Waves
SHM Total Energy
Total mechanical energy in SHM is constant.
Variables
EJ
Total energy
Constant total energy
In SI units: kg·m²/s²
kN/m
Spring constant
Spring stiffness
In SI units: kg/s²
Allowed values: greater than 0
Am
Amplitude
Maximum displacement
Allowed values: 0 or more
mkg
Mass
Oscillating mass
Allowed values: 0 or more
ωrad/s
Angular frequency
ω = √(k/m)
Allowed values: greater than 0
Derivation
E = KE + PE = ½mv² + ½kx² = ½kA² (at max displacement).
Your notes
0/5000
Check value
Round inputs run through this page's calculator. Use it to test your own working or a rearranged form. It is a test case, not a real-world example.
- k = 2 N/m (Spring constant)
- A = 3 m (Amplitude)
Result: E = 9 J
Other waves formulas with the same quantities
- SHM Displacement (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Amplitude, Angular frequency
- SHM Velocity (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Amplitude, Angular frequency
- SHM Maximum Velocity (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Amplitude, Angular frequency
- Spring Oscillation Period (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Mass, Spring constant
- SHM Acceleration (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Angular frequency
- Physical Pendulum Period (Simple Harmonic Motion) shares Mass
Where this formula is listed
- Waves formulas, under Simple Harmonic Motion, alongside Pendulum Period, Torsional Oscillation Period, Damped Oscillation, Quality Factor (Q Factor) and Resonance Amplitude.
- In the waves list it comes after Pendulum Period and before Physical Pendulum Period.
- Waves formula sheet, one of 37 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the SHM Total Energy formula?
SHM Total Energy is written E = (1/2)kA² = (1/2)mω²A². Total mechanical energy in SHM is constant. It belongs to Waves, under Simple Harmonic Motion.
What are the units in E = (1/2)kA² = (1/2)mω²A²?
In SI units, E is total energy, measured in kg·m²/s²; k is spring constant, measured in kg/s²; A is amplitude, measured in m; m is mass, measured in kg; ω is angular frequency, measured in rad/s.
How is the SHM Total Energy formula derived?
E = KE + PE = ½mv² + ½kx² = ½kA² (at max displacement). The result is E = (1/2)kA² = (1/2)mω²A².
