What is Oscillation: Definition and 766 Discussions

Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. The term vibration is precisely used to describe mechanical oscillation. Familiar examples of oscillation include a swinging pendulum and alternating current.
Oscillations occur not only in mechanical systems but also in dynamic systems in virtually every area of science: for example the beating of the human heart (for circulation), business cycles in economics, predator–prey population cycles in ecology, geothermal geysers in geology, vibration of strings in guitar and other string instruments, periodic firing of nerve cells in the brain, and the periodic swelling of Cepheid variable stars in astronomy.

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  1. P

    Can Physics Confirm the Height of a Carnival Ride Start?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations E = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2kx^2 = 1/2kA^2 omega = Sqrt(k/m) f = omega/(2pi) = 1/(2pi)*Sqrt(k/m) The Attempt at a Solution m = 150kg M = 150kg + 50kg = 200kg x = 15ft = 4.57m h1 = 3.04 m h_real = ? x = A? mgh = (1/2)Mv^2 + (1/2)kx^2 Since there is...
  2. F

    How to Calculate Tension in a Hanging Block Supported by a Rubber Cord

    Homework Statement So a 2kg block hangs from a rubber cord and it's being supported so that the cord is not stretched. The unstretch length of the cord is .500 meters and its mass is 5.3 grams. The spring constant for the cord is 105 N/m. The block is released and stops at the lowest point...
  3. P

    Oscillator: Exploring "Back and Forth" & "Going Around

    In the linear oscillator the motion is "back and forth" and angular frequency suggests something "going around". Try to explain how "back and forth" is related to "going around". This question is pertaining to the oscillator machine. It is connected with two strings, and is a cart thing with...
  4. M

    What is the Period of Oscillation for a Frequency of 315 Hz?

    The frequency of oscillations of, f, is equal to 315 Hz. What is the value of the period of oscillations, T? I understand that the speed of the wave is related to the wavelength and the frequency according to this: v = w/f = w/T But, how am I to solve for T if I don't know the value of...
  5. C

    Optimizing Automobile Suspension: Calculating Spring and Damping Constants

    The suspension system of a 1700 kg automobile "sags" 13 cm when the chassis is placed on it. Also, the oscillation amplitude decreases by 43% each cycle. Estimate the values of (a) the spring constant k and (b) the damping constant b for the spring and shock absorber system of one wheel...
  6. C

    Maximum oscillation amplitude for block

    Problem: A 1.0 kg mass is riding on top of a 5.0 kg mass as it oscillates on a frictionless surface. The spring constant is 50 N/m and the coefficient of static friction between the two blocks is 0.50. What is the maximum oscillation amplitude for which the upper block does not slip...
  7. L

    Energy of Oscillation for a Small Line Segment

    Q: A sinusoidal wave of the form: y = A \sin{kx - \omega t} is traveling along a string in the x direction, where A = 0.88 mm, k = 2 m^-1, omega = 25 rad/s, with x in meters and t in seconds. For this string, the mass per unit length is given by mu = 0.01 kg/m. For a length segment delta x = 1...
  8. S

    Physical Pendulum oscillation problem

    (9) A physical pendulum consists of a meter stick (1 meter long) pivoted at a distance 20 cm from one end and suspended freely. The frequency for small oscillation is closest to (a) 0.67 Hz (b) 0.8 Hz (c) 1.1 Hz (d) 1.7 Hz (e) Insufficient information (Hint: The moment of inertia of a stick of...
  9. S

    Simple harmonic oscillation question

    the displacement of a simple harmonic oscillator versus time is described by the function x = Asin(wt + phi) find the speed when the displacement is sqrt(3) A/2 the answer is piA/2 but I have no idea how the professor got it... the function for the velocity at point x in our book is v_x_ =...
  10. D

    Oscillation equilibrium problem

    A 4.40 kg block hangs from a spring with spring constant 1700 N/m. The block is pulled down 6.30 cm from the equilibrium position and given an initial velocity of 1.10 m/s back toward equilibrium. I have no idea how to start such a problem. If anyone could give me a idea of where to start Id...
  11. M

    What is the period of oscillation in this graph?

