Physik Abitur Lernzettel (english) / Physics exam preparation and summary –
Simple harmonic Motion, Springs, Pendulum, Circuits and their components,
Capacitors and The left-hand and right-hand grip rule
Table of Contents:
1. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
1.1 Key Terms & Definitions
1.2 Characteristics of SHM
1.3 Periodic vs. Oscillatory Motion
1.4 Factors affecting SHM
1.5 Calculations and Formulas
2. Springs
2.1 Properties of Springs
2.2 Mass, Force, Spring Constant
2.3 Hooke’s Law Calculations
3. Pendulums
3.1 Pendulum Motion Explained
3.2 Key Influencing Factors
3.3 Time Period & Frequency Equations
4. Electric Circuits
4.1 Circuit Symbols and Functions
4.2 Electrical Calculations: Charge, Current, Voltage, Resistance, Power, Energy
5. Capacitors
5.1 Structure & Working Principles
5.2 Capacitance & Dielectrics
5.3 Energy Storage and Equations
6. Magnetic Field Rules
6.1 Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
6.2 Right-Hand Grip Rule (x3)
7. SHM Questions & Concept Review
1
,1. Simple harmonic motion
1. Key words for Simple harmonic motion:
1. Pendulum= A weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely backward and forward.
2. Equilibrium= A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
3. Displacement= The overall movement of something from its place or position.
4. Amplitude= The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of
equilibrium.
5. Period= The time it takes for a single oscillation.
6. Frequency= The number of oscillations per second.
7. Bob= The mass at the bottom of the pendulum.
8. Acceleration= Something caused by a force.
9. Vibration= To move back and forth.
2. The properties of Simple harmonic motion:
Definition:
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a periodic motion in which an object always moves towards the
center point (equilibrium) due to a restoring force. The restoring force is directly proportional to the
displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite direction. Two simple
systems of SHM include an ideal spring and a simple pendulum.
Important terms:
Periodic motion: A periodic motion is a motion that repeats itself after a fixed interval of time. The
interval of time is called the time period of periodic motion. Example: (i) motion of planets around
the sun (ii) motion of the pendulum of a wall clock (iii) motion of the hands of a clock etc.
Oscillatory motion: Repeated back and forth movement along the same path around an equilibrium
position, such as a mass on a spring or pendulum.
Equilibrium: A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced. At equilibrium, restoring
force on the object is zero.
Restoring force: A force acting in the opposite direction to displacement to return the system to
equilibrium or its rest position. This force occurs in objects that perform simple harmonic motion,
such as an ideal spring and a simple pendulum.
Displacement: The distance traveled by an object from its initial (mean) position.
2
, The different types of motion:
1. Periodic motion:
Periodic motion is motion that repeats itself in equal intervals of time. For this, the time to complete
one oscillation or cycle remains constant and is called the period (T), which is measured in seconds.
The number of periods (cycles) per unit time is called the frequency (f) and is measured Hz. Here, the
relationship between frequency and period is expressed in the following equation: f = 1/T. Periodic
motion is carried out by a bouncing ball, the movement of planets orbiting the sun, and a water
wave.
Important characteristics of any periodic motion:
Amplitude (A / meters m): The maximum amount of displacement from equilibrium.
Period (T / seconds s): The time it takes for a single oscillation (cycle). Oscillation means to vibrate,
i.e. back and forth, but not move overall.
Frequency (f / Hz): The number of waves (cycles) that pass a fixed point in one second (measured in
Hz) (Hz (1000) kHz (1000) MHz (1000) GHz (1000) THz (1000).
2. Oscillatory motion:
Oscillatory motion refers repeated back and forth movement along the same path around a fixed
point, called the mean position or equilibrium. There is a restoring force that is directly proportional
to the displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite direction. It can
occur on a spring or a pendulum to which a mass is attached.
3. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM):
Simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion in which an object moves between two extreme points
about a fixed point, called the mean position or equilibrium. There will be a restoring force that is
directly proportional to the displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite
direction. This means the further the object moves from its equilibrium, the stronger the restoring
force pushes on the object and returns the system to its rest position.
