Oscillations

Question 1

Oscillation

Answer 1

An oscillation is a periodic to-and-fro motion of an object between two limits.

Question 2

Free oscillations

Answer 2

Oscillating system where there is no energy gain or loss (-> there is no external force acting on the system)

Question 3

Forced oscillations

Answer 3

Forced oscillations are caused by CONTINUAL INPUT OF ENERGY by an external applied force to an oscillation to COMPENSATE for the LOSS OF ENERGY due to DAMPING in order to maintain the amplitude of the oscillation.

Question 4

Damped oscillations

Answer 4

Oscillation in which there is a continuous dissipation of energy to the surroundings such that the total energy in the system decreases with time, hence the amplitude of the motion progressively decreases with time.

Question 5

Equilibrium position of an oscillating mass

Answer 5

Equilibrium position is the position at which no net force acts on the oscillating mass.

Question 6

Simple Harmonic Motion

Answer 6

Simple harmonic motion is defined as the oscillatory motion of a particle whose acceleration is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed point, and this acceleration is always in opposite direction to its displacement.

Question 7

Angular frequency

Answer 7

Angular frequency of an oscillation refers to the constant which characterises the particular simple harmonic oscillator and is related to its natural by w = 2(pi)f

Question 8

Frequency

Answer 8

Frequency is the number of complete to-and-fro cycles per UNIT TIME made by the oscillating object.

Question 9

Period

Answer 9

The time taken for one complete oscillation

Question 10

Phase

Answer 10

An angle in either degrees or radians which gives a measure of the fraction of a cycle that has been completed by an oscillating particle or by a wave.

Question 11

Phase difference

Answer 11

Phase difference is a measure of how much one wave is out of step with another.

Question 12

Displacement

Answer 12

The distance of the oscillating mass from its equilibrium position at any instant in a stated direction.

Question 13

Amplitude

Answer 13

Amplitude is the MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENT of the oscillating mass from the equilibrium position.

Question 14

Damping

Answer 14

Damping is a process where energy is taken from an oscillating system as a result of dissipative forces.

Question 15

Natural frequency

Answer 15

A system that is free to vibrate will vibrate at this natural frequency when no external force acts on it. Natural frequency depends on its dimensions and nature of material.

Question 16

Resonance*

Answer 16

Resonance occurs when the resulting amplitude of the system becomes a maximum when the driving frequency of external driving force equals to the natural frequency of the system. At resonance, there is a maximum transfer of energy from the driving system to the driven system.