Uniform Circular Motion + SHM

Angular Velocity

Rate of change of angular displacement or angle swept out by the radius vector per unit time.

Centripetal Acceleration

Acceleration of an object directed towards the centre of a circle.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Motion in which the acceleration is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed point and the acceleration is always directed towards that fixed point.

Free Vibration

Oscillations which are not damped (i.e. no resistive forces acting).

Forced Vibrations

Oscillations caused by an external force which varies with time.

Resonance

Oscillations of maximum amplitude caused when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency of the oscillating system.

Damping

Oscillations in which the amplitude decreases to zero due to resistive forces.

Light Damping

Amplitude of oscillations gradually decreases to zero.

Over Damping

No oscillations occur and system returns gradually to equilibrium position.

Critical Damping

System returns to equilibrium position in shortest possible time (T/4).