Properties of Periodic Motion

The Periodic Motion Video Tutorial explains what is meant when saying that an object is undergoing periodic motion. The meaning of period, amplitude and frequency are described. Numerous representations are used to convey a conceptual understanding of an object that vibrates about a fixed position in a regular and repeated fashion.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What traits characterize an object that undergoes periodic motion?
How do the quantities period, frequency and amplitude describe an object undergoing periodic motion?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Vibrating Mass on a Spring
This interactive simulation allows you to explore the back-and-forth motion of a mass on a spring. Change the mass, the nature of the spring, and the amount of damping and observe the result. A few minutes with this sim will spring you forward in your understanding of vibrational motion.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 0 - Properties of Periodic Motion
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. This particular page addresses the same topics covered in the video. As such, it makes a great reference for a quick check-up or clarification of an idea.

The Calculator Pad: Vibrations and Waves: Problem Set WM1
The Calculator Pad features practice problems with immediate feedback and links to audio help and tutorial pages. In Problem Set WM1, you must use information about an object undergoing periodic motion in order to determine the frequency and/or the period of vibration. Great practice!

Teacher Resources

Concept Builders: Vibrational Motion
We have a growing collection of Concept Builders in our Vibrational Motion chapter. While most pertain specifically to pendulum motion and the motion of a mass on a spring, you should be aware that they're their for coverage that is related to this video. It's good stuff. Check them out. Use them now or use them later.

Curriculum Corner : Wave Motion
We will admit ... it's a bit early for Waves. But if that's a topic that is coming up after vibrational motion, then you might wish to inspect what we have now in our Curriculum Corner section. This is free curriculum for the taking. And for a few extra bucks, you can obtain the source documents and purchase a license to place them and any deriviative from them on your course management pages.

Science Reasoning Center: Vibrations and Waves
Our Science Reasoning Center is the perfect place to find that activity that upgrades the level of critical thinking, data analysis, model-building, and careful reading. This is where Process is king and content is just the medium. Get students thinking and reasoning at the Science Reasoning Center. We have some activities on pendulum motion and vibrating masses on springs.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 0 - Properties of Periodic Motion
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. Students find them to be easy reading and teachers often place links to the pages on their course pages. Support your students with a link.

The Calculator Pad: Vibrations and Waves: Problem Set WM1
The Calculator Pad features practice problems with immediate feedback and links to audio help and tutorial pages. In Problem Set WM1, students use information about an object undergoing periodic motion in order to determine the frequency and/or the period of vibration. Great practice for this stage of the learning cycle!

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.