5.3: Oscillations

Question 1

Angular frequency

Answer 1

A measure of an object’s angular displacement per unit time.

Question 2

Critical damping

Answer 2

The form of damping that reduces the displacement of an oscillating object to its equilibrium position in the quickest time possible and without further oscillation.

Question 3

Damping

Answer 3

The dissipation of energy from an oscillating system. The consequence is that the amplitude of oscillation will decrease. Damping occurs when a force opposes the system’s motion.

Question 4

Free oscillations

Answer 4

Oscillations that are not caused by a driver. An object will naturally oscillate at its natural frequency.

Question 5

Isochronous oscillator

Answer 5

An oscillator whose frequency is independent to amplitude.

Question 6

Natural frequency

Answer 6

The frequency that a system naturally oscillates at when there is no driving force.

Question 7

Overdamping

Answer 7

A type of damping where the system is damped more than required to stop the oscillations. It takes longer for the system to return to equilibrium than for critical damping.

Question 8

Resonance

Answer 8

Resonance occurs when the frequency of oscillations is equal to the natural frequency of the oscillating system. The rate of energy transfer is at a maximum during resonance.

Question 9

Simple harmonic motion

Answer 9

Motion where the acceleration of an object is directly proportional, and in the opposite direction, to its displacement.

Question 10

Underdamping

Answer 10

A type of damping where energy is gradually removed from the system and the amplitude of oscillations slowly decreases.

Question 11

Forced oscillations

Answer 11

Repeated up and down oscillations, at the frequency of a driver. The amplitude of oscillation is small at high frequencies and large at low frequencies.