5.3  Oscillations

5.3.1  Simple harmonic oscillations

 

Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:

 

(a) displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference

You need to be able to define all these terms and their units.

 

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​(b) angular frequency

 

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(c) (i) simple harmonic motion; defining equation

 

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(ii) techniques and procedures used to determine the period/frequency of simple harmonic oscillations  e.g. mass on a spring, pendulum

 

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(d) solutions to the equation 

 

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(e) velocity 

 

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(f) the period of a simple harmonic oscillator is independent of its amplitude (isochronous oscillator)

Isochronous is a very cool word and you should use it at every opportunity.  It means the time stays the same!

 

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(g) graphical methods to relate the changes in displacement, velocity and acceleration during simple harmonic motion

 

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5.3.2  Energy of a simple harmonic oscillator

Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:

 

(a) interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion

 

(b) energy-displacement graphs for a simple harmonic oscillator

 

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5.3.3  Damping

 

 

Learners should be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and understanding of:

 

(a) free and forced oscillations

 

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(b) (i) the effects of damping on an oscillatory system

 

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(ii) observe forced and damped oscillations for a range of systems

 

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(c) resonance; natural frequency

 

(d) amplitude-driving frequency graphs for forced oscillators

 

(e) practical examples of forced oscillations and resonance.

 

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