Consider a swinging child in a park- this is a simple activity that is a good example of oscillatory motion. Such repetitive motions in everyday life and scientific uses are discussed in Class 11 Physics Chapter 13: Oscillations. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is mostly based on the chapter, in which the restoring force is proportional to the displacement, and its direction is opposite. SHM is a fundamental idea that is represented in pendulums, musical instruments, vibrations of molecular entities and electrical circuits. The chapter is essential to learn the wave motion, sound, and alternating current (AC) and is extremely pertinent to the CBSE board examination, JEE, NEET, and also the other competitive assessments, as it builds a solid mathematical and conceptual insight into periodic systems.
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The NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Oscillations include the fundamental topics and concepts like periodic, oscillatory, and simple harmonic motion, derivation and application of principal equations of SHM to the displacement, velocity, and acceleration, as well as key concepts such as phase and amplitude, frequency and time period. These NCERT notes also contain a discussion of the mass-spring systems and simple pendulums and energy analysis in SHM, in which the relationship between kinetic and potential energy is emphasised. Detailed diagrams, graphs, solved numericals, and practice questions can be of help to students and hence make it easier to revise effectively. These NCERT Notes for Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Oscillations would be a broad guideline to understand the concept of oscillations well, solve numerical problems skillfully, and prepare effectively to write CBSE examinations, JEE, and NEET.
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These NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Notes would help the students have a proper and clear method to revise the concept of oscillations and other concepts. The PDF contains the most important formulas, solved problems, illustrations, and questions to be studied in order to prepare for exams and learn quickly. These notes can enable the students to reinforce their knowledge, revise effectively, and improve problem-solving capabilities to pass the CBSE board exam, the JEE, and the NEET.
The NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Notes provide a clear and easy-to-follow summary of oscillations, breaking down complex ideas into simple explanations. With diagrams, solved examples, and essential formulas, these notes help students grasp concepts quickly and revise effectively. Perfect for board exam preparation and competitive exams like JEE and NEET, they make studying more efficient and organised.
Harmonic Oscillation: The oscillation that is expressed in terms of a single harmonic function, which is a sine or cosine function, is a harmonic oscillation.
Simple Harmonic Motion: A Simple harmonic motion is such that it will move in accordance with to and fro along a straight line. Under restoring force magnitude is directly proportional to that of the displacement.

An SHM can be expressed in the following manner:
y = a sin ωt
or
y = a cos ωt
a = amplitude of oscillation.
Non-harmonic Oscillation
A non-harmonic oscillation is the combination of at least two harmonic oscillations.
Non-harmonic Oscillation is expressed as:
y = a sin ωt + b sin 2ωt
The following are the important terms related to Simple harmonic Motion-
Time Period: The Time taken by a body to complete one whole oscillation is known as the time period. It is symbolised by T.
Frequency: The number of oscillations completed by the body in one second is the frequency. It is symbolised by v.
SI unit = ‘Hertz’ or ‘second-1
Frequency = 1 / Time period
Angular Frequency: The product of frequency and the factor 2π is called angular frequency. It is symbolised by ω.
Angular frequency (ω) = 2πv
SI unit = ‘Hertz’ or ‘second-1.
Displacement: A physical quantity which changes uniformly with respect to time in a periodic motion is displacement. It is symbolised by y.
Amplitude: The maximum displacement in any direction with respect to the mean position is called amplitude. It is symbolised by a.
Phase: A physical quantity which shows the position and direction of motion of an oscillating particle is known as a phase. It is symbolised by φ.
Some Important Formulae of SHM
Displacement in SHM at any instant is shown as:
y = a sin ωt
or
y = a cos ωt , where a = amplitude and ω = angular frequency.
Velocity of a particle undergoing SHM at any instant is expressed as :
v = ω √(a2 – y2)
When at mean position, y = 0 and v = maximum
vmax = aω
When at an extreme position, y = a and v=0.
The acceleration of a particle undergoing SHM at any instant is shown by
A or a = – ω2 y
The acceleration is towards the mean position, and so the negative sign signifies the opposite of an increase in displacement
At the mean position, y = 0 and acceleration = 0.
At the extreme position, y = a and acceleration = maximum
Amax = – aω2
Time period in SHM is shown by T = 2π √Displacement / Acceleration

(i) Instantaneous displacement and Instantaneous velocity = (π / 2)
(ii) Instantaneous velocity and Instantaneous acceleration = (π / 2)
(iii) Instantaneous acceleration and Instantaneous displacement = π
The graph of velocity versus displacement for a particle executing SHM is elliptical.
F = – mω2 x = -kx
Where, ω = √k / m and k = mω2 and ‘k’ constant and sometimes it is called the elastic constant.
E = K + U = [m2 ω2(A2 – x2) + mω2x2]/2= mω2A2/2
where A = amplitude
m = mass of particle executing SHM.
ω = angular frequency and
v = frequency

T = 2π √(l / g)

where l = effective length of pendulum and g = acceleration due to gravity.
The restoring force acts on the spring under the condition that the spring is stretched or compressed through a small distance y.
Restoring force (F) = – ky; Here k = force constant of spring.
In equilibrium, mass m is suspended from a spring system.
mg = kl
This expression is also used for Hooke's law.
The time period of a loaded spring is expressed in terms as follows:
T = 2π √m / k

