Chapter 9
Oscillations
Measure displacement from equilibrium, state the phase and distinguish the ideal free oscillator from a damped or driven response.
Spaced review
Remember this chapter
Save this chapter's 6 recall cards. We'll bring each one back just before you're likely to forget it, a few minutes a day.
Free account needed, so your cards follow you to any device. Notes and quick recall stay free without one.
Choose a lesson
Describe and measure an oscillation
Identify equilibrium and a full cycle, measure amplitude and period, and compare phase.
Recognise the SHM condition
Test the direction and proportionality of restoring acceleration and choose a displacement model with the correct time origin.
Connect velocity and acceleration
Read aligned motion graphs, select the velocity sign and estimate rates from a calibrated position record.
Follow the energy exchange
Account for kinetic and potential energy and explain the effect of changing amplitude.
Compare damped responses
Distinguish underdamped, critically damped and overdamped motion from the same release conditions.
Driving and resonance
Read a frequency-response graph and explain how damping changes useful and unwanted resonance.