Oscillations
Find these readings by topic
This earlier reading list remains available with its complete tasks. The current book places these resources in the following topic chapters:
- Oscillations →
Explain restoring-force motion, connect its graphs and energy, and use measurements to test an oscillator model.
Explain equilibrium, restoring forces, energy exchange, and the periods of oscillators.
Use the sections below to build the models in this unit. The AP course lessons provide topic-specific instruction and practice; companion readings offer additional explanations and original interactive quizzes.
- Simple Harmonic Motion: The Force That Brings You Back ↗
Find equilibrium, identify a restoring force, and see when a spring or pendulum actually counts as SHM.
- Period and Frequency: What Sets the Pace? ↗
Use spring and pendulum models, factor comparisons, and a timed experiment to explain the pace of SHM.
- Reading SHM: Position, Velocity, and Acceleration ↗
Connect sinusoidal motion to slopes, signs, turning points, and changing amplitude.
- Oscillator Energy: Where Did the Speed Go? ↗
Track kinetic and potential energy, including the often-missed vertical spring and gravity system.
Put the unit together
The unit practice ends with 2 additional problems. Build the diagrams and explain the model before checking the separate reasoning and scoring criteria.
Try the added unit problems → · Worked solutions and rubrics →