5.3 Oscillations (shm)

Question 1

What is the equilibrium position in an oscillation?

Answer 1

The point at which an object experiences no resultant force and thus no acceleration (the ‘rest’ position of an object).

Question 2

How many radians of phase are there in one complete oscillation?

Answer 2

2pi

Question 3

How do you calculate the angular frequency of an oscillation?

Answer 3

2pi x frequency of the oscillation

Question 4

What are the conditions required for shm?

Answer 4

The acceleration of an object is proportional, to its displacement from equilibrium and always in the opposite direction

Question 5

What is the acceleration of an object undergoing SHM when it’s displacement is zero?

Answer 5

Zero

Question 6

What is an isochronous oscillator?

Answer 6

An oscillator with a period/frequency that is not dependent on amplitude

Question 7

What is a fiducial marker?

Answer 7

A pin or a pointer placed at the equilibrium position of an oscillation

Question 8

What measures can be taken to improve the accuracy when measuring the time period of SHM?

Answer 8

Time over multiple oscillations and calculate the average of several repeats.

Question 9

What is the kinetic energy of an SHM oscillator at maximum displacement?

Answer 9

Zero

Question 10

How does the total energy in an SHM oscillator vary with time?

Answer 10

It is constant

Question 11

At what displacement is the potential energy of an SHM oscillator at a maximum?

Answer 11

At maximum displacement (x=±A).

Question 12

How do you calculate the total energy of an SHM oscillator from its amplitude?

Answer 12

E = 1⁄2 k A^2

Question 13

What is a free oscillation?

Answer 13

An oscillation in which no external driving force is present

Question 14

What causes damping of an oscillation?

Answer 14

An external force opposing motion

Question 15

What effect does damping of an oscillation have in terms of energy?

Answer 15

It transfers the KE of the oscillation to other forms, usually thermal energy

Question 16

What is light damping of an oscillation?

Answer 16

A small damping force causing the amplitude of the oscillations to decrease slowly.

Question 17

What is heavy damping of an oscillation?

Answer 17

A damping force that results in a rapid decrease in the amplitude of oscillations

Question 18

What is very heavy damping of an oscillation?

Answer 18

A large damping force that prevents any oscillations of the system when its displaced.

Question 19

What is the natural frequency of an oscillator?

Answer 19

The frequency at which osicllation will occur in a system with no external driving forces (free oscillations)

Question 20

What is a forced oscillation?

Answer 20

An oscillation in which a (periodic) external driving force is present

Question 21

What is a driving frequency in oscillations?

Answer 21

The frequency of the external driving force in a forced oscillation

Question 22

What is resonance?

Answer 22

When the driving frequency of a forced oscillation is close to the natural frequency of the system resulting in large amplitude oscillations

Question 23

What is likely to occur when a mechanical system with little or no damping resonates?

Answer 23

The amplitude of the oscillations will increase until the object breaks.

Question 24

What occurs in terms of energy during resonance?

Answer 24

There is the greatest possible transfer of energy from the driver to the forced oscillation.

Question 25

What effects does increasing damping have on resonance?

Answer 25

It reduces the maximum amplitude and it reduces the frequency of maximum amplitude