Physics Topic: Oscillations

  1. describe simple examples of free oscillations, where particles periodically return to an equilibrium position without gaining energy from or losing energy to the environment

  2. investigate the motion of an oscillator using experimental and graphical methods

  3. show an understanding of and use the terms amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency, phase and phase difference and express the period in terms of both frequency and angular frequency

  4. show an understanding that a = -ω2x is the defining equation of simple harmonic motion, where acceleration is (directly) proportional to displacement from an equilibrium position and acceleration is always directed towards the equilibrium position

  5. recognise and use x = x0 sin ωt as a solution to the equation a = -ω2x

  6. recognise and use the equations v = v0 cos ωt and v = ± ω √x02 – x2

  7. describe, with graphical illustrations, the relationships between displacement, velocity and acceleration during simple harmonic motion

  8. describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion

  9. describe practical examples of damped oscillations, with particular reference to the effects of the degree of damping (light/under, critical, heavy/over), and to the importance of critical damping in applications such as a car suspension system

  10. describe graphically how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes with driving frequency, resulting in maximum amplitude at resonance when the driving frequency is close to or at the natural frequency of the system

  11. show a qualitative understanding of the effects of damping on the frequency response and sharpness of the resonance

  12. describe practical examples of forced oscillations and resonance, and show an appreciation that there are some circumstances in which resonance is useful, and other circumstances in which resonance should be avoided.