A Level Physics CIE: 17. Oscillations

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YOUR NOTES
A Level Physics CIE 
17. Oscillations
CONTENTS
17.1 Simple Harmonic Motion
17.1.1 Describing Oscillations
17.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion
17.1.3 Calculating Acceleration & Displacement in SHM
17.1.4 Calculating Speed in SHM
17.1.5 SHM Graphs
17.1.6 Energy in SHM
17.2 Damped Oscillations
17.2.1 Damping
17.2.2 Resonance
Page 1 of 28
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17.1 Simple Harmonic Motion YOUR NOTES

17.1.1 Describing Oscillations
Describing Oscillations
An oscillation is defined as:
Repeated back and forth movements on either side of any equilibrium position
When the object stops oscillating, it returns to its equilibrium position
An oscillation is a more specific term for a vibration
An oscillator is a device that works on the principles of oscillations
Oscillating systems can be represented by displacement-time graphs similar to transverse
waves
The shape of the graph is a sine curve
The motion is described as sinusoidal
Properties of Oscillations
Displacement (x) of an oscillating system is defined as:
The distance of an oscillator from its equilibrium position
Amplitude (x0) is defined as:
The maximum displacement of an oscillator from its equilibrium position
Angular frequency (⍵) is defined as:
The rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time
This is a scalar quantity measured in rad s-1 and is defined by the equation:
Frequency (f) is defined as:

The number of complete oscillations per unit time
It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is defined by the equation:
Time period (T) is defined as:

The time taken for one complete oscillation, in seconds
One complete oscillation is defined as:
The time taken for the oscillator to pass the equilibrium from one side and back
again fully from the other side
Page 2 of 28
The time period is defined by the equation: YOUR NOTES
Phase difference is how much one oscillator is in front or behind another

When the relative position of two oscillators are equal, they are in phase
When one oscillator is exactly half a cycle behind another, they are said to be in anti-
phase
Phase difference is normally measured in radians or fractions of a cycle
When two oscillators are in antiphase they have a phase difference of π radians
Displacement-time graph of an oscillation of a simple pendulum
Page 3 of 28
YOUR NOTES
 Worked Example

A student sets out to investigate the oscillation of a mass suspended from the free
end of a spring. The mass is pulled downwards and then released. The variation with
time t of the displacement y of the mass is shown in the figure below.
Use the information from the figure to calculate the angular frequency of the
oscillations.
Step 1:
Write down the equation for angular frequency
Step 2:
Calculate the time period T from the graph
The time period is defined as the time taken for one complete oscillation
This can be read from the graph:
Page 4 of 28
YOUR NOTES
T = 2.6 − 0.5 = 2.1 s

Step 3:
Substitute into angular frequency equation
 Exam Tip
The properties used to describe oscillations are very similar to transverse waves. The
key difference is that oscillators do not have a ‘wavelength’ and their direction of
travel is only kept within the oscillations themselves rather than travelling a distance
in space.
Page 5 of 28
17.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion YOUR NOTES

Conditions for Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a specific type of oscillation
SHM is defined as:
A type of oscillation in which the acceleration of a body is proportional to its
displacement, but acts in the opposite direction
Examples of oscillators that undergo SHM are:

The pendulum of a clock
A mass on a spring
Guitar strings
The electrons in alternating current flowing through a wire
This means for an object to oscillate specifically in SHM, it must satisfy the following
conditions:
Periodic oscillations
Acceleration proportional to its displacement
Acceleration in the opposite direction to its displacement
Acceleration a and displacement x can be represented by the defining equation of SHM:
a ∝ −x
An object in SHM will also have a restoring force to return it to its equilibrium position
This restoring force will be directly proportional, but in the opposite direction, to the
displacement of the object from the equilibrium position
Note: the restoring force and acceleration act in the same direction
Page 6 of 28
YOUR NOTES
Force, acceleration and displacement of a pendulum in SHM

