Oscillations refer to the repetitive back and forth motion of an object or system around a central point or equilibrium position.
The period of an oscillation is the time taken for one complete cycle or one back and forth motion to occur.
The frequency of oscillations is affected by the mass of the object, the force acting on the object, and the stiffness of the system.
Simple harmonic motion refers to the ideal motion of an object in which it oscillates at a constant frequency without any external forces acting on it. Damped harmonic motion, on the other hand, refers to the motion of an object that experiences a resistive force, causing the amplitude of the oscillations to decrease over time.
Oscillations have a wide range of applications in various fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology. Some examples include pendulum clocks, musical instruments, electrical circuits, and earthquake-resistant buildings.