Graphing Sinusoids

Sinusoids Sinusoid graphs are used to represent objects that have simple harmonic motion.

Definitions
Simple Harmonic Motion - If an object has vibrations, then it has simple harmonic motion.
Example swing going back and forth

Frequency number of cycles in a period of time(sound pitch)

Hertz unit of measure for vibrations/second

Amplitude distance from the center line points to the maximum/minimum points (sound volume)

Definitions
Period length of one cycle Key Point Intervals where you are going to plot the points of your sinusoid graphs
Sine: starts at center, then goes to the max amplitude, back to center, and down to min amplitude
Ex (one cycle)

Cosine: starts at max amplitude, down to center, down to min amplitude, back to center, and back to max amplitude
Ex (one cycle)

Equation for Simple Harmonic Motion

y a sin t

A amplitude - horizontal stretch/shrink T - time

Other Equations Needed

Period - 2

Key Point Intervals Frequency -

period 4

Graphing
To demonstrate how to graph a sinusoid, we are going to use the example equation:

y 8 cos( / 2)t

Graphing: Step One

Find Period:
2 1 2

2 2 = =4 1
4 1

Find Key Point Intervals: 4 Find Amp: 8

Graphing: Step 2
See the video on the website