# WPH15 Oscillations Topic Questions

> Edexcel IAL WPH15: every Oscillations topic question from 20 papers (2020–2026), grouped by syllabus point. 145 questions, 306 marks, with direct links into…

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Edexcel IAL · Physics · WPH15 · A Level

Every WPH15 Oscillations topic question from the 2018–current syllabus, drawn from 20 papers (2020–2026) and grouped by syllabus point. Each row opens a page listing the exact question numbers, marks and a direct link into the paper. These are questions by topic, not full papers, so you can revise one topic at a time.

- WPH15
- 11 subtopics
- 145 topic questions
- 20 papers
- 306 tagged marks
- [Back to Oscillations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/)
- [All paper codes](https://www.examsci.com/topics/)

Core finding

**144 be able to use the equations …, …, …, …, and … and … as applied… is the most frequently assessed subtopic in Oscillations, with 38 topic questions and 97 marks across 20 papers.** 145 be able to use equations for a simple harmonic… follows with 31 topic questions and 87 marks. The topic contains 11 subtopics, 145 topic questions and 306 marks in total. Rows count only the parts tagged to that subtopic, keep the same colour in both charts and repeat paper count, tagged marks and year range in the native table.

## Topic question count and mark distribution

Subtopics are on the vertical axis and sorted from highest to lowest. Only the parts whose knowledge graph matches a subtopic are counted for it, and percentages are each row's share of the tagged total in that chart. A part tagged to several subtopics is counted in each bar, so the bars are not a partition of the topic total.

### Questions by subtopic

question items

- [144 be able to use the equations $a = -\omega^{2}x$, $x = A\cos\omega t$, $v=-A\omega\sin\omega t$, $a = -A\omega^{2}\cos\omega t$, and $T=\frac{1}{f}=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}$ and $\omega=2\pi f$ as applied to a simple harmonic oscillator](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/144-be-able-to-use-the-equations-a-omega-2-x-x-a-cos-omega-t-v-a-omega-sin-omega-t-a/) (20 papers) — 38 · 19.3%
- [145 be able to use equations for a simple harmonic oscillator $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$ and a simple pendulum $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/145-be-able-to-use-equations-for-a-simple-harmonic-oscillator-t-2-pi-sqrt-frac-m-k/) (20 papers) — 31 · 15.7%
- [143 understand that the condition for simple harmonic motion is $F=-kx$, and hence understand how to identify situations in which simple harmonic motion will occur](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/143-understand-that-the-condition-for-simple-harmonic-motion-is-f-kx-and-hence/) (18 papers) — 29 · 14.7%
- [148 understand what is meant by resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/148-understand-what-is-meant-by-resonance/) (15 papers) — 17 · 8.6%
- [150 understand how to apply conservation of energy to damped and undamped oscillating systems](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/150-understand-how-to-apply-conservation-of-energy-to-damped-and-undamped-oscillating/) (10 papers) — 17 · 8.6%
- [153 understand how damping and the plastic deformation of ductile materials reduce the amplitude of oscillation.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/153-understand-how-damping-and-the-plastic-deformation-of-ductile-materials-reduce/) (15 papers) — 17 · 8.6%
- [152 understand how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes at and around the natural frequency of a system and know, qualitatively, how damping affects resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/152-understand-how-the-amplitude-of-a-forced-oscillation-changes-at-and-around-the/) (11 papers) — 14 · 7.1%
- [146 be able to draw and interpret a displacement-time graph for an object oscillating and know that the gradient at a point gives the velocity at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/146-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-displacement-time-graph-for-an-object-oscillating/) (11 papers) — 12 · 6.1%
- [147 be able to draw and interpret a velocity-time graph for an oscillating object and know that the gradient at a point gives the acceleration at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/147-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-velocity-time-graph-for-an-oscillating-object-and/) (11 papers) — 12 · 6.1%
- [151 understand the distinction between free and forced oscillations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/151-understand-the-distinction-between-free-and-forced-oscillations/) (8 papers) — 9 · 4.6%
- [149 CORE PRACTICAL 16: Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known masses](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/149-core-practical-16-determine-the-value-of-an-unknown-mass-using-the-resonant/) (1 papers) — 1 · 0.5%

