Oscillations

About this lab: Oscillations

Simple harmonic motion as the shadow of a reference circle with displacement, velocity and acceleration traces and the a = −ω²x line, energy sloshing between kinetic and potential with the two parabolas adding to E = ½mω²x₀², a damped oscillator in a fluid with light, critical and heavy damping and its decay envelope, a driven oscillator on a vibrating support swept through resonance with response curves for several dampings and the amplitude building up live, and the simple pendulum and mass-spring system timed with a stopwatch against their formulas, including the large-angle departure from SHM.

Simple harmonic motion with its reference circle, energy sloshing between kinetic and potential, damping and resonance on a driven oscillator, and the pendulum and mass-spring systems timed against their formulas

Oscillations is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 (topic 17 Oscillations). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured), Paper 3 (advanced practical), Paper 4 (A Level structured) and Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation). There are 4 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 17.1 Simple harmonic oscillations: Displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, ω, phase; The defining condition: a = −ω²x; Solutions: x = x₀ sin ωt; Velocity equations: v = v₀ cos ωt and v = ±ω√(x₀² − x²); Graphical representations of x, v, and a. Lessons: Simple harmonic motion.
• 17.2 Energy in simple harmonic motion: KE-PE interchange in oscillating systems; Total energy: E = ½mω²x₀². Lessons: Energy in simple harmonic motion.
• 17.3 Damped and forced oscillations, resonance: Damping by resistive forces; Light, critical, and heavy damping (graphs); Resonance at the natural frequency. Lessons: Damping and resonance.

Full syllabus map: A Level Physics 9702 topic 17.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Simple harmonic motion.
2. 2. Energy in SHM.
3. 3. Damping and resonance.
4. 4. Pendulum and spring.
5. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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