This is why a person jumping on a trampoline is not an example of simple harmonic motion:
The restoring force on the person is not proportional to their distance from the
equilibrium position
When the person is not in contact with the trampoline, the restoring force is equal to
their weight, which is constant
This does not change, even if they jump higher
Page 7 of 28
17.1.3 Calculating Acceleration & Displacement in SHM YOUR NOTES

Acceleration & Displacement of an Oscillator
The acceleration of an object oscillating in simple harmonic motion is:
a = −⍵2x
Where:
a = acceleration (m s-2)
⍵ = angular frequency (rad s-1)
x = displacement (m)
This is used to find the acceleration of an object in SHM with a particular angular frequency
⍵ at a specific displacement x
The equation demonstrates:
The acceleration reaches its maximum value when the displacement is at a maximum
ie. x = x0 (amplitude)
The minus sign shows that when the object is displacement to the right, the direction
of the acceleration is to the left
The acceleration of an object in SHM is directly proportional to the negative displacement

The graph of acceleration against displacement is a straight line through the origin sloping
downwards (similar to y = − x)
Key features of the graph:
The gradient is equal to − ⍵2
The maximum and minimum displacement x values are the amplitudes −x0 and +x0
A solution to the SHM acceleration equation is the displacement equation:
x = x0sin(⍵t)
Where:
Page 8 of 28
x = displacement (m) YOUR NOTES
x0 = amplitude (m) 
t = time (s)
This equation can be used to find the position of an object in SHM with a particular angular
frequency and amplitude at a moment in time
Note: This version of the equation is only relevant when an object begins oscillating
from the equilibrium position (x = 0 at t = 0)
The displacement will be at its maximum when sin(⍵t) equals 1 or − 1, when x = x0
If an object is oscillating from its amplitude position (x = x0 or x = − x0 at t = 0) then the
displacement equation will be:
x = x0cos(⍵t)
This is because the cosine graph starts at a maximum, whilst the sine graph starts at 0
These two graphs represent the same SHM. The difference is the starting position
 Worked Example
A mass of 55 g is suspended from a fixed point by means of a spring. The stationary
mass is pulled vertically downwards through a distance of 4.3 cm and then
released at t = 0.
The mass is observed to perform simple harmonic motion with a period of 0.8 s.
Calculate the displacement x in cm of the mass at time t = 0.3 s.
Step 1: Write down the SHM displacement equation

Page 9 of 28
Since the mass is released at t = 0 at its maximum displacement, the displacement YOUR NOTES
equation will be with the cosine function: 

x = x0 cos(⍵t)
Step 2: Calculate angular frequency
2π 2π
ω= = = 7 . 85 rad s −1
T 0.8
Remember to use the value of the time period given, not the time where you are
calculating the displacement from
Step 3: Substitute values into the displacement equation
x = 4.3 cos (7.85 × 0.3) = –3.0369… = –3.0 cm (2 s.f)
Make sure the calculator is in radians mode
The negative value means the mass is 3.0 cm on the opposite side of the equilibrium
position to where it started (3.0 cm above it)
 Exam Tip
Since displacement is a vector quantity, remember to keep the minus sign in your
solutions if they are negative, you could lose a mark if not!
Also, remember that your calculator must be in radians mode when using the cosine
and sine functions. This is because the angular frequency ⍵ is calculated in rad s-1,
not degrees.
You often have to convert between time period T, frequency f and angular frequency
⍵ for many exam questions – so make sure you revise the equations relating to
these.
Page 10 of 28
17.1.4 Calculating Speed in SHM YOUR NOTES