### Marks by subtopic

marks

- [144 be able to use the equations $a = -\omega^{2}x$, $x = A\cos\omega t$, $v=-A\omega\sin\omega t$, $a = -A\omega^{2}\cos\omega t$, and $T=\frac{1}{f}=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}$ and $\omega=2\pi f$ as applied to a simple harmonic oscillator](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/144-be-able-to-use-the-equations-a-omega-2-x-x-a-cos-omega-t-v-a-omega-sin-omega-t-a/) (20 papers) — 97 · 20.7%
- [145 be able to use equations for a simple harmonic oscillator $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$ and a simple pendulum $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/145-be-able-to-use-equations-for-a-simple-harmonic-oscillator-t-2-pi-sqrt-frac-m-k/) (20 papers) — 87 · 18.6%
- [143 understand that the condition for simple harmonic motion is $F=-kx$, and hence understand how to identify situations in which simple harmonic motion will occur](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/143-understand-that-the-condition-for-simple-harmonic-motion-is-f-kx-and-hence/) (18 papers) — 55 · 11.7%
- [148 understand what is meant by resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/148-understand-what-is-meant-by-resonance/) (15 papers) — 43 · 9.2%
- [150 understand how to apply conservation of energy to damped and undamped oscillating systems](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/150-understand-how-to-apply-conservation-of-energy-to-damped-and-undamped-oscillating/) (10 papers) — 43 · 9.2%
- [153 understand how damping and the plastic deformation of ductile materials reduce the amplitude of oscillation.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/153-understand-how-damping-and-the-plastic-deformation-of-ductile-materials-reduce/) (15 papers) — 37 · 7.9%
- [152 understand how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes at and around the natural frequency of a system and know, qualitatively, how damping affects resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/152-understand-how-the-amplitude-of-a-forced-oscillation-changes-at-and-around-the/) (11 papers) — 36 · 7.7%
- [151 understand the distinction between free and forced oscillations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/151-understand-the-distinction-between-free-and-forced-oscillations/) (8 papers) — 23 · 4.9%
- [146 be able to draw and interpret a displacement-time graph for an object oscillating and know that the gradient at a point gives the velocity at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/146-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-displacement-time-graph-for-an-object-oscillating/) (11 papers) — 22 · 4.7%
- [147 be able to draw and interpret a velocity-time graph for an oscillating object and know that the gradient at a point gives the acceleration at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/147-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-velocity-time-graph-for-an-oscillating-object-and/) (11 papers) — 20 · 4.3%
- [149 CORE PRACTICAL 16: Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known masses](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/149-core-practical-16-determine-the-value-of-an-unknown-mass-using-the-resonant/) (1 papers) — 6 · 1.3%

## Subtopic comparison matrix

Curriculum order is by syllabus number, then alphabetically. Every row links to the matching past-paper question list.

| Subtopic | Topic questions | Papers | Marks | Years | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **[143 understand that the condition for simple harmonic motion is $F=-kx$, and hence understand how to identify situations in which simple harmonic motion will occur](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/143-understand-that-the-condition-for-simple-harmonic-motion-is-f-kx-and-hence/)** | 29 | 18 | 55 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/143-understand-that-the-condition-for-simple-harmonic-motion-is-f-kx-and-hence/) |
| **[144 be able to use the equations $a = -\omega^{2}x$, $x = A\cos\omega t$, $v=-A\omega\sin\omega t$, $a = -A\omega^{2}\cos\omega t$, and $T=\frac{1}{f}=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}$ and $\omega=2\pi f$ as applied to a simple harmonic oscillator](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/144-be-able-to-use-the-equations-a-omega-2-x-x-a-cos-omega-t-v-a-omega-sin-omega-t-a/)** | 38 | 20 | 97 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/144-be-able-to-use-the-equations-a-omega-2-x-x-a-cos-omega-t-v-a-omega-sin-omega-t-a/) |
| **[145 be able to use equations for a simple harmonic oscillator $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$ and a simple pendulum $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/145-be-able-to-use-equations-for-a-simple-harmonic-oscillator-t-2-pi-sqrt-frac-m-k/)** | 31 | 20 | 87 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/145-be-able-to-use-equations-for-a-simple-harmonic-oscillator-t-2-pi-sqrt-frac-m-k/) |
| **[146 be able to draw and interpret a displacement-time graph for an object oscillating and know that the gradient at a point gives the velocity at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/146-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-displacement-time-graph-for-an-object-oscillating/)** | 12 | 11 | 22 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/146-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-displacement-time-graph-for-an-object-oscillating/) |
| **[147 be able to draw and interpret a velocity-time graph for an oscillating object and know that the gradient at a point gives the acceleration at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/147-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-velocity-time-graph-for-an-oscillating-object-and/)** | 12 | 11 | 20 | 2021–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/147-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-velocity-time-graph-for-an-oscillating-object-and/) |
| **[148 understand what is meant by resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/148-understand-what-is-meant-by-resonance/)** | 17 | 15 | 43 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/148-understand-what-is-meant-by-resonance/) |
| **[149 CORE PRACTICAL 16: Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known masses](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/149-core-practical-16-determine-the-value-of-an-unknown-mass-using-the-resonant/)** | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2021 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/149-core-practical-16-determine-the-value-of-an-unknown-mass-using-the-resonant/) |
| **[150 understand how to apply conservation of energy to damped and undamped oscillating systems](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/150-understand-how-to-apply-conservation-of-energy-to-damped-and-undamped-oscillating/)** | 17 | 10 | 43 | 2020–2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/150-understand-how-to-apply-conservation-of-energy-to-damped-and-undamped-oscillating/) |
| **[151 understand the distinction between free and forced oscillations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/151-understand-the-distinction-between-free-and-forced-oscillations/)** | 9 | 8 | 23 | 2021–2025 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/151-understand-the-distinction-between-free-and-forced-oscillations/) |
| **[152 understand how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes at and around the natural frequency of a system and know, qualitatively, how damping affects resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/152-understand-how-the-amplitude-of-a-forced-oscillation-changes-at-and-around-the/)** | 14 | 11 | 36 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/152-understand-how-the-amplitude-of-a-forced-oscillation-changes-at-and-around-the/) |
| **[153 understand how damping and the plastic deformation of ductile materials reduce the amplitude of oscillation.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/153-understand-how-damping-and-the-plastic-deformation-of-ductile-materials-reduce/)** | 17 | 15 | 37 | 2020–2026 | [Open topic questions](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/153-understand-how-damping-and-the-plastic-deformation-of-ductile-materials-reduce/) |

