Oscilations

Question 1

Periodic Motion

Answer 1

Periodic motion is the regular, repetitive motion of a body which continually retraces its path at regular intervals.

Question 2

Period (Oscilations)

Answer 2

Period T of a periodic motion is the time to make one complete cycle.

Question 3

Frequency (Oscilations)

Answer 3

Frequency f of a periodic motion is the number of cycles per unit time.

Question 4

Angular Frequency

Answer 4

Angular frequency of a periodic motion is the rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time.

Question 5

Displacement (Oscilations)

Answer 5

Displacement of an object is the distance of the oscillating particle from its equilibrium position at any instant.

Question 6

Amplitude (Oscilations)

Answer 6

Amplitude of a periodic motion is the magnitude of the maximum displacement of the oscillating particle from the equilibrium position.

Question 7

Simple Harmonic Motion

Answer 7

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is defined as the oscillatory motion of a particle whose acceleration a is always directed towards a fixed point and is directly proportional to its displacement x from that fixed point but in the opposite direction to the displacement.

Question 8

Damping

Answer 8

Damping is the process whereby energy is taken from the oscillating system.

Question 9

Natural Frequency

Answer 9

Natural frequency of the system is the frequency at which it will vibrate freely.