Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
KINEMATICS
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KINEMATICS
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Subject: Physics
Class: SHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: 3.1.2.LI.3
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.1.2.LI.3
Theme: MECHANICS AND MATTER
Subtheme: KINEMATICS
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This lesson introduces Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), a special and very common type of periodic motion. We see it all around us in Ghana: a child swinging at the park, the gentle sway of a pendulum in a grandfather clock, and even the vibration of a phone. Understanding SHM helps us understand how waves, sound, and many mechanical systems work. We will focus on the continuous exchange between potential and kinetic energy in an object undergoing SHM and learn a practical, hands-on method to measure the acceleration due to gravity, `g`, right here in our classroom using a simple pendulum.
A. What is Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)?
First, let's understand Oscillatory Motion. This is any motion that repeats itself back and forth over the same path. A child on a swing is oscillating.
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a very specific type of oscillation that must satisfy two conditions: The acceleration of the object is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed point (the equilibrium position). The acceleration is always directed towards that equilibrium position.
The equilibrium position is the point of rest, where the net force is zero. For a pendulum, it's the lowest point where it hangs still.