3
Simple harmonic Motion, Springs, Pendulum, Circuits and their components,
Capacitors and The left-hand and right-hand grip rule
Table of Contents:
1. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
1.1 Key Terms & Definitions
1.2 Characteristics of SHM
1.3 Periodic vs. Oscillatory Motion
1.4 Factors affecting SHM
1.5 Calculations and Formulas
2. Springs
2.1 Properties of Springs
2.2 Mass, Force, Spring Constant
2.3 Hooke’s Law Calculations
3. Pendulums
3.1 Pendulum Motion Explained
3.2 Key Influencing Factors
3.3 Time Period & Frequency Equations
4. Electric Circuits
4.1 Circuit Symbols and Functions
4.2 Electrical Calculations: Charge, Current, Voltage, Resistance, Power, Energy
5. Capacitors
5.1 Structure & Working Principles
5.2 Capacitance & Dielectrics
5.3 Energy Storage and Equations
6. Magnetic Field Rules
6.1 Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
6.2 Right-Hand Grip Rule (x3)
7. SHM Questions & Concept Review
1
,1. Simple harmonic motion
1. Key words for Simple harmonic motion:
1. Pendulum= A weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely backward and forward.
2. Equilibrium= A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
3. Displacement= The overall movement of something from its place or position.
4. Amplitude= The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of
equilibrium.
5. Period= The time it takes for a single oscillation.
6. Frequency= The number of oscillations per second.
7. Bob= The mass at the bottom of the pendulum.
8. Acceleration= Something caused by a force.
9. Vibration= To move back and forth.
2. The properties of Simple harmonic motion:
Definition:
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a periodic motion in which an object always moves towards the
center point (equilibrium) due to a restoring force. The restoring force is directly proportional to the
displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite direction. Two simple
systems of SHM include an ideal spring and a simple pendulum.
Important terms:
Periodic motion: A periodic motion is a motion that repeats itself after a fixed interval of time. The
interval of time is called the time period of periodic motion. Example: (i) motion of planets around
the sun (ii) motion of the pendulum of a wall clock (iii) motion of the hands of a clock etc.
Oscillatory motion: Repeated back and forth movement along the same path around an equilibrium
position, such as a mass on a spring or pendulum.
Equilibrium: A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced. At equilibrium, restoring
force on the object is zero.
Restoring force: A force acting in the opposite direction to displacement to return the system to
equilibrium or its rest position. This force occurs in objects that perform simple harmonic motion,
such as an ideal spring and a simple pendulum.
Displacement: The distance traveled by an object from its initial (mean) position.
2
, The different types of motion:
1. Periodic motion:
Periodic motion is motion that repeats itself in equal intervals of time. For this, the time to complete
one oscillation or cycle remains constant and is called the period (T), which is measured in seconds.
The number of periods (cycles) per unit time is called the frequency (f) and is measured Hz. Here, the
relationship between frequency and period is expressed in the following equation: f = 1/T. Periodic
motion is carried out by a bouncing ball, the movement of planets orbiting the sun, and a water
wave.
Important characteristics of any periodic motion:
Amplitude (A / meters m): The maximum amount of displacement from equilibrium.
Period (T / seconds s): The time it takes for a single oscillation (cycle). Oscillation means to vibrate,
i.e. back and forth, but not move overall.
Frequency (f / Hz): The number of waves (cycles) that pass a fixed point in one second (measured in
Hz) (Hz (1000) kHz (1000) MHz (1000) GHz (1000) THz (1000).
2. Oscillatory motion:
Oscillatory motion refers repeated back and forth movement along the same path around a fixed
point, called the mean position or equilibrium. There is a restoring force that is directly proportional
to the displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite direction. It can
occur on a spring or a pendulum to which a mass is attached.
3. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM):
Simple harmonic motion is a periodic motion in which an object moves between two extreme points
about a fixed point, called the mean position or equilibrium. There will be a restoring force that is
directly proportional to the displacement of the body from its mean position and acts in the opposite
direction. This means the further the object moves from its equilibrium, the stronger the restoring
force pushes on the object and returns the system to its rest position.
3
