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  3. AP Physics C: Mechanics CRAM – Oscillations & SHM

ap physics c: mechanics cram – oscillations & shm

originally streamed on April 12, 2021 with Sam ReichTeacher
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Review oscillations and simple harmonic motion for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam. This cram session covers SHM formulas, spring systems, pendulums, and calculus-based problem-solving strategies to help you prepare for exam day. This video walks t ...more

curriculum note

This video refers to oscillations as 'Unit 6.' In the current AP Physics C: Mechanics course, this content is covered in Unit 7 – Oscillations.

covered in this stream

units
Unit 7 – Oscillations
topics
7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators7.5 Simple and Physical Pendulums2.10 Circular Motion

timestamps

  • 0:00

    Welcome and Logistics

  • 0:36

    Practice Problem Prep

  • 1:39

    Recording and Social Media

  • 2:12

    Unit Overview: Oscillations

  • 2:43

    Simple Harmonic Motion Intro

  • 3:49

    Types of SHM

  • 4:53

    General SHM Formula

  • 6:25

    SHM Equation Solution

  • 7:27

    Position, Velocity, Acceleration

  • 9:00

    Uniform Circular Motion Reminders

  • 10:02

    Practice Problem 1: Radius

  • 13:49

    Practice Problem 2: Speed

  • 17:12

    Practice Problem 3: Acceleration

  • 20:11

    Period and Frequency

  • 22:14

    SHM Oscillator Example

  • 26:12

    Mass on a Spring

  • 28:20

    Period for Mass-Spring

  • 29:23

    Mass-Spring Practice Problem

  • 32:46

    Restoring Force

  • 34:22

    Energy in SHM

  • 36:27

    Potential Energy Equilibrium

  • 40:41

    Differential Equation for SHM

  • 43:17

    Horizontal and Vertical Setups

  • 44:20

    Free Response Example

  • 49:04

    Springs in Series/Parallel

  • 50:06

    Pendulums and Period

  • 52:10

    Pendulum on Another Planet

  • 53:50

    Pendulum Energy Example

  • 55:22

    Physical Pendulum Derivation

  • 59:00

    Period Expression for Pendulum

  • 1:00:07

    Wrapping Up and Tips

  • 1:01:40

    Next Cram and Trivia

  • 1:02:10

    Closing Remarks

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Study GuidesFRQs + AI ScoringAP Essay Grader for StudentsAI Grading for TeachersPractice QuestionsGlossaryScore Calculators

Company

What's New?PricingBulk DiscountsTestimonialsFAQsEmail us

Resources

AP Exam Schedule 2027AP Exam AccommodationsAP ClassesAP ClassroomEasiest AP ClassesHardest AP ClassesAP vs IBAP vs Dual EnrollmentAP vs Honors ClassesAP Scholar Awards

history

🌎 ap world history🇺🇸 ap us history🇪🇺 ap european history

social science

✊🏿 ap african american studies🗳️ ap comparative government🚜 ap human geography💶 ap macroeconomics🤑 ap microeconomics🧠 ap psychology👩🏾‍⚖️ ap us government

english & capstone

✍🏽 ap english language📚 ap english literature🔍 ap research💬 ap seminar

arts

🎨 ap art & design🖼️ ap art history🎵 ap music theory

science

🧬 ap biology🧪 ap chemistry♻️ ap environmental science🎡 ap physics 1🧲 ap physics 2💡 ap physics c: e&m⚙️ ap physics c: mechanics

math & computer science

🧮 ap calculus ab♾️ ap calculus bc📐 ap precalculus📊 ap statistics💻 ap computer science a⌨️ ap computer science p

world languages

🇨🇳 ap chinese🇫🇷 ap french🇩🇪 ap german🇮🇹 ap italian🇯🇵 ap japanese🏛️ ap latin🇪🇸 ap spanish language💃🏽 ap spanish literature

career kickstart

💼 ap business with personal finance🔒 ap cybersecurity

go beyond AP

high school exams

✏️ PSAT🎓 Digital SAT🎒 ACT

honors classes

🍬 honors algebra II🫀 honors anatomy🐇 honors biology👩🏽‍🔬 honors chemistry💲 honors economics📐 honors geometry⚾️ honors physics📏 honors pre-calculus📊 honors statistics🗳️ honors us government🇺🇸 honors us history🌎 honors world history

college classes

👩🏽‍🎤 arts👔 business🎤 communications🏗️ engineering📓 humanities➗ math🧑🏽‍🔬 science💶 social science

hs classes

🏛️ alabama history⛰️ appalachian studies🌴 california history🌍 earth science🌐 ethnic studies🐊 florida history🍑 georgia history🌎 global studies🌺 hawaiian studies📰 journalism🪶 native american studies🌵 new mexico history🤠 oklahoma history⚗️ physical science🎙️ speech and debate🤝 texas government🤠 texas history🌲 washington state history🕊️ world religions
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© 2026 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.