Oscillations Flashcards
Displacement
The distance an object moves from its equilibrium position, a vector quantity
Amplitude
The maximum displacement, a scalar quantity
Frequency
The number of oscillations per unit time at any point
Period
The time taken for one complete pattern of oscillation at any point
Angular frequency ω
The product of 2π/T
ω = 2π/T
Phase difference φ
The fraction of a complete cycle or oscillation between two oscillating points
Simple harmonic motion
A body will oscillate with simple harmonic motion if its acceleration is directly proportional to its displacement and always directed towards the equilibrium point
Isochronous
Period is constant and independent of the amplitude
Energy levels in simple harmonic motion
When displacement is maximum: KE is minimum and PE is maximum
When displacement is 0: KE is maximum and PE is minimum
Damping forces
Reduce the amplitude of an oscillation with time, due to energy being removed from the oscillating system.
Increasing fanning also slightly reduces the frequency that corresponds to the maximum amplitude of oscillation
Free oscillations
Occur when there is no external periodic force. The system oscillates at its natural frequency.
Natural frequency
The frequency at which a system will oscillate when undergoing free oscillations.
Forced oscillations
occur when a driving force is applied to keep the body oscillating.
Driving frequency
The frequency of the driving force applied to an oscillating object
Resonance in forced oscillations
When the driving frequency is equal to the natural frequency of the body oscillating. This results in oscillations of natural frequency and maximum amplitude
