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Edexcel ·Physics·Cambridge AS & A Level Physics

Oscillations (Simple Harmonic Motion)

15 min read

Simple harmonic motion, the defining equation, displacement-velocity-acceleration relationships, energy in SHM, and damping and resonance.

Simple harmonic motion

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) occurs when the acceleration of a body is proportional to its displacement from a fixed point and always directed towards that point:

a=−ω2xa = -\omega^2 xa=−ω2x

where ω=2πf\omega = 2\pi fω=2πf is the angular frequency. The minus sign shows the acceleration (restoring force) opposes the displacement.

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