This paper presents a tool developed with interactive Excel spreadsheets for simulating the composition of perpendicular harmonic oscillations with same frequencies. The period, amplitudes and phase difference of the two oscillations are used as input data. Two types of results are obtained, both analytically and graphically expressed. The first category includes the graph of the trajectory for the resultant oscillation, controlled by input data, together with displaying the type of the trajectory. The second category includes position and velocity of the mobile as parameters characterizing the movement at some point of time. Mobile position is expressed in both Cartesian and polar coordinates. The velocity of the mobile is expressed by its Cartesian components and by magnitude. The movement of the mobile on the trajectory may be step by step traced by changing time in data input. The tool facilitates the teaching and learning of the basic concepts in the study of the harmonic oscillations, as well as the kinematics of a curvilinear motion of a mass point. Using and exploring spreadsheets features, the main focus is on the graphical representation of the physical quantities. We may also notice the fast feedback to input data changes. The tool was designed to provide increased efficiency in tracking the graphic and analytical response to the input data. Main spreadsheet, source table and secondary spreadsheets are described in detail. Because of the large number of practical examples that may be analyzed using this tool, the students may easily understand mechanical oscillation, an important chapter of physics.

Excel Spreadsheets, Harmonic Oscillations, Physics Education