Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Linking Circular Motion To Simple Harmonic Motion: A Deep Dive

Word Count Emoji
660 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

The concept 🎡

When you project a circular motion in a horizontal plane onto a vertical plane, it's like seeing a simple harmonic motion in action. Imagine a hula hoop spinning horizontally and its shadow cast on a wall. That shadow moves like a simple harmonic motion!

Real-world example 🚗

Think of a car going round a roundabout. If we take a birds-eye view (from top), we'd see circular motion. But if there's a light above casting a shadow on a wall, the car's shadow would move back and forth like a pendulum!

Key terms 📐

  • θ: Phase angle, the angle between arrow and x-axis.
  • ω: Angular speed, how fast something rotates.
  • r: Radius of circle.

Key equations 📝

  • x  = rcosθ = & ⁡y = r sin θ
  • x =x0​cosωt - Begins at extremes
  • x =x0​sinωt - Begins in centre
  • v = ωx0​cosωt - Velocity
  • a = − ω2x - Acceleration

Graphs 🌊

  • Displacement-time graph: Looks like a wave (sine curve).
  • Velocity-time graph: Still wavy but a different pattern (cosine curve).
  • Acceleration-time graph: Wave turned upside down (negative sine curve).

🧐 Did you know? If you slide down a velocity-time graph's slope, you'll get acceleration. Slide down the displacement-time graph's slope? Boom, you've got velocity.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Linking Circular Motion To Simple Harmonic Motion: A Deep Dive

Word Count Emoji
660 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

The concept 🎡

When you project a circular motion in a horizontal plane onto a vertical plane, it's like seeing a simple harmonic motion in action. Imagine a hula hoop spinning horizontally and its shadow cast on a wall. That shadow moves like a simple harmonic motion!

Real-world example 🚗

Think of a car going round a roundabout. If we take a birds-eye view (from top), we'd see circular motion. But if there's a light above casting a shadow on a wall, the car's shadow would move back and forth like a pendulum!

Key terms 📐

  • θ: Phase angle, the angle between arrow and x-axis.
  • ω: Angular speed, how fast something rotates.
  • r: Radius of circle.

Key equations 📝

  • x  = rcosθ = & ⁡y = r sin θ
  • x =x0​cosωt - Begins at extremes
  • x =x0​sinωt - Begins in centre
  • v = ωx0​cosωt - Velocity
  • a = − ω2x - Acceleration

Graphs 🌊

  • Displacement-time graph: Looks like a wave (sine curve).
  • Velocity-time graph: Still wavy but a different pattern (cosine curve).
  • Acceleration-time graph: Wave turned upside down (negative sine curve).

🧐 Did you know? If you slide down a velocity-time graph's slope, you'll get acceleration. Slide down the displacement-time graph's slope? Boom, you've got velocity.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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