Oscillations Flashcards
What is the definition of displacement?
The distance from the equilibrium position
What is the definition of amplitude?
The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position
What is the definition of period?
The time taken to complete one full oscillation
What is the definition of frequency?
The number of complete oscillations per unit time
What is phase difference?
The difference in displacement between two oscillating object or the same object at different times.
What is Simple Harmonic Motion?
A common oscillating motion defined as oscillating motion for which the accelerating is given by a = -w^2x
What are the two key features of SHM?
The acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement
The minus sign indicates that the acceleration acts in the opposite direction to the displacement
What does a graph of acceleration against time indicate?
The gradient is equal to -w^2.
Gradient is constant so frequency is constant
What is independent of the amplitude?
Time period
What is the name given to an oscillator where the average speed increases as amplitude increases?
Isochronous oscillator
What happens to the energy of an object moving in SHM?
Remains constant, assuming no friction
What is damping?
An external force acting on the oscillator reducing the amplitude of the oscillations
What is light damping?
When the damping forces are small so amplitude gradually decreases with time but period remains almost the same
What is heavy damping?
When the damping forces are large so amplitude increases significantly and period of the oscillations increase slightly.
What is free oscillation?
When a mechanical system is displaced from its equilibrium position and then allowed to oscillate without any external forces.