Calculating Speed of an Oscillator
The speed of an object in simple harmonic motion varies as it oscillates back and forth
Its speed is the magnitude of its velocity
The greatest speed of an oscillator is at the equilibrium position ie. when its displacement is
0 (x = 0)
The speed of an oscillator in SHM is defined by:
v = v0 cos(⍵t)
Where:
v = speed (m s-1)
v0 = maximum speed (m s-1)
t = time (s)
This is a cosine function if the object starts oscillating from the equilibrium position (x = 0
when t = 0)
Although the symbol v is commonly used to represent velocity, not speed, exam questions
focus more on the magnitude of the velocity than its direction in SHM
How the speed v changes with the oscillator’s displacement x is defined by:
Where:
x = displacement (m)
x0 = amplitude (m)
± = ‘plus or minus’. The value can be negative or positive
This equation shows that when an oscillator has a greater amplitude x0, it has to travel a
greater distance in the same time and hence has greater speed v
Both equations for speed will be given on your formulae sheet in the exam
When the speed is at its maximums (at x = 0), the equation becomes:
v0 = ⍵x0
Page 11 of 28
YOUR NOTES
The variation of the speed of a mass on a spring in SHM over one complete cycle
 Worked Example
A simple pendulum oscillates with simple harmonic motion with an amplitude of 15
cm. The frequency of the oscillations is 6.7 Hz.Calculate the speed of the pendulum
at a position of 12 cm from the equilibrium position.
Step 1: Write out the known quantities

Amplitude of oscillations, x0 = 15 cm = 0.15 m
Displacement at which the speed is to be found, x = 12 cm = 0.12 m
Frequency, f = 6.7 Hz
Step 2: Oscillator speed with displacement equation
Since the speed is being calculated, the ± sign can be removed as direction does not
matter in this case
Step 3: Write an expression for the angular frequency
Equation relating angular frequency and normal frequency:
⍵ = 2πf = 2π× 6.7 = 42.097…
Page 12 of 28
Step 4: Substitute in values and calculate YOUR NOTES
v = 3.789 = 3.8 m s-1 (2 s.f)
 Exam Tip
You often have to convert between time period T, frequency f and angular frequency
⍵ for many exam questions – so make sure you revise the equations relating to
these.
Page 13 of 28
17.1.5 SHM Graphs YOUR NOTES

SHM Graphs
The displacement, velocity and acceleration of an object in simple harmonic motion can be
represented by graphs against time
All undamped SHM graphs are represented by periodic functions
This means they can all be described by sine and cosine curves
Page 14 of 28
The displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs in SHM are all 90° out of phase with YOUR NOTES
each other 
Key features of the displacement-time graph:
The amplitude of oscillations x0 can be found from the maximum value of x
The time period of oscillations T can be found from reading the time taken for one full
cycle
The graph might not always start at 0
If the oscillations starts at the positive or negative amplitude, the displacement will be
at its maximum
Key features of the velocity-time graph:
It is 90o out of phase with the displacement-time graph
Velocity is equal to the rate of change of displacement
So, the velocity of an oscillator at any time can be determined from the gradient of the
displacement-time graph:
An oscillator moves the fastest at its equilibrium position

Therefore, the velocity is at its maximum when the displacement is zero
Key features of the acceleration-time graph:
The acceleration graph is a reflection of the displacement graph on the x axis
This means when a mass has positive displacement (to the right) the acceleration is in
the opposite direction (to the left) and vice versa
It is 90o out of phase with the velocity-time graph
Acceleration is equal to the rate of change of velocity
So, the acceleration of an oscillator at any time can be determined from the gradient
of the velocity-time graph:
The maximum value of the acceleration is when the oscillator is at its maximum
displacement
Page 15 of 28
YOUR NOTES
 Worked Example

A swing is pulled 5 cm and then released.The variation of the horizontal
displacement x of the swing with time t is shown on the graph below.
The swing exhibits simple harmonic motion.Use data from the graph to determine
at what time the velocity of the swing is first at its maximum.
Step 1: The velocity is at its maximum when the displacement x = 0

Step 2: Reading value of time when x = 0
From the graph this is equal to 0.2 s
 Exam Tip
These graphs might not look identical to what is in your textbook, depending on
where the object starts oscillating from at t = 0 (on either side of the equilibrium, or at
the equilibrium). However, if there is no damping, they will all always be a general sine
or cosine curves.
Page 16 of 28
17.1.6 Energy in SHM YOUR NOTES

