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GCE A-Level Physics Syllabus

Chapter 10: Oscillations

Chapter Topics:

Types of Motion
Simple harmonic motion
Energy in simple harmonic motion
Damped and forced oscillations
Resonance

Question Bank:

Learning Objectives:

(a) Describe simple examples of free oscillations.

(b) Investigate the motion of an oscillator using experimental and graphical methods.

(c) Show an understanding of and use the terms amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference and express the period in terms of both frequency and angular frequency.

(d) Recall and use the equation a = –ω^2x as the defining equation of simple harmonic motion.

(e) Recognize and use x = x₀ sin ωt as a solution to the equation a = –ω²x.

(f) Recognize and use the equations v = v₀cos ωt and v = ± ω √(x₀² - x²).

(g) Describe, with graphical illustrations, the changes in displacement, velocity and acceleration during simple harmonic motion.

(h) Describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion.

(i) Describe practical examples of damped oscillations with particular reference to the effects of the degree of damping and to the importance of critical damping in applications such as a car suspension system.

(j) Describe practical examples of forced oscillations and resonance.

(k) Describe graphically how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes with driving frequency near to the natural frequency of the system, and understand qualitatively the factors which determine the frequency response and sharpness of the resonance.

(l) Show an appreciation that there are some circumstances in which resonance is useful, and other circumstances in which resonance should be avoided.

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