C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion

Define cycle

One complete ‘there and back’ swing from A to B and back to A

Define amplitude

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position

What is the amplitude measured in?

meters

Define time period

The time taken for one complete cycle from A to B and back to A

Define frequency

The number of complete cycles per second

What is frequency measured in?

Hertz (Hz)

Define angular frequency

the rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time

What is angular frequency measured in?

radians per second

Define simple harmonic motion

SMH is when the acceleration of a body is proportional to its displacement, but acts in the opposite direction

What is the name of the force responsible for the motion?

restoring force

Name 3 examples of SHM

pendulum of a clock, child on a swing, bungee jumper reaching the bottom of their fall

When does acceleration reach its maximum value? (in terms of displacement, x)

x = x(0) (so the amplitude)

When is the speed maximum (in terms of displacement

at the midpoint

In an energy-displacement graph, when is the kinetic energy highest?

when x = 0

In an energy-displacement graph, when is the potential energy highest?

at the amplitudes

What happens to the total energy in a energy-displacement graph?

it stays constant

Energy is always _____ (positive/negative) in an SHM energy graph

positive