Vibration Vs Oscillation Vs Wave: What's the difference?

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SUMMARY

Vibration, oscillation, and waves are distinct concepts in physics. Vibration refers to the rapid back-and-forth movement of flexible or deformable bodies, while oscillation pertains to the periodic motion of rigid bodies. Waves are disturbances that transfer energy through a medium without the permanent displacement of the medium itself. Understanding these differences is crucial for applications in fields such as engineering and physics.

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koolraj09
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Hi all,
I am confused about the terms: Vibration, oscillation and waves. Is vibration and oscillation same or are they different?
My understanding is vibration is associated with flexible/deformable bodies and oscillation for rigid bodies. Waves not really having an idea!
Any examples of difference which can be observed?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Have you looked up "wave", "oscillation", or "vibration" in the dictionary?

It's best to start by understanding what each term means using an accepted reference, rather than blindly speculating.
 

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