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17. Oscillations

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3 topics · 10 learning objectives

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  1. 17.1 Simple harmonic oscillations

    1. • understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference in the context of oscillations, and express the period • In terms of both frequency and angular frequency

    2. • understand that simple harmonic motion occurs when acceleration is proportional to displacement from a fixed point and in the opposite direction

    3. • use a = –ω2x and recall and use, as a solution to this equation, x = x0 sin ωt

    4. • use the equations v = v0 cos ωt and v = ± ω ()xx0 22−

    5. • analyse and interpret graphical representations of the variations of displacement, velocity and acceleration for simple harmonic motion

  2. 17.2 Energy in simple harmonic motion

    1. 17.2.1The interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic

      • describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion

    2. 17.2.2E = 1/2 mω2x0 2 for the total energy of a system undergoing simple harmonic

      • recall and use E = 1/2 mω2x0 2 for the total energy of a system undergoing simple harmonic motion

  3. 17.3 Damped and forced oscillations, resonance

    1. • understand that a resistive force acting on an oscillating system causes damping

    2. • understand and use the terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch displacement–time graphs illustrating these types of damping

    3. • 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