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AP Physics 1- 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM- Study Notes- New Syllabus

AP Physics 1-7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM – Study Notes

AP Physics 1-7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM – Study Notes -AP Physics 1 – per latest Syllabus.

Key Concepts:

  • Frequency and Period of SHM

AP Physics 1-Concise Summary Notes- All Topics

Frequency and Period of SHM

  • Time Period (T): The time taken by an object to complete one full oscillation is called the time period.
  • Frequency (f): The number of complete oscillations made by the object in one second is called the frequency.

Relationship between Frequency and Time Period:

\( f = \dfrac{1}{T} \quad \text{or} \quad T = \dfrac{1}{f} \)

SHM Specific Formulas:

For a mass-spring system:

\( T = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{m}{k}} \), \( f = \dfrac{1}{2 \pi} \sqrt{\dfrac{k}{m}} \)

For a simple pendulum (small angles):

\( T = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{L}{g}} \), \( f = \dfrac{1}{2 \pi} \sqrt{\dfrac{g}{L}} \)

Key Points:

  • Time period and frequency are independent of amplitude for ideal SHM.
  • Time period depends on the mass and spring constant for a spring system, and length and gravity for a pendulum.
  • Frequency is the reciprocal of time period and indicates how fast the oscillations occur.

Example:

A 0.25 kg mass is attached to a spring with force constant \( k = 100 \, \text{N/m} \). Find the frequency and time period of oscillation.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Time period: \( T = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{m}{k}} = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{0.25}{100}} \approx 0.314 \, \text{s} \)

Frequency: \( f = \dfrac{1}{T} \approx \dfrac{1}{0.314} \approx 3.18 \, \text{Hz} \)

Answer: \( T \approx 0.314 \, \text{s}, \ f \approx 3.18 \, \text{Hz} \)

Example :

A simple pendulum of length \( L = 0.8 \, \text{m} \) is oscillating near the Earth’s surface. Find its time period and frequency. (Take \( g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \))

▶️Answer/Explanation

Time period: \( T = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{L}{g}} = 2 \pi \sqrt{\dfrac{0.8}{9.8}} \approx 1.79 \, \text{s} \)

Frequency: \( f = \dfrac{1}{T} \approx \dfrac{1}{1.79} \approx 0.56 \, \text{Hz} \)

Answer: \( T \approx 1.79 \, \text{s}, \ f \approx 0.56 \, \text{Hz} \)

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