Topic 4 Oscillations and Waves

4.1 Kinematics of simple harmonic motion (SHM)

4.1.1

Describe examples of oscillations.

4.1.2

Define the terms displacement, amplitude, frequency, period and phase

difference.

4.1.3

An oscillation is a small side to side movement of an object about its

normal position.

Displacement is the position of the object relative to its normal

position.
The amplitude is the greatest distance the object moves from its
normal position.
Frequency is the number of oscillations that occur in 1 sec.
Period is the time to complete one oscillation.
Phase is the fraction of a cycle one object is behind another when they
both oscillate at the same frequency but not in time.
The angular frequency of an oscillation is equal to 2 divided by its
period.

Define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and state the defining equation as
a 2x

When an oscillating objects acceleration is in the opposite direction to

its displacement and proportional to the size of its displacement, the

object is performing Simple Harmonic Motion.
4.1.4

Solve problems using the defining equation for SHM.

4.1.5

Apply the equations v=vo sin t, v=vo cos t, v= (xo2-x2), x=xo cos t,
and x=xo sin t as solutions to the defining equation for SHM.

For an SHM with angular frequency , amplitude r, maximum

velocity vo:

if displacement is -r when t = 0:

x = -r cos t

vo = r

v = vo sin t

if displacement = 0 when t = 0:

x = r sin t

vo = r

v = vo cos t

For any initial conditions, v = r2 - x2

4.1.6

Solve problems, both graphically and by calculation, for acceleration,

velocity and displacement during SHM.

4.2 Energy changes during simple harmonic motion (SHM)

4.2.1

Describe the interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy during
SHM.

As an object performing SHM moves away from its mean position, the
stored PE increases and the KE decreases.

4.2.2

Apply the expressions

Ek = m2 (xo2-x2) for the kinetic energy of a particle undergoing SHM,
Ep = m2x2 for the potential energy, and
ET = m2xo2 for the total energy.

4.2.3

Solve problems, both graphically and by calculation, involving energy

changes during SHM.