APP1 Unit 8 Variables

T

period: seconds per one cycle (s)

f

frequency: cycles per one second (Hz or s⁻¹)

A

amplitude: maximum displacement from equilibrium (m)

equilibrium

net force is zero; velocity is maximum; acceleration is zero

Restoring force

1. Points towards equilibrium

2. Proportional to distance from equilibrium

l

length of pendulum (m)

k

spring constant (N/m)

Δx (springs)

compression/stretch of spring from equilibrium (m)

g

gravitational field strength (m/s² or N/kg)

ω

angular frequency \= 2π / period

|vmax| \= |ωA|

The magnitude of the maximum speed in simple harmonic motion

|amax| \= |ω²A|

The magnitude of the maximum acceleration in simple harmonic motion