmonic Motion Notes for IIT JEE & NEET

India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now

Periodic and Oscillatory Motion in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

A motion that repeats itself after a fixed interval is periodic. A periodic motion in which a body moves back and forth about a mean position is oscillatory. All oscillatory motion is periodic, but not all periodic motion is oscillatory (for example, the uniform circular motion of a particle).

Term

Meaning

Relation

Time period $T$

Time for one complete oscillation

–

Frequency $f$

Number of oscillations per second (Hz)

$f = \dfrac{1}{T}$

Angular frequency $\omega$

Rate of change of the phase (rad/s)

$\omega = 2\pi f = \dfrac{2\pi}{T}$

Amplitude $A$

Maximum displacement from the mean position

–

Simple Harmonic Motion: Definition and Equation in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

A particle executes simple harmonic motion if the restoring force on it is proportional to its displacement from the mean position and is always directed towards it:

$$F = -kx \quad \Rightarrow \quad a = -\omega^{2}x, \qquad \frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} + \omega^{2}x = 0, \qquad \omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$$

The solution of this equation is:

$$x(t) = A\sin(\omega t + \phi) \quad \text{or} \quad x(t) = A\cos(\omega t + \phi)$$

Here $(\omega t + \phi)$ is the phase, and $\phi$ is the initial phase (the phase constant). The time period is $T = \dfrac{2\pi}{\omega}$, and it does not depend on the amplitude (isochronous oscillation).

Periodic motion vs SHM: all SHM is periodic, but not all periodic motion is SHM. A particle that bounces between two walls with a constant speed is periodic, but it has no restoring force that is proportional to the displacement, so it is not SHM.

Velocity and Acceleration in SHM in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

For $x = A\sin(\omega t + \phi)$:

Quantity

Expression

Maximum value, and where

Displacement

$x = A\sin(\omega t + \phi)$

$A$, at the extreme positions

Velocity

$v = A\omega\cos(\omega t + \phi) = \pm\omega\sqrt{A^{2} - x^{2}}$

$A\omega$, at the mean position ($x = 0$)

Acceleration

$a = -\omega^{2}x$

$\omega^{2}A$, at the extreme positions

  • At the mean position, $v$ is maximum and $a = 0$. At an extreme position, $v = 0$ and $\lvert a\rvert$ is maximum.
  • The velocity leads the displacement by $\dfrac{\pi}{2}$, and the acceleration is in opposite phase to the displacement (a phase difference of $\pi$).
  • The graphs of $x$, $v$ and $a$ against the time are all sine or cosine curves with the same period.

SHM and uniform circular motion: the projection of a particle that moves in a circle of radius $A$ with the angular speed $\omega$, on a diameter, executes SHM of amplitude $A$ and angular frequency $\omega$. This reference circle is a useful way to find the time taken between two positions: find the angle that the particle covers on the circle, and divide by $\omega$. For example, the time from $x = 0$ to $x = A/2$ is $\dfrac{\pi/6}{\omega} = \dfrac{T}{12}$.

Energy in SHM in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

Energy

Expression

Kinetic energy

$K = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^{2} = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}(A^{2} - x^{2})$

Potential energy

$U = \tfrac{1}{2}kx^{2} = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}x^{2}$

Total energy

$E = K + U = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2} = \tfrac{1}{2}kA^{2}$ (constant)

  • At the mean position, the energy is all kinetic, and at the extreme positions, it is all potential.
  • $K = U$ at $x = \pm\dfrac{A}{\sqrt{2}}$.
  • The time averages are $\langle K\rangle = \langle U\rangle = \dfrac{E}{2}$. The kinetic and the potential energies oscillate with the frequency $2f$, which is twice the frequency of the SHM.

Spring–Mass System in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

$$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}, \qquad f = \frac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$$

  • A vertical spring has the same time period, because gravity only shifts the mean position. If the extension at equilibrium is $x_0$ ($mg = kx_0$), then $T = 2\pi\sqrt{x_0/g}$.
  • Springs in parallel (or a mass between two springs): $k_{eq} = k_1 + k_2$. Springs in series: $\dfrac{1}{k_{eq}} = \dfrac{1}{k_1} + \dfrac{1}{k_2}$.
  • The force constant is inversely proportional to the length of the spring. A spring cut into $n$ equal parts has the force constant $nk$ for each part.
  • The time period of a spring does not change on the Moon or in a lift in free fall (the mean position changes, but $T$ does not).

