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. A

    Long report on timing oscillation. help

    long report on timing oscillation. help! i'd like to ask how do we write a long report on an experiment ( timing oscillation) pls help! the links of this experiment handout: http://hk.geocities.com/touchthetrace/time1.jpg http://hk.geocities.com/touchthetrace/time2.jpg i'd like to ask...
  2. M

    Spring oscillation with friction

    I think I'm getting really confused by sign changes... can someone help me with this? Spring with spring constat K stands vertically, and mass m is placed on top. Mass is gradually lowered to its euqilirium position. With the spring held at this compression length, the system is rotated to...
  3. Q

    GRE 61, small oscillation problem

    A long, straight, and massless rod pivots about one end in a vertical plane. In configuration I, two small identical masses are attached to the free end; in configuration II, one mass is moved to the center of the rod. What is the ratio of the frequency of small oscillations of configuration II...
  4. D

    Is Harmonic Oscillation Independent of Gravity?

    Ok so this is propably borderline college :) But it is the first college course I'm in so don't bash me if this is too basic for this forum. (btw hi I'm new) Well the question in the book is as follows: "A mass m is attatched to the end of a helical spring (spring constant k) which hangs...
  5. B

    How to begin oscillation in steady state?

    I need to find the initial conditions such than an underdamped harmonic oscillator will immediately begin steady-state motion under the time dependent force F = m f cosωt. For the underdamped case: x(t) = ae^{-\gamma t}cos(\Omega t+\alpha)+\frac{f}{r}cos(\omega t-\theta) and if it matter...
  6. R

    Simple oscillation problem - help needed

    "An object is moving along the x-axis in simple harmonic motion. It starts from its equilibrium position which is at the origin at t=0 and is moving to the right. The amplitude of its motion is 2 m and its frequency is 3 hz. (1) Determine the expression for the objects displacement. (2) Where is...
  7. C

    Damped Oscillation: Understanding Phase Difference

    In my notes, there are two sentences make me feel strange... As we know, the pendulum whose length equals to that of the friver pendulum, its natural frequency of oscillation if the same of the frequency of the driving one. This is known as resonance oscillation. However, somewhere I found...
  8. T

    Having difficulty with this Oscillation problem

    This question is quite interesting: A uniform meter stick of mass M is pivoted on a hinge at one end and held horizontal by a spring with spring constant k attached at the other end. If the stick oscillates up and down slightly, what is it's frequency? The length of the stick is one meter...
  9. M

    Maximum amplitude of oscillation of a block

    I've been staring at this problem for a loonnng time and i just can't figure it out:(.. i would appreciate it if someone could help me...thx! :) A large block with mass 26 kg executes horizontal simple harmonic motion as it slides across a frictionless surface with a frequency 1:9 Hz ...
  10. mindcircus

    Harmonic Oscillation Energy

    Consider a simple harmonic oscillator. Calculate the time averages of the kinetic and potential energies over one cycle, and show that these quantities are equal. Next, calculate the space averages of the kinetic and potential energies. I'm completely confused about these terms. Time...
  11. S

    Need help with conduction and oscillation question.

    Hi, these two questions have been boggling me for a week.. if anyone can I help I'd be very appreciative. The first one is.. A cylindrical rod of length 1.5 m and radius 0.02 m is insulated to prevent heat loss through its curved surface. One end is attached to a thermal reservoir at 573...
  12. S

    I'm looking at this question:'If we assume as oscillation of form

    I'm looking at this question: 'If we assume as oscillation of form y = Aexp(iwt) what is the operator w? What then is the operator for frequency f?' I have no idea what is ment by operator. I've tried looking it up in books and the net, but the explinations I am finding just aint helping...
  13. fstam2

    What is the acceleration of a block in simple harmonic oscillation at t=3.0s?

    Simple Harmonic Oscillation Hello, I am new here and wish I had found this forum earlier in the semester. Here is the situation: A block (mass m=0.75 kg) rests on a horizontal surface (frictionless), attached to a horizontal spring (k=235 N/m). At time t=0, the block is located at the...
  14. wolram

    Understanding Gravity Wave Production: Exploring Space-Time Oscillation

    i have looked on the net but i can not find a site that explains the MECHANICS of gravity wave production, as i understand it is an oscillation in space time, if gravity is warped space time how can the destruction of a massive body make it oscilate, it implies some sort of bounce, but how...
  15. Hydr0matic

    Exploring Wave Behaviour of EM Waves Based on Oscillation Patterns

    I have an idea that I've tried to express on this forum before but without success. There's a lot of reasoning behind the idea so it won't do no good just blurting it out. I want to lead you and see if you reach the same conclusion... So here goes... First question... In classical physics...
  16. D

    Simple Pendulum Oscillation: Answers and Explanations for Common Test Questions

    Hello, I have two test questions that I missed AT school so i wrote them down. I wanted to know the correct answers as well as a short description of how they came up with that. 1) a simple pendulum consists of a mass attached to a weightless string L. For this system when undergoing small...
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