The principles of simple harmonic motion

Question 1

What is simple harmonic motion?

Answer 1

defined as occilating motion in which the acceleration is:

1. propotional to the displacement
2. always in the opposite direction to the displacement

Question 2

What is the equation that summarised SHM?

Answer 2

a ∝ -x

ie a = -contant X displacement x

Question 3

What does the minus sign in the equation show?

Answer 3

the acceleration is in the opposite direction to the displacement

Question 4

What does the constant of propotionaality dpeends on ?

Answer 4

T of the oscillation

the shorter T, the faster the oscillation

this means the larger the acceleration at any given displacement]

constant is greater as T decreases

Question 5

What does an object with moving with SHM do?>

Answer 5

• oscillate either side of a midpoint

Question 6

What is displacement?

Answer 6

• distance from midpoint

Question 7

WHat is the restoring force?

Answer 7

• there is always a restoring force pulling or pushing the object back toward the mid point

Question 8

What does the size of the restoring force deoebd on?

Answer 8

• directly proportional to displacement

Question 9

What does the restoring force cause?

Answer 9

• acceleration toward the midpoint
• acceleration is directly proportional to displacement

Question 10

Describe the characteristics of a oscillating objects speed

Answer 10

• an object speeds up as it returns to equilibrium and it slows down as it moves away from equilibrium
• the magnitude of the velocity is greatest when the gradient of the displacement-time graph is greatest -
  
  • when the object passes through equilibrium - zero displacement
    
    • the velocity is zero when the gradient of the displace-time graph is zero - maxiumum displacement