Simple Pendulum in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

For small angles of oscillation (about $\theta < 15^\circ$, so that $\sin\theta \approx \theta$), the restoring torque gives $a = -\dfrac{g}{L}x$ along the arc, so:

$$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$$

The time period depends on $L$ and $g$, and not on the mass of the bob or on the amplitude (for small angles). A seconds pendulum has $T = 2$ s, which gives $L \approx 1$ m on the Earth.

Situation

Effective $g$ and the time period

Lift accelerating upward with $a$

$g_{eff} = g + a$, so $T$ decreases

Lift accelerating downward with $a$

$g_{eff} = g - a$, so $T$ increases

Lift in free fall

$g_{eff} = 0$, so $T \to \infty$ (no oscillation)

Vehicle accelerating horizontally with $a$

$g_{eff} = \sqrt{g^{2} + a^{2}}$

Bob (density $\rho$) in a liquid (density $\rho_l$)

$g_{eff} = g\left(1 - \dfrac{\rho_l}{\rho}\right)$

A very long pendulum of the length $L$ ($R$ = radius of the Earth)

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{g\left(\frac{1}{L} + \frac{1}{R}\right)}}$, so $T \to 2\pi\sqrt{R/g} \approx 84$ minutes for $L \to \infty$

If the length of the pendulum increases with the temperature, the clock loses time (the time period increases).

Other Oscillators for IIT JEE in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

System

Time period

Physical (compound) pendulum, with the moment of inertia $I$ about the pivot and the distance $d$ from the pivot to the centre of mass

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{I}{mgd}}$

Torsional pendulum, with the torsional constant $C$

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{I}{C}}$

A cylinder of mass $m$ and cross-section $A$ floating in a liquid of density $\rho_l$

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{m}{A\rho_lg}}$

Liquid in a U-tube (the total length of the liquid column $L$)

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{L}{2g}}$

Superposition of two SHMs of the same angular frequency along the same line, with the amplitudes $A_1$ and $A_2$ and the phase difference $\phi$, gives another SHM of the same frequency:

$$A = \sqrt{A_1^{2} + A_2^{2} + 2A_1A_2\cos\phi}$$

Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations and Resonance in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

  • Free oscillations go on with the natural frequency $\omega_0 = \sqrt{k/m}$ and a constant amplitude (an ideal case).
  • Damped oscillations: a resistive force (for example $-bv$) takes energy from the system, so the amplitude decreases. For light damping:

$$x(t) = A_0e^{-bt/2m}\cos(\omega' t + \phi), \qquad \omega' = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m} - \frac{b^{2}}{4m^{2}}}$$

The energy falls as $E \propto e^{-bt/m}$. With critical or heavy damping, the system returns to equilibrium without oscillating (critical damping is the fastest return).

  • Forced oscillations: a periodic external force of the angular frequency $\omega_d$ drives the system. After a short time, the system oscillates with $\omega_d$, and resonance occurs when $\omega_d \approx \omega_0$: the amplitude becomes maximum. Examples are a swing that is pushed at the right moments, the tuning of a radio and the failure of a bridge under marching soldiers.

Key Formulas in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

Concept

Formula

SHM equation

$a = -\omega^{2}x$, $x = A\sin(\omega t + \phi)$

Velocity

$v = \omega\sqrt{A^{2} - x^{2}}$, $v_{max} = A\omega$

Maximum acceleration

$a_{max} = \omega^{2}A$

Total energy

$E = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2}$

Spring–mass

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{m/k}$

Springs

Parallel: $k_1 + k_2$. Series: $\frac{1}{k} = \frac{1}{k_1} + \frac{1}{k_2}$

Simple pendulum

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g}$

Physical pendulum

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{I/mgd}$

Superposition of two SHMs

$A = \sqrt{A_1^2 + A_2^2 + 2A_1A_2\cos\phi}$

IIT JEE and NEET Problem Tips in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

  • Check for SHM: find the net force (or torque) as a function of the displacement. If it is $-(\text{constant})\times x$, it is SHM, and the constant gives $\omega^{2}$.
  • Use the reference circle for the time between two positions, and for the phase.
  • Use the energy method when the force is not easy to find: $E = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2}$, and $v = \omega\sqrt{A^{2} - x^{2}}$ for the speed at any displacement.
  • Spring problems: cut, series and parallel changes only $k$, and the mass is the same. Do not use the length of the spring in $T$ except through $k \propto 1/\text{length}$.
  • Pendulum problems: find $g_{eff}$ first, because a lift, a vehicle and a liquid only change $g_{eff}$.

Solved Examples from Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

Example 1 (reading the equation): A particle moves as $x = 0.05\sin\left(10\pi t + \dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)$ (SI units). Find the amplitude, the frequency, the time period and the initial phase.

