A2 Physics Oscillations

what is displacement in oscillations

the distance from equilibrium position

what is amplitude in oscillations

maximum displacement from equilibrium position

what is wavelength in oscillations

one complete cycle of the oscillation

what is period in oscillation

time taken for one complete cycle of an oscillation

two conditions for simple harmonic motion

• acceleration is directly proportional to displacement

• acceleration is in the opposite direction to displacement

formula for acceleration in oscillations

formula for displacement in s.h.m.

how does potential and kinetic energy differ in s.h.m.

• at equilibrium, potential energy is 0 and kinetic energy is at maximum

• at maximum displacement, kinetic energy is 0 and potential energy is maximum

formula for total energy in s.h.m

what causes damping

when there are resistive forces acting on it

graphs for light damping, critical damping and heavy damping

what is resonance

maximum amplitude of oscillations where driving frequency = natura frequency

why does amplitude of oscillations decrease with time

the resistive forces acting against the oscillation causes it to lose energy