Let the two springs of force constants k1 and k2.
These two constants are connected in parallel to mass m.
k = k1 + k2
(ii) Time period
T = 2π √m / (k1 + k2)
These two constants are connected in series to mass m.
(i) The effective force constant will therefore be,
1 / k = 1 / k1 + 1 / k2
(ii) Time period is expressed as follows: T = 2π √m(k1 + k2) / k1k2

The Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Oscillations Previous Year Questions and Answers provide students with a comprehensive look at commonly asked problems in past exams. These solved questions help understand exam patterns, practice effectively, and strengthen problem-solving skills. Ideal for board exam preparation and competitive exams like JEE and NEET, they allow quick revision of key concepts and formulas.
Q1: The displacement of a particle is represented by the equation $y=\sin ^3 \omega t$. The motion is:
(a) non-periodic
(b) periodic but not simple harmonic
(c) simple harmonic with period $\frac{2 \pi}{\omega}$
(d) simple harmonic with period $\frac{\pi}{\omega}$
Answer:
Periodic Motion:
- A motion is periodic if it repeats itself after a fixed interval of time. The function $\sin ^3(\omega t)$ is derived from $\sin (\omega t)$, which is periodic with a period $T=\frac{2 \pi}{\omega}$. Since $\sin ^3(\omega t)$ repeats itself every $T$, the motion is periodic.
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM):
- A motion is simple harmonic if it can be expressed as $y(t)=A \sin (\omega t+\phi)$, where:
- $A$ is the amplitude.
- $\omega$ is the angular frequency.
- $\phi$ is the phase constant.
- The function $\sin ^3(\omega t)$ is not a pure sine wave. Instead, it involves higher harmonics and can be expanded using trigonometric identities.
So the motion is periodic but not simple harmonic. Hence, the answer is the option (b).
Q2: A particle is acted simultaneously by mutually perpendicular simple harmonic motion $x=a \cos \omega t ,$ and $ y=a \sin \omega t$. The trajectory of motion of the particle will be:
(a) an ellipse
(b) a parabola
(c) a circle
(d) a straight line
Answer:
Resultant displacement $=x+y =a \cos \omega t+a \sin \omega t$
Thus,
$\begin{aligned}
y^{\prime}&=a(\cos \omega t+a \sin \omega t)\\
&= a \sqrt{2}\left[\frac{\cos \omega t}{\sqrt{2}}+\frac{\sin \omega t}{\sqrt{2}}\right] \\
& =a \sqrt{2}\left[\cos \omega t \cos 45^{\circ}+\sin \omega t \sin 45^{\circ}\right]
\end{aligned}$
(particle is acted simultaneously by mutually perpendicular directions)
$y^{\prime}=a \sqrt{2} \cos s\left(\omega t-45^{\circ}\right)$.
Thus, the displacement can neither be a straight line nor a parabola
Now, let us square and add $x$ \& $y$,
$x^2+y^2=a^2 \cos ^2 \omega t+a^2 \sin ^2 \omega t$
Thus, $x^2+y^2=a^2$
This represents a circle.
Q3: A particle executing S.H.M. has a maximum speed of $30 \frac{\mathrm{~cm}}{\mathrm{~s}}$ and a maximum acceleration of $60 \frac{\mathrm{~cm}}{\mathrm{~s}^2}$. The period of oscillation is
Answer:
Thus, $y=a \sin \omega t$
$\begin{aligned}
v&=\frac{d y}{d t} \\
&=a \omega \cos \omega t \quad\ldots(i)\\
a&=\frac{d v}{d t} \\
&=-a \omega^2 \sin \omega t \quad\ldots(ii)\\
V_{\text {max }}&=30 \frac{\mathrm{~cm}}{\mathrm{~s}}
\end{aligned}$
From (i),
$V_{\max }=a \omega$
Thus, $a \omega=30 \quad\ldots(iii)$
From (ii),
Now, $a_{\max }=a \omega^2=60 \quad\ldots(iv)$
Thus, $60=\omega \times 30$
Therefore, $\omega=2 \frac{\mathrm{rad}}{\mathrm{s}}$
Now, $\frac{2 \pi}{T}=2$
Thus, $T=\pi$.
Class 11 Physics Chapter 13 Oscillations is the basic chapter that provides an insight into periodic and repetitive motions in both nature and technology. Learning from this chapter enables students to have a strong background in wave motion, sound, and AC circuits. It is essential for board exams and competitive exams such as JEE and NEET, and improves conceptual understanding and problem-solving.
The chapter-by-chapter notes of NCERT Class 11 Physics are well edited and designed so that students can revisit each subject in the most effective manner. Such notes comprise formulas, significant concepts, solved problems, and practice questions, and learning is fast and efficient. They are aimed at making complicated subjects easy to understand and will help in the preparation for CBSE board exams and some of the competitive exams, such as JEE and NEET. These structured chapter-by-chapter notes will enable the students to reinforce their basics and enhance their ability to solve problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Vibrations can be found within clocks (pendulums), musical instruments (vibrating strings) and building design (earthquake resistance), as well as in heartbeats (pulse rhythm).
SHM is a kind of oscillating motion in which the restoring force is proportional to displacement and in the opposite direction.
To learn how kinetic energy and potential energy transform with each other as mechanical energy (the sum of the two) preserves its magnitude (under perfect conditions).
Oscillatory motions are periodic, however, just because a motion is periodic does not mean it is an oscillation. Oscillatory motion is the particular movement around a mean location.
Yes, the chapter of Oscillations is an important part of both JEE and NEET because it forms the basis of wave motions and contains problems of both numerical and conceptual nature that are common in these
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