Representing Electric Fields The direction of electric fields is represented by electric field lines Electric field lines are directed from positive to negative Therefore, the field lines must be p...
Electric Field Definition An electric field is a region of space in which an electric charge “feels” a force Electric field strength at a point is defined as: The electrostatic force per unit posit...
Resonance In order to sustain oscillations in a simple harmonic system, a periodic force must be applied to replace the energy lost in damping This periodic force does work on the resistive force d...
Damping In practice, all oscillators eventually stop oscillating Their amplitudes decrease rapidly, or gradually This happens due to resistive forces, such friction or air resistance, which act in ...
Kinetic & Potential Energies During simple harmonic motion, energy is constantly exchanged between two forms: kinetic and potential The potential energy could be in the form of: Gravitational p...
SHM Graphs The displacement, velocity and acceleration of an object in simple harmonic motion can be represented by graphs against time All undamped SHM graphs are represented by periodic functions...
Calculating Speed of an Oscillator The speed of an object in simple harmonic motion varies as it oscillates back and forth Its speed is the magnitude of its velocity The greatest speed of an oscill...
Acceleration & Displacement of an Oscillator The acceleration of an object oscillating in simple harmonic motion is: a = −⍵2x Where: a = acceleration (m s-2) ⍵ = angular frequency (rad s-1) x =...
Conditions for Simple Harmonic Motion Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a specific type of oscillation SHM is defined as: A type of oscillation in which the acceleration of a body is proportional to ...
Describing Oscillations An oscillation is defined as: Repeated back and forth movements on either side of any equilibrium position When the object stops oscillating, it returns to its equilibrium p...
The First Law of Thermodynamics The first law of thermodynamics is based on the principle of conservation of energy When energy is put into a gas by heating it or doing work on it, its internal ene...
Work Done by a Gas When a gas expands, it does work on its surroundings by exerting pressure on the walls of the container it's in This is important, for example, in a steam engine where expanding ...
