Chapter 1 - Simple Harmonic Waves and Motions

Question 1

Describe oscillation or vibration

Answer 1

The to and fro motion of a body about a mean point is known as oscillation (i.e, strumming of a guitar string). Its behavior is described using the following terminologies:

Vibration cycle, which is one complete round trip of a oscillating body from its mean position to the two extremes on either side, returning to its original afterwards.

Displacement (x), the position of a vibrating body at any given time. Measured in metres (m)

Amplitude (A or x0) is the maximum distance an oscillating body travels to an from its mean position. Measured in meters as well.

Time is the period of seconds taken by a vibrating body to complete a full cycle. Measured in Seconds.

Frequency (f) is the measure of cycles completed by an oscillating body in one second. Measured in Hertz or cps.

Question 2

What is the relation between time and frequency in simple harmonic motions and oscillations?

Answer 2

They are reciprocals of each other. The greater the time, the less the frequency of complete cycles undertaken by an oscillating body and vice versa. Mathematically, T= 1/f

Question 3

What is net force?

Answer 3

The restoring force of an object about its mean point is known at net force. This is also referred to as restoring force because it tends to restore of pushes a body back to a its stable equilibrium of stable point.

Question 4

What is simple harmonic motion?

Answer 4

Simple harmonic motion is a special type of periodic motion an object experiences by means of a restoring force whose magnitude is directly proportional to the distance of the object from an equilibrium position, and acts towards the equilibrium position.

Question 5

Formula for the time period of a spring mass system?

Answer 5

T= 2pi square root (m/m)

Question 6

Restoring force of a pendulum is given by

Answer 6

fres=-mg sin0