SHM and Circular Motion Flashcards
Define simple harmonic motion
Oscillating motion in which the acceleration is proportional to the displacement and always in the opposite direction as displacement
Define a free oscillation
Oscillation with a constant amplitude, no friction so total energy remains same
Define damping
When frictional forces cause the amplitude of an oscillation to decrease
Define light damping
When amplitude gradually decreases with time and period of each oscillation remains the same
Define critical damping
When the system returns to equilibrium without overshooting in the shorter possible time after it has been displaced
Define heavy damping
When the system returns to equilibrium more slowly than critical
Define natural frequency
The frequency which undamped systems have if displaced from equilibrium position
Define forced oscillation
Occurs when a system is made to oscillate by a periodic force, system oscillates with applied frequency
What does the amplitude of a driven system depend on?
Damping if system and difference between applied and natural frequencies
What occurs when a system resonates and what is this point?
Max amplitude occurs when natural frequency equals applied frequency
What happens when a vibrating surface accelerates downwards with an acceleration greater than g?
Any objects on the surface will lose contact with the surface
What occurs as you increase the applied frequency of a system from zero?
Amplitude increases up to a maximum then decreases, phase difference between displacement and periodic force increases to pi/2 at max amplitude then to pi as frequency increases further
What happens when the phase difference between displacement and the periodic force is pi/2?
Periodic force is in phase with the velocity of the system, meanin system is in resonance
What happens when damping is reduced?
Larger the maximum amplitude becomes at resonance and sharper the resonance curve is
What does the applied frequency equal when there’s no damping?
Natural frequency
