C.1 Simple Harmonic Motion

Question 1

Isochronus

Answer 1

An oscillation that repeats with the same time period.

Question 2

Oscillation

Answer 2

A back and forth motion about an equilibrium position

Question 3

Displacement (x)

Answer 3

Instantaneous distance from the equilibrium position in a specific direction

Question 4

Amplitude (x_o)

Answer 4

Max displacement from the equilibrium position (m)

Question 5

Frequency (f)

Answer 5

Number of oscillations per second (Hz or s^-1)

Question 6

Period (T)

Answer 6

Time for one oscillation (s)

Question 7

Phase (∅)

Answer 7

Measure of how “in step” different particles are (one cycle=360° or 2π radians)

Question 8

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Answer 8

A type of oscillation that takes place when the acceleration of (and the force on) an object is both proportional to its displacement from equilibrium and in the opposite direction to the displacement (towards eq pos). The motion is due to a restoring force.

Question 9

Restoring force

Answer 9

A force always directed towards the equilibrium position

Question 10

Angular frequency (ω)

Answer 10

The angular speed that an object undergoing uniform circular motion would have were it to match the SHM.

Question 11

Angular frequency (ω) units

Answer 11

rad s^-1

Question 12

Graph of acceleration against displacement

Answer 12

• Straight line shows that accel is proportional to displacement
• Negative gradient shows that accel and displacement are in opposite directions
• grad= -ω^2