$A = 0.05$ m. $\omega = 10\pi$ rad/s, so $f = \dfrac{\omega}{2\pi} = 5$ Hz and $T = 0.2$ s. The initial phase is $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$.

Example 2 (maximum velocity and acceleration): A particle executes SHM with the amplitude 10 cm and the time period 2 s. Find $v_{max}$ and $a_{max}$.

$\omega = \dfrac{2\pi}{T} = \pi$ rad/s. $v_{max} = A\omega = 0.1\pi \approx 0.314$ m/s. $a_{max} = \omega^{2}A = 0.1\pi^{2} \approx 0.987$ m/s$^{2}$.

Example 3 (speed at a displacement): The amplitude is 5 cm and $\omega = 4$ rad/s. Find the speed at $x = 3$ cm.

$v = \omega\sqrt{A^{2} - x^{2}} = 4\sqrt{25 - 9} = 16$ cm/s.

Example 4 (spring): A mass of 0.5 kg is attached to a spring of the force constant 200 N/m. Find the time period and the frequency.

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{0.5}{200}} = 2\pi \times 0.05 \approx 0.314$ s, and $f \approx 3.18$ Hz.

Example 5 (energy): A particle of mass 0.1 kg has $\omega = 10$ rad/s and $A = 0.1$ m. Find its total energy.

$E = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2} = \tfrac{1}{2}\times 0.1\times 100\times 0.01 = 0.05$ J.

Example 6 (where $K = U$): For the particle of Example 5, at what displacement are the kinetic and the potential energies equal?

$x = \dfrac{A}{\sqrt{2}} = \dfrac{0.1}{1.414} \approx 0.0707$ m, which is 7.07 cm.

Example 7 (springs in series and parallel): Two springs, each of $k = 100$ N/m, are connected to a 1 kg mass in series and in parallel. Find the time periods.

Series: $k_{eq} = 50$ N/m, so $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{50}} \approx 0.89$ s. Parallel: $k_{eq} = 200$ N/m, so $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{200}} \approx 0.44$ s. The ratio of the two time periods is $\sqrt{4} = 2$.

Example 8 (a pendulum in a lift): A simple pendulum of length 1 m is in a lift that accelerates upward at 2 m/s$^{2}$ ($g = 9.8$ m/s$^{2}$). Find its time period.

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{9.8 + 2}} \approx 1.83$ s (compared with $2.01$ s at rest).

Example 9 (a seconds pendulum): Find the length of a seconds pendulum ($g = 9.8$ m/s$^{2}$).

$L = \dfrac{gT^{2}}{4\pi^{2}} = \dfrac{9.8\times 4}{39.48} \approx 0.99$ m.

Example 10 (a floating cylinder): A cylinder of mass 0.5 kg and cross-section 20 cm$^{2}$ floats upright in water. It is pushed down slightly and released. Find the time period ($\rho_l = 1000$ kg/m$^3$).

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{m}{A\rho_lg}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{0.5}{20\times10^{-4}\times1000\times9.8}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{0.5}{19.6}} \approx 1.0$ s.

Example 11 (liquid in a U-tube): A liquid column of the total length 0.4 m oscillates in a U-tube. Find the time period.

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{L}{2g}} = 2\pi\sqrt{\dfrac{0.4}{19.6}} \approx 0.90$ s.

Example 12 (superposition): Two SHMs of the same frequency along the same line have the amplitudes 3 cm and 4 cm and a phase difference of $90^\circ$. Find the resultant amplitude.

$A = \sqrt{9 + 16 + 2(3)(4)\cos 90^\circ} = 5$ cm.

Common Mistakes in Simple Harmonic Motion Notes Problems

Mistake

Correct approach

Saying that any periodic motion is SHM

SHM needs a restoring force proportional to the displacement

Taking the time period of a spring as dependent on the amplitude

It depends only on $m$ and $k$

Using the pendulum formula for a large angle

$T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g}$ holds only for small angles

Putting the mass of the bob in the pendulum formula

The time period does not depend on the mass

Forgetting that $K$ and $U$ oscillate at the frequency $2f$

The energy has a period of $T/2$

Using the velocity formula $v = A\omega\cos(\omega t)$ at a given displacement

Use $v = \omega\sqrt{A^{2} - x^{2}}$

Adding $k$ for springs in series

In series, $\dfrac{1}{k_{eq}} = \sum\dfrac{1}{k_i}$, and in parallel, $k_{eq} = \sum k_i$

Using $g$ in a lift problem

Use $g_{eff} = g \pm a$

How to Study Simple Harmonic Motion Notes

  1. Read the NCERT chapter first, and download the textbook from eSaral’s NCERT books for Class 11 page.
  2. Learn the SHM equation and the table of $x$, $v$ and $a$, then the energy formulas, then the spring and the pendulum, and last the other oscillators and damping.
  3. Practise one problem each on the equation of SHM, the time between two positions, energy, spring combinations, a pendulum in a lift and a floating body.
  4. Go to the next chapter with eSaral’s Waves Physics Class 11 notes, and revise with eSaral’s Class 11 Physics notes and the free Physics revision series on YouTube.
  5. Test yourself with eSaral’s JEE Main chapter-wise PYQs and NEET chapter-wise PYQs.

