Simple Harmonic Motion Flashcards
Restoring Force
Resultant Force that is always directed towards the equilibrium position
Displacement, x
Distance and direction of the oscillating object from its equilibrium position
Simple Harmonic Motion
Where the acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement and in the opposite direction
Amplitude
The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position
Angular Frequency
The angular displacement per unit time measured in radians per second
Free oscillation
An idealised oscillation where the amplitude of the oscillating object is constant and no energy is lost or added to the system
Damping
The removal of energy from an oscillating system
Critical damping
When the restoring force is just enough to prevent oscillation and the object is brought to equilibrium in the minimum possible time
Natural Frequency
The frequency at which an object undergoes free oscillations
Forced oscillation
An oscillation imposed on a body or system by an external energy source
Driving Frequency
The frequency of motion causing a forced oscillation
Resonant frequency
The natural frequency at which an object or system oscillates
