A Level
A-Level Physics: SHM vs Circular Motion: Quick Connections
•By Intuitional Team•1 min read
A-Level Physics — SHM vs Circular Motion: Quick Connections: quick notes, common traps, and an exam-style example.
SHM basics
a ∝ –x. Displacement, velocity, acceleration all sinusoidal but phase shifted. Period T = 2π√(m/k) for spring, 2π√(l/g) for pendulum.
Circular motion link
SHM is projection of uniform circular motion. That’s why equations involve sine/cosine.
Exam habits
- Quote definition: acceleration proportional to –displacement.
- Be clear on phase relationships in graphs.
- Energy diagrams: PE and KE interchange but total constant.
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A-LevelPhysicsSHM vs Circular Motion