Simple Harmonic Motion Flashcards
What does simple mean in the term simple harmonic motion?
Lack of external forces.
What does harmonic mean?
Creates a pure frequency.
Define Simple Harmonic Motion.
An object undergoing SHM has an acceleration which is proportional to its displacement and is in the opposite direction to this displacement.
Define a free oscillator.
Free of any external forces.
The frequency of the oscillation is known as the natural frequency.
Define a forced oscillator.
A periodic driver is applied.
The frequency of the oscillation will be the same as the frequency of the driver force and is known as the driving frequency.
Define resonance.
If the driving frequency is the same as an object’s natural frequency the object will resonate.
The amplitude of oscillations increases dramatically.
