Numbers
CCEA A-Level Physics 1210
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
Moments and Equilibrium
Linear Motion and Dynamics
Newton's Laws of Motion
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Work, Energy and Power
Current, Charge and Potential Difference
Resistance and Resistivity
Topic overviewResistance and Ohm's lawOhmic and non-ohmic behaviourResistors in series and in parallelInvestigating current, voltage and resistance in series and parallel circuitsElectrical power and energy in resistive circuitsResistivity and the equation R = ρl/AMeasuring the resistivity of a metalCurrent–voltage characteristics of a conductor, a lamp and a diodeResistance, temperature and superconductivity
Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers
Topic overviewInternal resistance and terminal potential differenceConsequences of internal resistance for external circuitsMeasuring electromotive force and internal resistanceThe potential divider and variable outputPotential dividers in lighting and heating control circuitsLoaded potential dividers and output voltage calculations
Waves
Refraction
Lenses
Superposition, Interference and Diffraction
Topic overviewSuperposition of wavesStanding waves, nodes and antinodesStanding waves on stretched stringsStanding waves in a pipe closed at one endMeasuring the speed of sound with a resonance tubeConditions for observable interferencePath difference and phase differenceYoung's double slitDiffraction at a single slitThe diffraction grating
Quantum Physics
Wave-Particle Duality
Astronomy
Practical Skills and Data Analysis
Topic overviewChoosing and using measuring instrumentsPrecision, accuracy and recording measurementsUsing the cathode ray oscilloscope to measure voltage and frequencyTables, graphs and presenting resultsLinearising a relationship and using the gradientAbsolute and percentage uncertaintyCombining uncertainties and uncertainty on a graphRandom and systematic error, reliability and refining an experiment
Deformation of Solids
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewBoyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawThe ideal gas equation pV = nRTThe Avogadro constant, the mole and pV = NkTInternal energy and the distribution of molecular energyThe kinetic theory equation pV = ⅓Nm⟨c²⟩Average molecular kinetic energy and temperatureAbsolute zero and the kelvin scaleSpecific heat capacity and the electrical method
Uniform Circular Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Topic overviewDefining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²xDisplacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωtThe simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g)The loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k)SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradientFree vibrations, forced vibrations and resonanceDamping: light, critical and over-damping
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Topic overviewAlpha-particle scattering and the nuclear atomNuclear radius and nucleon numberThe density of nuclear matterAlpha, beta and gamma radiation: nature, penetration and rangeNuclear equations and changes in nucleon and proton numberThe random and exponential nature of radioactive decayActivity, the decay constant and A = −λNExponential decay calculations with A = A₀e^(−λt)Half-life and measuring it
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Gravitational Fields
Electric Fields
Capacitors
Magnetic Fields
Charged Particles and Accelerators
Simple Harmonic Motion
- 7 subtopics
- 21 things to know
- Unit A2 1
What Simple Harmonic Motion covers
Simple Harmonic Motion is examined in Unit A2 1, Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and drawn on again in Unit A2 3. It covers defining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²x, displacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωt, the simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g), the loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k), SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradient, free vibrations, forced vibrations and resonance and damping: light, critical and over-damping.
Where it is assessed
Unit A2 1
Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and again in Unit A2 3.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 7 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Defining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²xSimple harmonic motion, significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x and equation relating angular frequency to frequency and define every symbol.Open →
- Displacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωtRecall questions on the displacement equation and the timing convention it assumes, the corresponding velocity and acceleration expressions, where in the cycle each is greatest and where zero, the maximum speed Aω and the maximum acceleration Aω², and worked calculations at a stated time.Open →
- The simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g)Recall questions on the period equation with every symbol, what a simple pendulum is, why the period does not depend on the mass of the bob, the small-angle condition for the motion to be simple harmonic, worked period and length calculations, and using the pendulum to determine the acceleration of free fall.Open →
- The loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k)Recall questions on the period equation with every symbol, why a mass on a spring performs simple harmonic motion, the effect of quadrupling the mass and of using a stiffer spring, worked period and spring-constant calculations, and what is plotted to determine the spring constant from a set of periods.Open →
- SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradientRecall questions on the shapes of the displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs and their quarter-cycle phase relationships, obtaining the velocity as the gradient of the displacement–time graph and the acceleration as the gradient of the velocity–time graph, and where on each graph the gradient is greatest and where zero.Open →
- Free vibrations, forced vibrations and resonanceFree vibration, natural frequency of a system and forced vibration.Open →
- Damping: light, critical and over-dampingLight damping, critical damping and over-damping in everyday equipment.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
State the equation for displacement in simple harmonic motion in the form used when timing begins at maximum displacement, and define every symbol.
Key term
Give an example of resonance that engineers must design against in a bridge.
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Why does the period of a simple pendulum not depend on the mass of the bob?
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State the equation for the period of a mass oscillating on a spiral spring and define every symbol.
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How is the velocity of an oscillating body found from its displacement–time graph?
Key term
What is meant by damping?
Key term
State the defining equation of simple harmonic motion and define every symbol.
Key term
Write the expression for the velocity of a body whose displacement is given by x = A cos ωt.
Numbers
Calculate the period of a simple pendulum of length 0.90 m, taking g as 9.81 m s⁻².
Key term
Why does a mass on a spiral spring oscillate with simple harmonic motion?
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What does the gradient of a velocity–time graph of an oscillating body give?
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What is meant by the natural frequency of a system?
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What happens to the total energy of a damped oscillator, and where does it go?
Key term
What is the significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x?
Key term
Write the expression for the acceleration of a body whose displacement is given by x = A cos ωt.
Key term
What happens to the period of a simple pendulum if its length is quadrupled?
Key term
How does the period of a loaded spring change if the mass hung on it is quadrupled?
Key term
Where on a displacement–time graph of simple harmonic motion is the gradient steepest, and what does that tell you about the motion?
Key term
Give a mechanical example of resonance involving a child on a swing.
Key term
Describe light damping.
Take Simple Harmonic Motion further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Light damping vs Critical damping
Light damping: the system oscillates many times with slowly shrinking amplitude. Critical damping: it does not complete even one oscillation.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define simple harmonic motion.
Model answer
Simple harmonic motion is motion in which the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed equilibrium position and is always directed towards that position.
- 2
State the defining equation of simple harmonic motion and define every symbol.
Model answer
a = −ω²x, where a is the acceleration in m s⁻², ω the angular frequency in rad s⁻¹ and x the displacement from the equilibrium position in metres.
- 3
What is the significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x?
Model answer
The minus sign shows that the acceleration is always in the opposite direction to the displacement, so the body is always accelerated back towards the equilibrium position.
- 4
State the equation relating angular frequency to frequency and define every symbol.
Model answer
ω = 2πf, where ω is the angular frequency in rad s⁻¹ and f the frequency of the oscillation in hertz.
- 5
How is the angular frequency of an oscillation related to its period?
Model answer
ω = 2π/T, where T is the period of the oscillation in seconds, so the angular frequency is the number of radians of phase completed each second.
- 6
Define the amplitude of an oscillation.
Model answer
The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the oscillating body from its equilibrium position, measured in metres.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Simple Harmonic Motion revision questions
- What does Simple Harmonic Motion cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 7 subtopics: defining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²x, displacement, velocity and acceleration: x = a cos ωt, the simple pendulum and t = 2π√(l/g), the loaded spiral spring and t = 2π√(m/k), shm graphs and finding velocity from a gradient, free vibrations, forced vibrations and resonance and damping: light, critical and over-damping. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Simple Harmonic Motion organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Simple Harmonic Motion, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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