Click Here for Complete Physics Revision Series by Saransh Gupta Sir (AIR-41) About Saransh Gupta Sir: Computer Science Graduate from IIT Bombay. Cracked IIT-JEE with AIR-41 and AIEEE (JM) with AIR-71 in 2006. He is the author of the JEE Mentorship Book “StrateJEE”. He taught Physics for 5 years at Allen and was loved immensely by all the students. Many of his students bagged success with flying colours in JEE & NEET Exams.   eSaral brings you detailed Class 11th Physics study material.  eSaral provides a series of detailed chapter-wise notes for all the Subjects of class 11th and 12th.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is simple harmonic motion in Class 11 Physics?

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a periodic oscillation in which the restoring force on a particle is proportional to its displacement from the mean position and is directed towards it, $F = -kx$. It gives $a = -\omega^{2}x$ and $x = A\sin(\omega t + \phi)$. eSaral’s Simple Harmonic Motion Notes cover the equation, the energy and the standard systems.

What is the difference between periodic motion and SHM?

In Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, the first point is that all SHM is periodic, but not all periodic motion is SHM. SHM needs a restoring force that is proportional to the displacement ($F \propto -x$). Uniform circular motion is periodic, but it is not SHM, although its projection on a diameter is SHM. A particle that bounces between two walls with a constant speed is periodic, but not SHM.

What is the formula for the time period in SHM?

For a spring–mass system, $T = 2\pi\sqrt{m/k}$, and for a simple pendulum, $T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g}$ (small angles). In general, $T = 2\pi/\omega$, where $\omega^{2}$ is the coefficient of $-x$ in the acceleration. In Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, this is the quickest way to find the time period of an unfamiliar system.

How is the total energy in SHM calculated?

In Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, the total mechanical energy is $E = \tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2} = \tfrac{1}{2}kA^{2}$, and it is constant. At the displacement $x$, the kinetic energy is $\tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}(A^{2} - x^{2})$, and the potential energy is $\tfrac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}x^{2}$. The two are equal at $x = \pm A/\sqrt{2}$.

What are damped oscillations?

Damped oscillations occur when a resistive force (such as air resistance) acts on the oscillating system, so the amplitude decreases with the time, and the mechanical energy is converted into heat. Light damping still gives oscillations, with a slightly lower frequency. Critical and heavy damping bring the system back to equilibrium without oscillating. In Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, the amplitude falls as $e^{-bt/2m}$.

What is resonance in oscillations?

In Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, resonance occurs when the frequency of an external periodic force is equal to the natural frequency of the system, and the amplitude of the forced oscillation becomes maximum. Examples are a swing that is pushed at the right moments and the tuning of a radio.

How do you find the time period of a pendulum in a lift?

Replace $g$ by the effective acceleration: $g_{eff} = g + a$ when the lift accelerates upward, and $g - a$ when it accelerates downward. Then $T = 2\pi\sqrt{L/g_{eff}}$. In free fall, $g_{eff} = 0$, and the pendulum does not oscillate. These Simple Harmonic Motion Notes give the same method for a liquid and a vehicle.

How many questions come from Oscillations in IIT JEE and NEET?

Oscillations is part of the Oscillations and Waves unit of the JEE Main syllabus and of the NEET syllabus. The number of questions changes every year, so check previous years’ papers. The common topics are the velocity–displacement relation, energy at a given position, spring combinations and the time period of a pendulum in different conditions.

Which chapter number is Oscillations in Class 11 Physics?

In the current NCERT Class 11 Physics book, Oscillations is Chapter 13 (Chapter 14 in older books), and Waves is Chapter 14. These Simple Harmonic Motion Notes follow the NCERT chapter and add the IIT JEE and NEET topics.

Where can I find more Class 11 Physics notes on eSaral?

eSaral has chapter-wise Class 11 Physics notes, NCERT books, a free Physics revision series on YouTube, notes on Waves, JEE Main and NEET chapter-wise PYQs and these Simple Harmonic Motion Notes, all linked on this page.

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