A harmonic oscillator is a system that exhibits periodic motion, meaning it repeats the same pattern over and over again. It is characterized by a restoring force that is directly proportional to the displacement from its equilibrium position.
The distance traveled by a harmonic oscillator in 1 period is equal to the amplitude of the oscillation multiplied by 2π. This is known as the wavelength and represents the total distance traveled by the oscillator from one point to the same point in the next period.
The distance traveled by a harmonic oscillator in 1 period is affected by three main factors: the amplitude of the oscillation, the frequency of the oscillation, and the mass of the oscillator. A larger amplitude or frequency will result in a longer distance traveled, while a larger mass will result in a shorter distance traveled.
The distance traveled by a harmonic oscillator in 1 period can be calculated using the formula: distance = amplitude x 2π. This formula assumes that the oscillator starts and ends at the same point in its motion.
Some examples of objects that exhibit harmonic motion include a swinging pendulum, a mass-spring system, and a guitar string. Other examples include a child on a swing, a bouncing ball, and a tuning fork.