    What is the period of oscillation in the screenshot? http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5296/image12yt4.gif Period is just the time it takes to travel from one point on the graph to the exact same point again in the same direction. Looking at the graph I would guess somewhere around 2.5...
  12. Amith2006

    Period of oscillation of dip needle

    1)The time period of a dip needle vibrating in the vertical plane in the magnetic meridian is 3 seconds. When the same magnetic needle is made to vibrate in the horizontal plane, the time period of vibration is 3(2)^(1/2). What is the angle of dip of the place? I think in both the cases, it is...
  13. Amith2006

    Time period of oscillation of bar magnet

    1)A thin rectangular magnet suspended freely has a period of oscillation of 4 seconds. If it is broken into 2 halves (each having half the original length) and one of the pieces is suspended similarly. What is the new period of oscillation? I solved it in the following way: Let E1 and E2 be...
  14. S

    How Do You Solve the Oscillation Problem with Damping and Driving Forces?

    A particle of mass m is moving under the ocmbined action of the forces -kx, a damping force -2mb (dx/dt) and a driving force Ft. Express the solutions in terms of intial position x(t=0) and the initial velocity of the particle. For the complementary solution, use x(t) = e^(-bt) A sin (w1t +...
  15. L

    Investigate electrical oscillation by charge and discharge

    I have several question to ask? 1)why the voltage oscillates and amplitude decrease ? 2)how the frequency be affected by varing capacitance value and removed double c core ? 3)what is the corresponding physical quantities between spring -mass oscillation and electical oscillation? I have a...
  16. M

    Mass-Spring Oscillation question

    I tried to work out this problem a few different ways but I never get the right answer. A block hangs in equilibrium from a vertical spring. When a second identical block is added, the original block sags by 8.00 cm What is the oscillation frequency of the two-block system? What I've...
  17. Mallignamius

    Boiling water - oscillation; when oxygen needs more room

    I understand that when the oxygen molecules are heated up in a pot of water, they will vibrate increasingly as they get hotter. I guess that's what those little bubbles are at the bottom of the pot. At some point, they will suddenly release. Is there a name for this threshold and a way to...
  18. C

    Charged particle oscillation

    can one harness the energy from a charged particle violently oscillating in a confined space.
  19. J

    What Is the Difference Between Vibration and Oscillation?

    What is the difference between vibration and oscillation?
  20. T

    Superimposed Simple Harmonic Motions: Resultant Time Period Analysis

    what is the resultant time period when two simple harmonic motions of time periods 3s and 4s superimpose
  21. S

    Differential equations: spring oscillation

    A spring is stretched 10cm by a force of 3 N. A Mass of 2kg is hung from the spring and attached to a damper which exerts 3 N when the velocity = 5m/sec. There's more but I just need a little help setting it up. I don't understand how to find y (as in yu'(t)). Unless its just 3/5. Just a few...
  22. E

    Underdamped oscillation

    An underdamped oscillator`s amplitude decreases with the factor of e^-beta*T(damped) in a one cycle, but I am confused how to find the decrease of the amplitude after 10 cycles. Schould I multiply the factor by 10 like (10*e^-beta*T(damped) ) or when I am calculating the factor , should I...
  23. B

    Finding Normal Modes in Coupled Oscillations

    Hi guys, I'm stuck on a problem that states: Two equal masses oscillate in the vertical direction. Show that the frequences of the normal modes of oscillation are given by: \omega^2 = (3 +- \sqrt{5})\frac{s}{2m} and that in the slower mode the ratio of the amplitude of the upper mass to...
  24. W

    Understanding Resonance Frequency Decrease in Oscillation Systems

    In an Oscillating system,as damping increases, the amplitude of the system at the resonance frequency decrease and the resonance frequency also decreased. However why does the reasonce freq decrease? I know how to solve for the new amplitude and ang. freq. mathematically but i do not know how to...
  25. A

