15.1 Simple Harmonic Motion Flashcards
What is the amplitude?
Maximum displacement from the mean (equilibrium) position in meters
What is the period?
the time taken to complete 1 oscillation
What is the frequency?
the number of complete oscillations in 1 second (measured in hertz)
What is a mechanical oscillation?
Oscillation which uses matter as a medium for energy transfer
What is the equation combining frequency and period?
f = 1/t
What characteristics must be shown for an oscillation to be counted as shm?
- the resultant force acting on the oscillating body, hence causing it to accelerate
- acceleration is proportional to the displacement of the body (distance from equilibrium position)
- the resultant force and hence acceleration always act in the direction towards the equilibrium position
What does shm stand for?
Simple harmonic motion
What is simple harmonic motion?
It is a periodic motion about an equilibrium position such that the acceleration is proportional to the displacement and the force/acceleration are always towards the fixed equilibrium point
Equation for the restoring force?
What do the signs stand for?
F = -kx F = restoring force k = constant x = displacement
Why is there a minus sign before the k?
It means that the resultant force is always in the opposite direction to displacement
What are good examples of object which exhibit shm?
mass-spring systems
pendulums
Are F,x and a are vectors? (force,displacement and acceleration)
yes
What is the equation for acceleration in simple harmonic motion?
a = - ω^2 x where a = acceleration ω = angular frequency/velocity x = displacement
What is force proportional to?
acceleration and displacement
What does that mean acceleration is proportional to ?
displacement
