C17: Oscillations

• Displacement, $x$/m : the distance from the equilibrium position.
• Amplitude, $A$/m : the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.
• Period, T/s : the time taken to complete one full oscillation.
• Frequency, f/Hz : the number of complete oscillations per unit time
• Angular velocity, $w$: the rate of change of angle for an object moving in a circular path.
• Angular frequency, w/Hz : A quantity used in oscillatory motion — equal to the product of frequency f and 2$\pi$
• Phase difference: the difference in displacement between two oscillating objects or the displacement of an oscillating object at different times. (measured in radiance)
• Simple harmonic motion: oscillating motion for which the acceleration of the object is directly proportional to its displacement and is directed towards some fixed point

  $a =$$- w^2 x$
• The period of a simple harmonic oscillator is independent of its amplitude (isochronous oscillator).