Kinetic & Potential Energies
During simple harmonic motion, energy is constantly exchanged between two forms:
kinetic and potential
The potential energy could be in the form of:
Gravitational potential energy (for a pendulum)
Elastic potential energy (for a horizontal mass on a spring)
Or both (for a vertical mass on a spring)
Speed, v, is at a maximum when displacement, x, = 0, so:
The system has maximum kinetic energy when the displacement is zero because
the oscillator is at its equilibrium position and so moving at maximum velocity.
Therefore, the kinetic energy is zero at maximum displacement x = x0, so:
The potential energy is at a maximum when the displacement (both positive and
negative) is at a maximum, x = ± x 0 (amplitude)
A simple harmonic system is therefore constantly converting between kinetic and potential
energy
When one increases, the other decreases and vice versa, therefore:
The total energy of a simple harmonic system always remains constant and is equal
to the sum of the kinetic and potential energies
Page 17 of 28
The kinetic and potential energy of an oscillator in SHM vary periodically YOUR NOTES
The key features of the energy-time graph are: 

Both the kinetic and potential energies are represented by periodic functions (sine or
cosine) which are varying in opposite directions to one another
When the potential energy is 0, the kinetic energy is at its maximum point and vice
versa
The total energy is represented by a horizontal straight line directly above the curves
at the maximum value of both the kinetic or potential energy
Energy is always positive so there are no negative values on the y axis
Recall that the kinetic energy is defined by the equation
Gravitational potential energy is defined by the equation
Note: kinetic and potential energy go through two complete cycles during one period of
oscillation
This is because one complete oscillation reaches the maximum displacement twice
(positive and negative)
The energy-displacement graph for half a cycle looks like:
Page 18 of 28
YOUR NOTES
Potential and kinetic energy v displacement in half a period of an SHM oscillation

The key features of the energy-displacement graph:
Displacement is a vector, so, the graph has both positive and negative x values
The potential energy is always at a maximum at the amplitude positions x0 and 0 at the
equilibrium position (x = 0)
This is represented by a ‘U’ shaped curve
The kinetic energy is the opposite: it is 0 at the amplitude positions x0 and maximum at
the equilibrium position x = 0
This is represented by a ‘n’ shaped curve
The total energy is represented by a horizontal straight line above the curves
 Exam Tip
You may be expected to draw as well as interpret energy graphs against time or
displacement in exam questions. Make sure the sketches of the curves are as even
as possible and use a ruler to draw straight lines, for example, to represent the total
energy.
Page 19 of 28
Calculating Total Energy of a Simple Harmonic System YOUR NOTES
The total energy of system undergoing simple harmonic motion is defined by: 
1
E= mω 2x 20
2
Where:
E = total energy of a simple harmonic system (J)
m = mass of the oscillator (kg)
x0 = amplitude (m)
 Worked Example
A ball of mass 23 g is held between two fixed points A and B by two stretch helical
springs, as shown in the figure below
The ball oscillates along the line AB with simple harmonic motion of frequency 4.8
Hz and amplitude 1.5 cm.Calculate the total energy of the oscillations.
Step 1: Write down all known quantities

Mass, m = 23 g = 23 × 10–3 kg
Amplitude, x0 = 1.5 cm = 0.015 m
Frequency, f = 4.8 Hz
Step 2: Write down the equation for the total energy of SHM oscillations:
1
E= mω 2x 20
2
Step 3: Write an expression for the angular frequency
ω = 2πf = 2π × 4 . 8
Step 4: Substitute values into energy equation
1
E= × (23 × 10−3 ) × (2 π × 4 . 8) 2 × (0 . 015) 2
2
E = 2 . 354 × 10−3 = 2 . 4 mJ (2 s . f . )
Page 20 of 28
17.2 Damped Oscillations YOUR NOTES

