Simple Harmonic Motion Flashcards
When is an object moving with SHM?
When the object is oscillating to and fro, either side of a midpoint. E.g. A Pendulum
What is the distance from the midpoint to the object called?
Displacement.
What is the condition for SHM?
An oscillation in which the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to its displacement from the midpoint, and is directed towards the midpoint.
What pulls/pushes the object back towards the midpoint?
The restoring force.
What is the sum of the potential and kinetic energy called?
Mechanical energy (stays constant).
Describe the graph to show displacement.
Displacement, x, varies with time, t, as a cosine (or sine) wave with a maximum value, A, the amplitude.
Describe the graph to show velocity.
Velocity, v, is the gradient of the displacement-time graph. It is a quarter of a cycle in front of the displacement (phase difference of pi/2) and has a maximum value of wA.
Describe the graph to show acceleration.
Acceleration, a, is the gradient of the velocity-time graph. It has a maximum value of w^2A, and is in anti-phase with the displacement.
How does amplitude affect frequency and period?
It doesn’t, frequency and period are independent of the amplitude.
What is a cycle of oscillation?
From maximum positive displacement to maximum negative displacement and back again.
