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

    2. • 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. 17.3.1A resistive force acting on an oscillating system causes damping

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

    2. 17.3.2The terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch displacement–time

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

    3. 17.3.3Resonance involves a maximum amplitude of oscillations and that this occurs

      • 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