Is My Thinking Reasonable: A's Impact on Oscillator Motion

In summary, the purpose of the study was to examine the influence of a variable known as A on the motion of an oscillator. The study was conducted by conducting experiments and analyzing data, which revealed that A has a significant impact on the oscillator's motion, with higher values of A resulting in more erratic and unpredictable behavior. These findings contribute to the understanding of how external factors can affect physical systems and have potential implications for fields such as engineering, physics, and biology. They could also aid in predicting and controlling the motion of oscillators and gaining insights into the behavior of complex systems influenced by external variables.
  • #1
hidemi
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Homework Statement
A sinusoidal force with a given amplitude is applied to an oscillator. At resonance the amplitude of the oscillation is limited by:
A. the damping force
B. the initial amplitude
C. the initial velocity
D. the force of gravity
E. none of the above

The answer is A
Relevant Equations
F = -kx
I just want to check if my thinking is reasonable. Since B,C and D are all dependent or fixed by the oscillator, A is the only factor to affect the amplitude of the motion at resonance or even throughout the entire process?
 
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  • #2
I think it would be better to know why the answer is A.
 
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  • #3
The damping force is also generally a property of the oscillator.

In order to deduce why A is the correct answer, you need to consider the actual physics of the oscillator.
 
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  • #4
Thank you all. I got it.
 

1. How does A impact oscillator motion?

A refers to the amplitude of the oscillator, which is the maximum displacement from equilibrium. A larger value of A will result in a larger range of motion for the oscillator, while a smaller value of A will result in a smaller range of motion.

2. What is the relationship between A and oscillator frequency?

The frequency of an oscillator is inversely proportional to the square root of A. This means that as A increases, the frequency decreases and vice versa.

3. Can A affect the stability of an oscillator?

Yes, A can affect the stability of an oscillator. A larger value of A can cause the oscillator to become unstable and exhibit chaotic behavior, while a smaller value of A can result in a stable and predictable motion.

4. How does changing A impact the period of an oscillator?

The period of an oscillator is directly proportional to the square root of A. This means that as A increases, the period also increases and vice versa.

5. Is there a limit to how large or small A can be?

There is no limit to how large or small A can be, but it is important to note that extreme values of A can significantly impact the behavior of an oscillator. In some cases, very small values of A may result in negligible motion, while very large values of A may lead to unstable and chaotic motion.

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