A uniform beam is clamped at one end. A metal block of mass m is fixed to the other end of the beam causing it to bend, as shown in Fig. 3.1. clamp beam metal block mass m X equilibrium position displaced position Fig. 3.1 The block is given a small vertical displacement and then released so that it oscillates with simple harmonic motion. The acceleration a of the block is given by the expression a = -k/m x where k is a constant for the beam and x is the vertical displacement of the block from its equilibrium position. (e) Permanent magnets are now positioned so that the metal block oscillates between the poles, as shown in Fig. 3.2. beam metal block permanent magnets Fig. 3.2