Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can define period, frequency and angular frequency, give their units, and convert between them. (Guide: “Period, frequency and angular frequency”)
- I can explain why the period of a spring oscillator depends on m and k but not on g or the amplitude. (Guide: “The object–spring oscillator”; Practice Q3)
- I can explain why the mass cancels for a simple pendulum, and why its formula needs small angles in radians. (Guide: “The simple pendulum”; Practice Q5(c) and (d))
Calculation
- I can read ω from an equation of motion of the form d²x/dt² = −ω²x and find T and f. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q1)
- I can use effective spring constants for springs in series and in parallel to find a period. (Practice Q2 and Q4)
- I can derive T = 2π√(ℓ/g) for a simple pendulum from Newton’s second law, by torque or along the arc. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q5)
- I can use T = 2π√(d/g) to link a vertical spring’s static stretch to its period. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q7)
- I can find g from a pendulum’s length and period. (Practice Q7(a))
Reasoning
- I can predict factors of change in T and f when m, k, ℓ or g change, including square roots. (Guide: “Factors of change”; Practice Q4(c))
- I can choose what to plot to turn period data into a straight line, and find k or g from the slope. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6)
- I can explain what a non-zero intercept on a T²–m graph means, and why the slope is still reliable. (Guide: Figure 2)
- I can plan a period measurement that reduces timing error. (Guide: “Measuring a period well”)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 7.3, Representing and Analyzing SHM, or return to the course roadmap.