What is harmonic motion?

Harmonic motion, also known as simple harmonic motion, is a type of periodic motion in which an object oscillates back and forth around an equilibrium position under the influence of a restoring force that is directly proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position. The restoring force causes the object to accelerate towards the equilibrium position, and as it passes through the equilibrium position, it continues to move due to its inertia, ultimately reaching a maximum displacement in the opposite direction before returning to the equilibrium position. This type of motion can be described mathematically using sinusoidal functions, such as sine and cosine functions. Harmonic motion is observed in many physical systems, such as pendulums, springs, and masses attached to springs, and is also an important concept in fields such as physics, engineering, and mathematics.