SHM revision Flashcards
To revise SHM
What is the period of oscillation?
The time for one complete cycle of oscillation.
If a trolley is at equilibrium attached to two springs, when pushed in one direction, what will the trolley do and why?
It will accelerate toward the equilibrium point. The extended spring provides a restoring force.
Define a free oscillator
Oscillations where there is no periodic force acting on the system
Define a forced oscillator
A system is forced to oscillate by an external periodic force
For an object undergoing SHM where does it have the greatest velocity?
At the equilibrium position
For an object undergoing SHM where does it have zero velocity?
At the amplitudes
For an object undergoing SHM where does it have the greatest acceleration?
At the amplitudes
For an object undergoing SHM where does it have the least acceleration?
At the equilibrium point
State the two conditions required for SHM
- Acceleration always directed towards the equilibrium position 2. The acceleration is proportional to the displacement of the object from the equilibrium position

What is the relationship between displacement and frequency for a shm oscillator?
They are independent. As displacement increases the accelerations increases. This increases the average velocity which cancels out the additional distance the oscillator needs to travel
What is the relationship between mass and frequency for a shm oscillator?
As mass increases the accelerations decreases (F=ma).
the lower acceleration causes a lower average velocity.
This means time period will increase and from
f = 1/T then frequency will decrease
What is the relationship between spring constant and frequency for a shm oscillator?
As spring constant increases the resting force increases (F=ke).
This causes a larger acceleration (F = ma)
which means the average velocity will be greater.
The will reduced the time period and
increase the frequency (f = 1/T)
Describe the displacement against time graph for an oscillator starting at the right hand side amplitude
Sin (x)

Describe the velocity against time graph for an oscillator starting at the right hand side amplitude
cos (x)

Describe the acceleration against time graph for an oscillator starting at the right hand side amplitude
-sin (X)

What function should your calculator be in when using the displacement equation
Radians
Describe the acceleration against displacement graph for a SHM oscillator
A straight line through the origin with a negative gradient

What can be found from the gradiant of a graph of acceleration vs dispacement?

(2πf)2
Describe the velocity against displacement graph for a SHM oscillator
A circle with the origin as the mid point

Describe the kinetic energy against displacement graph for a SHM oscillator
a n shape

Describe the potential energy against displacement graph for a SHM oscillator
a u shape

For a mass spring system plan a practical to prove the relationship between time period and mass
- Vary the mass 8 times.
- Measure the time period
- Keep spring constant a control variable
- make the experiment more accurate by repeat readings, timing for 10 oscillations and reduce parallax errors by keeping your eye level with the start and end of an oscillation
- Plot a graph of T2 against m.
- Relationship is proven if the graph is a straight line through the origin.
For a pendulum plan a practical to prove the relationship between time period and length
- Vary the length 8 times.
- Measure the time period
- Keep mass of the pendulum bob a control variable
- make the experiment more accurate by repeat reading, timing for 10 oscillations and reduce parallax errors by keeping your eye level with the start and end of an oscillation
- Plot a graph of T2 against l.
- Relationship is proven if the graph is a straight line through the origin.

What is damping?
The term used to describe the removal of energy from an oscillating system.







