Physics Oscillations

Periodic Motion

A motion that repeats itself after regular intervals of time.

Oscillatory Motion

A motion in which a body moves back and forth repeatedly about a fixed point in regular intervals of time.

Mean Position

The fixed point about which oscillatory motion occurs.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

A special type of periodic motion where a particle moves to and fro about a mean position under the influence of a restoring force.

Restoring Force

A force that acts to bring a particle back to its mean position in SHM; it is always directed towards the mean position and is proportional to displacement.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement from the mean position in SHM.

Kinetic Energy in SHM

The energy possessed by a particle due to its motion, which is maximum at the mean position.

Potential Energy in SHM

The energy stored in a particle due to its displacement from the mean position, maximum at the extreme positions.

Free Oscillations

Oscillations that occur without any external periodic force.

Damped Oscillations

Oscillations where the amplitude decreases over time due to dissipative forces.

Resonance

A phenomenon that occurs when a system oscillates at a greater amplitude at specific frequencies.

Simple Pendulum

A mass (bob) attached to a string that swings back and forth under the influence of gravity.

Force Constant (k)

A measure of the stiffness of a spring, defining the restoring force per unit displacement.

Time Period (T)

The duration it takes to complete one full cycle of motion in periodic or oscillatory motion.

Phase Angle

A measure of how far along the wave of oscillation has progressed at a given time.

Equilibrium Position

The position of a system where net force is zero and the system is at rest.