    Oscillation of object on spring - Find speed

    A massless spring hangs from the ceiling with a small object attached to its lower end. the object is initially held at rest in a position y such that the spring is at its rest length(not stretched). The object is then released from y and oscillates up and down, with its lowest position being 10...
  26. N

    One-dimensional undamped harmonic oscillation

    A particle of mass m undergoes one-dimensional undamped harmonic oscillation due to a restoring force Fr = -kx. In addition the particle is subject to a constant external force Fext = Fo. a) What is the differential equation that governs the motion of the particle? b) what is the general...
  27. S

    Oscillation Problem. Advice need please

    Oscillation Problem. Advice need please :) An object of unknown mass is hung on the end of an unstretched spring and is released from rest. If the object falls 4.27 cm before first coming to rest, find the period of the motion. All i can figure out is that the maximum amplitude is a given...
  28. N

    Calculating Frequency of Oscillation of Plank on Rotating Wheels

    I have encountered a question regarding a plank shifting in simple harmonic motion on top of two rotating wheels, rotating in exact opposite directions with the same angular velocities and the question requires me to determine the frequency of oscillation, which has got me stuck. I proved that...
  29. C

    Solving Oscillation Problem: Find Time for Pendulum with 30m Cable

    A wrecking ball is suspended from a crane by a cable that is 30 m long. How much time is required for such a simple pendulum to make one complete oscillation? no picture was given to me Ok this is a pendulum problem and its asking for time which is the period. So I think that this formula...
  30. C

    Damped and Driven Oscillation of a Bridge

    Sorry that I had to use an image file, I was having a lot of trouble using the Latex system. http://www.flamingice.5gigs.com/Question.gif Ok... We know the amplitude of the oscillations, and the force per person, so all we need to do is find Fmax, by finding other values and substituting...
  31. A

    Period of Oscillation of Mass on Massless Rod with Springs

    A mass m is attached to a massless rod of length L to make a pendulum. In addition, when the rod is vertical, two relaxed springs with constants k1 and k2 are attached on either side of the mass to walls. What is the period of oscillation. I started by writing the potential energy as a...
  32. A

    Calculating Initial Velocity for a Pendulum to Reach the Top Without Oscillation

    If a mass (m) at the end of a length (L) on a pendulum starts at an angle of θ from the vertical, what is the minimum inital velocity v0 it must have to just barely make it over the top and not oscillate? This is what I did: \Delta K=mgh\implies v_0=\sqrt{v^2-2gh} but at the top, v is...
  33. D

    Simple harmonic oscillation

    Hi, i'm trying to do this problem: ------------------------------------------------------------------- A tympani drum has a billiard ball of mass m resting in the middle. The billiard ball is displaced only vertically, very slightly from its equilibrium, and will oscillate vertically...
  34. S

    Solving perpendicular oscillation problems- lissajous

    solving perpendicular oscillation problems-- lissajous Hi all. Ok, I am not getting how we're to solve perpendicular oscillatory systems. How do the variances in frequency, and phase play into the drawing/solving of these systems? Oh, and this is not a trig class I'm doing. It's an...
  35. I

    Oscillation question: dealing with a maximum velocity

    Hi, I just want to clarify something. If there is a particle attached to a spring, in which it's maximum velocity is at t=0 towards THE LEFT. Does that mean that when x(t)= Acos(wt+phi) then v(t)= -wAsin(wt+phi) therefore v(0)=-wAsin(phi) = - 20 and Vmax= wa= -20 or positive 20. When it...
  36. J

    Angular frequency of oscillation

    A mass m is suspended vertically by a spring of force constant k. Derive the relation \omega \geq \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}} where \omega is the (angular) frequency of oscillation. The only way I know to do this is to solve the differential equation \ddot{y} + \frac{k}{m}y = 0 using y = A\cos(\omega t +...
  37. wolram

    Self-Oscillation: Find Prime Oscillation in Universe

    One has to provide an input to start an oscillation, but that input can be removed and the oscillation will continue. So when we talk about space time, if the original, "input", is no longer present we are looking at an effect and have to guess the cause. So could we work backwards...
  38. U

