Physics Fundamentalized

The problem of a mass connected to a spring is analyzed using Newton's 2nd law to reveal the harmonic oscillator differential equation which is then solved for the position, velocity and acceleration of the oscillator as a function of time. Arguments are made that such solutions are approximately true for any system for which there exists a potential energy minimum, provided the oscillation is small. Also, it is demonstrated that identical solutions are obtained for a mass hanging from a vertical spring by applying a thoughtful change in coordinate.