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Oscillations and Waves
Quick questions on Damping and resonance explained: H2 Physics Oscillations and Waves
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are free oscillations?Show answer
A free oscillation occurs when a system is displaced and released, then oscillates at its own natural frequency with no further external force. With no damping, the amplitude and energy stay constant. The natural frequency depends only on the system's properties (mass and stiffness for a spring, length and for a pendulum).
What are damped oscillations?Show answer
Real oscillations lose energy to resistive forces (friction, air resistance), so the amplitude decreases over time. This is damping. The degree of damping is classified by how the system returns to equilibrium:
What are forced oscillations?Show answer
If an external periodic force drives a system, the system performs forced oscillations. After an initial transient, it oscillates at the driving frequency (not its own natural frequency), with an amplitude that depends on how close the driving frequency is to the natural frequency.
What is resonance?Show answer
Resonance occurs when the driving frequency equals (or is very close to) the system's natural frequency. At resonance:
What is q1?Show answer
State the condition for resonance to occur. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Describe the difference between critical damping and light damping in terms of how a displaced system returns to equilibrium. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain how increasing the damping of a system changes its resonance curve. [3 marks]
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