    Calculating Amplitude of Oscillation for Colliding Objects on a Spring

    For lunch you and your friends decide to stop at the nearest deli and have a sandwich made fresh for you with 0.300 kg of Italian ham. The slices of ham are weighed on a plate of mass 0.400 kg placed atop a vertical spring of negligible mass and force constant of 200 N/m. The slices of ham are...
  39. W

    Calculating Oscillation Amplitude & Period of Deli Plate

    Hi I'm attempting this question and I'm wondering if this is the correct way of going about it or if I'm completely off track: For lunch you and your friends decide to stop at the nearest deli and have a sandwich made fresh for you with 0.300 kg of Italian ham. The slices of ham are weighed on...
  40. A

    Report on Damped Oscillation: Amplitude, Applications, Comparisons

    i am going to write a report about damped oscillation . as i planned , i will discuss the amplitude decays exponentially with time , application . but that are too little to talk to then what things need to be further discuss? and one question if i use one small card and bid card to damp...
  41. S

    Period of Oscillation for a Hoop of Mass 0.420 kg & Radius 0.130 m

    A hoop of radius 0.130 m and mass 0.420 kg is suspended by a point on its perimeter as shown in the figure. If the hoop is allowed to oscillate side to side as a pendulum, what is the period of small oscillations? T = 2pi (mgl/I)^.5 I assume that l = r, since center of mass is in the...
  42. P

    Oscillation of rope problem

    A 55.0 kg circus performer oscillates up and down at the end of a long elastic rope at a rate of once every 8.40 s. The elastic rope obeys Hooke's Law. By how much is the rope extended beyond its unloaded length when the performer hangs at rest? I drew a free body diagram and summed up the...
  43. W

    Steve Asks: "Do Neutrinos Oscillate in Vacuum?

    Hi, I'm Steve, the new guy. After a long literature search, I have been unable to find any reference to experimental confirmation of neutrinos of any type oscillating in a vacuum. All of the many models under discussion seem to assume that they oscillate, but nowhere have I been able to find a...
  44. H

    Is damped oscillation a kind of forced oscillation?

    I am confused! Forced oscillation is the one which a periodic force is imposed on a oscillating system. For a damped oscillator, the damping force is proportional to velocity which varies periodically. Does it mean that the damping force is a periodic force and the damped oscillation is a...
  45. E

    Solving Oscillation Questions: Calculating Mass and Frequency

    'A block is attached to a vertical spring whose spring constant is 150 N/m. It is droped from rest with the spring at its natural length, and the block has a speed of 75.0 cm after droping a distance of 8 cm. Calculate the mass of the block.' Now i know k = 150. v = 0.75 and x = 0.08. I also...
  46. W

    Optical Emission - due to Acceleration or Oscillation

    Three Interconnected Questions: 1. When an atom is excited by a visible photon (KE=1 eV), does the probability (radial) density increase for the valence electrons or not? 2. If the probability density has increased outward, then what normally causes the excited state to begin the process...
  47. A

    Frequency of Oscillation for Differently Massed Balls

    consider a Newtons cradle consisting of decreasing masses from the left to the right. if the left most ball is displaced and collides with the others, we end up with a fan like picture whereby the lightest ball, furthest to the right, has the greatest velocity, and the largest ball has the least...
  48. M

    Electric Charge Oscillation & Light Waves

    If an moving electric charge produces light waves what is it is oscillating?
  49. R

    Maximum Acceleration of Oscillating Blocks

    Im not sure exactly what to do with a part of this problem A 5 kg block is fastened to a vertical spring that has a spring constant of 1000 Newtons per meter. A 3 kg block rests on top of the 5 kg block. The blocks are pushed down and released so that they oscillate. Determine the...
  50. P

    What is the frequency of the oscillation?

    A massless spring hangs from the ceiling with a small object attached to its lower end. The object is initially held at rest in a position yi such that the spring is at its rest length. The object is then released from yi and oscillates up and down, with its lowest position being 10 cm below...
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