## Browse every topic question

- [143 understand that the condition for simple harmonic motion is $F=-kx$, and hence understand how to identify situations in which simple harmonic motion will occur](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/143-understand-that-the-condition-for-simple-harmonic-motion-is-f-kx-and-hence/) — 29 question items · 18 papers — 55 marks · 2020–2026
- [144 be able to use the equations $a = -\omega^{2}x$, $x = A\cos\omega t$, $v=-A\omega\sin\omega t$, $a = -A\omega^{2}\cos\omega t$, and $T=\frac{1}{f}=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}$ and $\omega=2\pi f$ as applied to a simple harmonic oscillator](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/144-be-able-to-use-the-equations-a-omega-2-x-x-a-cos-omega-t-v-a-omega-sin-omega-t-a/) — 38 question items · 20 papers — 97 marks · 2020–2026
- [145 be able to use equations for a simple harmonic oscillator $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$ and a simple pendulum $T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/145-be-able-to-use-equations-for-a-simple-harmonic-oscillator-t-2-pi-sqrt-frac-m-k/) — 31 question items · 20 papers — 87 marks · 2020–2026
- [146 be able to draw and interpret a displacement-time graph for an object oscillating and know that the gradient at a point gives the velocity at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/146-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-displacement-time-graph-for-an-object-oscillating/) — 12 question items · 11 papers — 22 marks · 2020–2026
- [147 be able to draw and interpret a velocity-time graph for an oscillating object and know that the gradient at a point gives the acceleration at that point](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/147-be-able-to-draw-and-interpret-a-velocity-time-graph-for-an-oscillating-object-and/) — 12 question items · 11 papers — 20 marks · 2021–2026
- [148 understand what is meant by resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/148-understand-what-is-meant-by-resonance/) — 17 question items · 15 papers — 43 marks · 2020–2026
- [149 CORE PRACTICAL 16: Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known masses](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/149-core-practical-16-determine-the-value-of-an-unknown-mass-using-the-resonant/) — 1 question items · 1 papers — 6 marks · 2021
- [150 understand how to apply conservation of energy to damped and undamped oscillating systems](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/150-understand-how-to-apply-conservation-of-energy-to-damped-and-undamped-oscillating/) — 17 question items · 10 papers — 43 marks · 2020–2025
- [151 understand the distinction between free and forced oscillations](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/151-understand-the-distinction-between-free-and-forced-oscillations/) — 9 question items · 8 papers — 23 marks · 2021–2025
- [152 understand how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes at and around the natural frequency of a system and know, qualitatively, how damping affects resonance](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/152-understand-how-the-amplitude-of-a-forced-oscillation-changes-at-and-around-the/) — 14 question items · 11 papers — 36 marks · 2020–2026
- [153 understand how damping and the plastic deformation of ductile materials reduce the amplitude of oscillation.](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/oscillations/153-understand-how-damping-and-the-plastic-deformation-of-ductile-materials-reduce/) — 17 question items · 15 papers — 37 marks · 2020–2026

## Other topics in WPH15

- [Astrophysics and Cosmology 303 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/astrophysics-and-cosmology/)
- [Nuclear Decay 178 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/nuclear-decay/)
- [Thermodynamics 111 question items](https://www.examsci.com/topics/edexcel-ial/physics/physics-unit-5-wph15/thermodynamics/)

## Topic question rules and edge cases

**How many subtopics does Oscillations contain?**

This page lists 11 subtopics tagged to the current syllabus. They are ordered by syllabus number, then alphabetically, and each row opens a page of matching past-paper questions.

**How are the subtopic question and mark totals calculated?**

A multiple-choice question contributes one item and its marks to every subtopic it is tagged with. A structured question contributes one item per tagged part, and that part’s marks; untagged parts of the same question are not counted here. A part tagged to several subtopics therefore appears under each of them.

**Why do some subtopics have no numbered prefix?**

Practical-skills statements and some syllabus bullets are unnumbered. Numbered statements come first; unnumbered statements and ties are sorted alphabetically.

**Is the LaTeX rendered without JavaScript?**

Yes. Subtopics that contain formulas are converted to static KaTeX HTML during the build, and the KaTeX stylesheet is served from the same site.

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