17.2.1 Damping
Damping
In practice, all oscillators eventually stop oscillating
Their amplitudes decrease rapidly, or gradually
This happens due to resistive forces, such friction or air resistance, which act in the
opposite direction to the motion of an oscillator
Resistive forces acting on an oscillating simple harmonic system cause damping
These are known as damped oscillations
Damping is defined as:
The reduction in energy and amplitude of oscillations due to resistive forces on the
oscillating system
Damping continues until the oscillator comes to rest at the equilibrium position
A key feature of simple harmonic motion is that the frequency of damped oscillations does
not change as the amplitude decreases
For example, a child on a swing can oscillate back and forth once every second, but
this time remains the same regardless of the amplitude
Damping on a mass on a spring is caused by a resistive force acting in the opposite direction
to the motion. This continues until the amplitude of the oscillations reaches zero
Page 21 of 28
Exam Tip YOUR NOTES
 Make sure not to confuse resistive force and restoring force:


Resistive force is what opposes the motion of the oscillator and causes
damping
Restoring force is what brings the oscillator back to the equilibrium position
Page 22 of 28
Types of Damping YOUR NOTES
There are three degrees of damping depending on how quickly the amplitude of the 
oscillations decrease:
Light damping
Critical damping
Heavy damping
Light Damping
When oscillations are lightly damped, the amplitude does not decrease linearly
It decays exponentially with time
When a lightly damped oscillator is displaced from the equilibrium, it will oscillate with
gradually decreasing amplitude
For example, a swinging pendulum decreasing in amplitude until it comes to a stop
A graph for a lightly damped system consists of oscillations decreasing exponentially

Key features of a displacement-time graph for a lightly damped system:
There are many oscillations represented by a sine or cosine curve with gradually
decreasing amplitude over time
This is shown by the height of the curve decreasing in both the positive and negative
displacement values
The amplitude decreases exponentially
The frequency of the oscillations remain constant, this means the time period of
oscillations must stay the same and each peak and trough is equally spaced
Critical Damping
When a critically damped oscillator is displaced from the equilibrium, it will return to rest at
its equilibrium position in the shortest possible time without oscillating
For example, car suspension systems prevent the car from oscillating after travelling
over a bump in the road
Page 23 of 28
YOUR NOTES
The graph for a critically damped system shows no oscillations and the displacement
returns to zero in the quickest possible time
Key features of a displacement-time graph for a critically damped system:
This system does not oscillate, meaning the displacement falls to 0 straight away
The graph has a fast decreasing gradient when the oscillator is first displaced until it
reaches the x axis
When the oscillator reaches the equilibrium position (x = 0), the graph is a horizontal line
at x = 0 for the remaining time
Heavy Damping
When a heavily damped oscillator is displaced from the equilibrium, it will take a long time to
return to its equilibrium position without oscillating
The system returns to equilibrium more slowly than the critical damping case
For example, door dampers to prevent them slamming shut
A heavy damping curve has no oscillations and the displacement returns to zero after a long
period of time
Key features of a displacement-time graph for a heavily damped system:
There are no oscillations. This means the displacement does not pass 0
The graph has a slow decreasing gradient from when the oscillator is first displaced
until it reaches the x axis
Page 24 of 28
The oscillator reaches the equilibrium position (x = 0) after a long period of time, after YOUR NOTES
which the graph remains a horizontal line for the remaining time 
 Worked Example
A mechanical weighing scale consists of a needle which moves to a position on a
numerical scale depending on the weight applied. Sometimes, the needle moves to
the equilibrium position after oscillating slightly, making it difficult to read the
number on the scale to which it is pointing to.Suggest, with a reason, whether light,
critical or heavy damping should be applied to the mechanical weighing scale to
read the scale more easily.
ANSWER:
Ideally, the needle should not oscillate before settling
This means the scale should have either critical or heavy damping
Since the scale is read straight away after a weight is applied, ideally the needle should
settle as quickly as possible
Heavy damping would mean the needle will take some time to settle on the scale
Therefore, critical damping should be applied to the weighing scale so the needle can
settle as quickly as possible to read from the scale
Page 25 of 28
17.2.2 Resonance YOUR NOTES

