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GCSE Physics · key term
The undisturbed position about which a particle of a medium oscillates.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.1, 4.2 · Paper 1
Revise: Energy TransferFor example, moving one end of a stretched spring gives its first coil energy and displaces it from its equilibrium position. That coil interacts with the next coil, which interacts with the next, so the disturbance travels along the spring.
The undisturbed position about which a particle or object oscillates.
Do not say that the particles are stationary. They oscillate about their equilibrium positions while the disturbance travels onwards.
Do not say that particles are completely stationary. They oscillate about equilibrium positions while the disturbance travels onwards.
Measure amplitude from the equilibrium position to a crest or trough, not from trough to crest. The crest-to-trough height is twice the amplitude.
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Specification P5.1a, P5.1k · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
The undisturbed central position about which a quantity or particle vibrates.
Revise: Wave motion descriptionFor example, as a ripple crosses water, individual parts of the water move about their equilibrium positions rather than accompanying the ripple across the whole surface.
The position about which a particle of a medium oscillates when a wave passes.
Paper 1, Paper 2
The undisturbed or central position about which a particle oscillates.
Revise: Properties and Types of WavesParts of that medium oscillate about their equilibrium positions and pass the disturbance to neighbouring parts; they do not travel all the way from the source to the receiver.