Edexcel IAL Physics A-Level

Topic 5.3 - Oscillations

Flashcards

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What is simple harmonic motion?

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What is simple harmonic motion?

An oscillation in which the force is proportional to

the displacement and is in the opposite direction:
F = - kx

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Considering a spring oscillating, give the
definitions of the following:
Displacement
Amplitude
Period
Frequency

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Considering a spring oscillating, give the definitions
of the following:
Displacement - distance from the equilibrium position (vector).

Amplitude - maximum displacement.

Period - time taken for a complete oscillation.

Frequency - number of oscillations per second.

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State the equation relating angular frequency and
time period.

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State the equation relating angular frequency and
time period.

⍵=2π/T
Where ⍵ = angular frequency, T = time
period

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What are the conditions for SHM?

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What are the conditions for SHM?

● Acceleration (and force) must be

proportional to displacement from the
equilibrium point.
● It must act towards the equilibrium point.
● a ∝ -𝑥
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What are the two main examples of systems
which undergo SHM?

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What are the two main examples of systems
which undergo SHM?
● A mass spring system
● A pendulum

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What is the constant of proportionality linking
acceleration and displacement?

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What is the constant of proportionality linking
acceleration and displacement?

-⍵ ²

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True or false: Velocity is a maximum when
displacement is maximum.

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True or false: Velocity is maximum when
displacement is maximum.
False.
The velocity is a minimum at the amplitude of oscillation.
Velocity is a maximum when it passes through the
equilibrium position.

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How can you calculate the maximum speed
using ⍵ and A?

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How can you calculate the maximum speed using ⍵
and A?

Vmax =⍵A

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State the equations for x,v,a in terms of trig
functions and A, ⍵ and t.

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State the equations for x,v,a in terms of trig functions
and A, ⍵ and t.

x = A cos⍵t
v= -A⍵ sin⍵t
a= -A⍵^2 cos⍵t

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State the equations for T for a SHO and a
simple pendulum.

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State the equations for T for a SHO and a simple
pendulum.

SHO Pendulum

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 If the following graph shows displacement
against time, what would the velocity-time graph
look like?
displacement

time

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If the following graph shows displacement against
time, what would the velocity-time graph look like?
displacement

velocity
time
time

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 If the following graph shows displacement
against time, what would the acceleration-time
graph look like?
displacement

time

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If the following graph shows displacement against
time, what would the velocity-time graph look like?
displacement

acceleration
time time
time

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What is damping?

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What is damping?

Damping is the process by which the amplitude

of the oscillations decreases over time. This is
due to energy loss to resistive forces such as
drag or friction.

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With a diagram to help, explain the difference
between light damping, heavy damping and
critical damping.

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 With a diagram to help, explain the difference
between light damping, heavy damping and critical
damping.
Light damping occurs naturally (e.g. pendulum
oscillating in air), and the amplitude decreases
exponentially. When heavy damping occurs (e.g.
pendulum oscillating in water) the amplitude
decreases dramatically. In critical damping (e.g.
pendulum oscillating in treacle) the object stops
before one oscillation is completed.

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What is the difference between free and forced
oscillations?

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 What is the difference between free and forced
oscillations?
When an object oscillates without any external forces being
applied, it oscillates at its natural frequency. This is known as
free oscillation. Forced oscillation occurs when a periodic
driving force is applied to an object, which causes it to
oscillate at a particular frequency.

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What is resonance?

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What is resonance?

When the driving frequency of the external force applied to an

object is the same as the natural frequency of the object, resonance
occurs. This is when the amplitude of oscillation rapidly increases,
and if there is no damping, the amplitude will continue to increase
until the system fails. As damping is increased, the amplitude will
decrease at all frequencies, and the maximum amplitude occurs at
a lower frequency.

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Describe experimental technique to investigate
the resonance of an object

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Describe experimental technique to investigate the
resonance of an object
● Suspend a mass between 2 springs attached to an oscillator.
● Place a millimetre ruler parallel to the spring-mass system to measure the
mass’s amplitude.
● Increase the driving frequency from 0 so the mass oscillates with increasing
amplitude until the driver frequency reaches the natural frequency of the
system (max amplitude as resonance), the amplitude of oscillation will
decrease again as frequency is increased. The air will damp the system.
● To increase accuracy, the system can be filmed and the amplitude value
recorded from video stills.

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