Resonance
In order to sustain oscillations in a simple harmonic system, a periodic force must be
applied to replace the energy lost in damping
This periodic force does work on the resistive force decreasing the oscillations
These are known as forced oscillations, and are defined as:
Periodic forces which are applied in order to sustain oscillations
For example, when a child is on a swing, they will be pushed at one end after each cycle in
order to keep swinging and prevent air resistance from damping the oscillations
These extra pushes are the forced oscillations, without them, the child will eventually
come to a stop
The frequency of forced oscillations is referred to as the driving frequency (f)
All oscillating systems have a natural frequency (f0), this is defined as:
The frequency of an oscillation when the oscillating system is allowed to oscillate
freely
Oscillating systems can exhibit a property known as resonance
When resonance is achieved, a maximum amplitude of oscillations can be observed
Resonance is defined as:
When the driving frequency applied to an oscillating system is equal to its natural
frequency, the amplitude of the resulting oscillations increases significantly
For example, when a child is pushed on a swing:
The swing plus the child has a fixed natural frequency
A small push after each cycle increases the amplitude of the oscillations to swing the
child higher
If the driving frequency does not quite match the natural frequency, the amplitude will
increase but not to the same extent at when resonance is achieved
This is because at resonance, energy is transferred from the driver to the oscillating system
most efficiently
Therefore, at resonance, the system will be transferring the maximum kinetic energy
possible
A graph of driving frequency f against amplitude a of oscillations is called a resonance
curve. It has the following key features:
When f < f0, the amplitude of oscillations increases
At the peak where f = f0, the amplitude is at its maximum. This is resonance
When f > f0, the amplitude of oscillations starts to decrease
Page 26 of 28
YOUR NOTES
The maximum amplitude of the oscillations occurs when the driving frequency is equal to
the natural frequency of the oscillator
Damping reduces the amplitude of resonance vibrations
The height and shape of the resonance curve will therefore change slightly depending on
the degree of damping
Note: the natural frequency f0 will remain the same
As the degree of damping is increased, the resonance graph is altered in the following
ways:
The amplitude of resonance vibrations decrease, meaning the peak of the curve
lowers
The resonance peak broadens
The resonance peak moves slightly to the left of the natural frequency when heavily
damped
Page 27 of 28
YOUR NOTES
As damping is increased, resonance peak lowers, the curve broadens and moves slightly to
the left
Page 28 of 28

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A Level Physics CIE 

17.1 Simple Harmonic Motion YOUR NOTES

Frequency (f) is defined as:

Time period (T) is defined as:

The time period is defined by the equation: YOUR NOTES

Phase difference is how much one oscillator is in front or behind another

Displacement-time graph of an oscillation of a simple pendulum

T = 2.6 − 0.5 = 2.1 s

17.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion YOUR NOTES

Examples of oscillators that undergo SHM are:

Force, acceleration and displacement of a pendulum in SHM

17.1.3 Calculating Acceleration & Displacement in SHM YOUR NOTES

The acceleration of an object in SHM is directly proportional to the negative displacement

x = displacement (m) YOUR NOTES

Step 1: Write down the SHM displacement equation

equation will be with the cosine function: 

17.1.4 Calculating Speed in SHM YOUR NOTES

Step 1: Write out the known quantities

Step 4: Substitute in values and calculate YOUR NOTES

v = 3.789 = 3.8 m s-1 (2 s.f)

17.1.5 SHM Graphs YOUR NOTES

An oscillator moves the fastest at its equilibrium position

Step 1: The velocity is at its maximum when the displacement x = 0

17.1.6 Energy in SHM YOUR NOTES

The key features of the energy-time graph are: 

Gravitational potential energy is defined by the equation

Potential and kinetic energy v displacement in half a period of an SHM oscillation

Calculating Total Energy of a Simple Harmonic System YOUR NOTES

Step 1: Write down all known quantities

Step 3: Write an expression for the angular frequency

Step 4: Substitute values into energy equation

17.2 Damped Oscillations YOUR NOTES

Exam Tip YOUR NOTES

 Make sure not to confuse resistive force and restoring force:

Types of Damping YOUR NOTES

A graph for a lightly damped system consists of oscillations decreasing exponentially

17.2.2 Resonance YOUR NOTES

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