An object in simple harmonic motion has position function s(t), in inches, from an equilibrium point, as follows, where t is time in seconds.​
𝒮(t) = 5 cos 2t
What is the amplitude of this motion?

Key Concepts

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Simple Harmonic Motion is a type of periodic motion where an object oscillates around an equilibrium position. The motion is characterized by a restoring force proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium, leading to sinusoidal functions in its position, velocity, and acceleration. In SHM, the position function can typically be expressed in terms of sine or cosine functions.

Amplitude

Amplitude is a key characteristic of oscillatory motion, representing the maximum displacement of an object from its equilibrium position. In the context of the position function s(t) = A cos(ωt), the amplitude A indicates how far the object moves from the center point during its motion. For the given function, the amplitude is the coefficient of the cosine term.

Cosine Function

The cosine function is a fundamental trigonometric function that describes the relationship between the angle and the adjacent side of a right triangle. In the context of SHM, the cosine function is used to model the position of an oscillating object over time. The general form s(t) = A cos(ωt) shows how the position varies with time, where A is the amplitude and ω is the angular frequency.