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Syllabus

Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 11 · Physics

What Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations covers in ICSE Class 11 Physics: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the ICSE Class 11 Physics syllabus.

65 questions30 flashcards8 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 11 Physics · 2026-27

Topics in Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations

1

1. Free, Natural, and Damped Oscillations

  • A body displaced from equilibrium and left free oscillates with its natural frequency due to restoring force.
  • Natural frequency depends on intrinsic properties such as size, elasticity, length, density, and tension, depending on the system.
  • Examples of natural frequency include a bob on a thread, tuning fork prongs, sonometer wire, bridges, buildings, ships, and machine parts.
2

2. Forced Oscillations

  • When an external periodic force acts on a body, the body may first try to oscillate with its own natural frequency.
  • The external force tries to impose its own frequency, so the motion is irregular at first.
  • These irregular oscillations die out after a short time.
3

3. Resonance

  • Resonance is a special case of forced oscillation.
  • It occurs when the frequency of the external force is equal to the natural frequency of the body or to its integral multiple.
  • At resonance, amplitude becomes very large.
4

4. Examples and Applications

  • Two pendulums of different lengths suspended from a rod can show forced oscillations when one pendulum drives the other.
  • The amplitude of forced oscillations of pendulum B is smaller than that of pendulum A.
  • When a tuning fork stem is placed on a table, the table vibrates by forced oscillations and the sound becomes more intense.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Oscillatory motion under restoring force, damping, external periodic force, and resonance

Natural frequencyFree oscillationsDamped oscillationsForced oscillationsResonancePeriodic forcePendulum pair A and BPendulums A, B, C and D

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations for ICSE Class 11 Physics?
Key topics in Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations include Free, Natural, and Damped Oscillations, Forced Oscillations, Resonance, Examples and Applications. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 65 practice questions on Free, Damped and Forced Oscillations. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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