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Simple harmonic motion

Simple harmonic motion is the motion of a particle about a fixed point such that its acceleration is proportional to its displacement from the fixed point. The acceleration is always directed toward the fixed point.

A mass, suspended vertically from a spring, swinging up and down vertically, will demonstrate simple harmonic motion.

An example of an equation to describe this can be found in Differential equations/Examples.

Simple harmonic motion is one form of a harmonic oscillator.