Topic 4 - Oscillations and waves Flashcards
What are examples of oscillations?
- Tides of the ocean
- The movement of our legs when we walk
- A heart beating
- Clock mechanisms
- Atoms vibrating
- Machinery and engines
- A guitar string played
- Eardrums
- Radio waves and microwaves
What is the displacement of an oscillator (x)?
The distance in a specified direction from its equilibrium position
What is amplitude (x0)?
The maximum displacement, the distance from the equilibrium position to the furthest point of travel
What is period (T)?
The time it takes for one complete oscillation
What is frequency (ƒ)?
The number of oscillations in unit time (second)
What is the relationship between frequency and period?
What is phase difference?
The angle (radians) between two similar oscillations
What is angular frequency (angular speed)(ω)?
Unit: rads–1
What is simple harmonic motion?
An oscillation in which the acceleration (a) of a body is proportional to its displacement (x) from its equilibrium position and in the opposite direction
What is the interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy during SHM?
All mechanical oscillations involve a continual interchange between kinetic energy and some form of potential energy
What is the kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy of SHM?
What is damping?
The dissipation of energy of an oscillator due to resistive forces
What are the types of damping?
- Light damping
- Heavy damping
- Critical damping
What is natural frequency of vibration?
When something is disturbed and then left to osillate without further interference, it is said to oscillate at its natural frequency of vibration
What is forced oscillation?
Occurs when an external oscillating force acts on another system tending to make it oscillate at a frequency which may be different from its natural frequency
What is resonance?
The increase in amplitude and energy of an oscillation that occurs when an external oscillating force has the same frequency as the natural frequency of the system