Oscillations

What you'll learn

• Understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference in the context of oscillations.
• Express the period in terms of both frequency and angular frequency.
• Understand that simple harmonic motion occurs when acceleration is proportional to displacement from a fixed point and in the opposite direction.
• Use a = –ω²x and recall and use, as a solution to this equation, x = x₀ sin ωt.
• Use the equations v = v₀ cos ωt and v = ±ω√(x₀² – x²).
• Analyse and interpret graphical illustrations of the variations of displacement, velocity and acceleration for simple harmonic motion.
• Describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion.
• Recall and use E = ½mω²x₀² for the total energy of a system undergoing simple harmonic motion.
• Understand that a resistive force acting on an oscillating system causes damping.
• Understand and use the terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch displacement–time graphs illustrating these types of damping.
• Understand that resonance involves a maximum amplitude of oscillations and that this occurs when an oscillating system is forced to oscillate at its natural frequency.

Study tools for this chapter

Pick a format and jump in — all tools are syllabus-mapped to Oscillations.

About Oscillations on Nexelia Academy

Frequently asked questions about Oscillations