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7.1 What is Simple Harmonic Motion?

Part of Oscillations in AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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Periodic Motion

In physics, periodic motion refers to any motion that repeats itself at regular intervals of time. In this type of motion, an object moves in a predictable, cyclic pattern, returning to a particular position or state after a fixed period. Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is simply a special case of periodic motion.

MCQ Reading Checkpoint

Which is not a form of periodic motion? Assume every system works perfectly and doesn’t lose energy.

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In this unit

4 lessons

  1. 7.1What is Simple Harmonic Motion?This lesson
  2. 7.2Period in SHMPreview lesson
  3. 7.3Displacement in SHMPreview lesson
  4. 7.4Energy in SHMPreview lesson

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