This model is of a ball oscillating vertically on the end of a spring, without friction. A graph of the y-acceleration against y-displacement is plotted, to see that the acceleration of the spring is proportional to its displacement from its rest position, and thus exhibits simple harmonic motion.

This item teaches:

• about the mass-spring system
• the equation for the conditions for simple harmonic motion:a = -(2Πf)²x
• about graphical representations of simple harmonic motion
• the relationship between acceleration and displacement in simple harmonic motion
• about the features of simple harmonic motion