Oscillations Summary

Free Oscillations:
d2 x
• Differential Equation: dt2
+ ω2x = 0

• Solution: x(t) = A cos(ωt + δ)

• Common Oscillators:
q
k
– Mass on Spring: ω0 = m
q
g
– Simple Pendulum: ω0 = L
q
mgd
– Physical Pendulum: ω0 = I

• Uncommon Oscillators: Use Forces or Work/Energy to obtain ω0

Damped Oscillations:
bt
• Solution: x(t) = A0 e− 2m cos(ωt + δ)
bt
• The amplitude is time-dependent ! A(t) = A0 e− 2m
q
b 2
• Frequency Shift ! System oscillates at ω= ω02 − ( 2m )

• Classification: if ω is real, the system is underdamped. If it is imagi-

nary, the system is overdamped. If it is zero, the system is critically
damped.

• Energy (Lightly Damped): E = 12 kA(t)2 (or similar)

Driven Oscillations:
F0
• Solution: x(t) = √ cos(ω 0 t + ξ)
m2 (ω02 −ω 02 )2 +(bω 0 )2

• ω 0 is the angular frequency of the driver.

−bω 0
• Phase difference between driver and oscillation: tan(ξ) = m(ω02 −ω 02 )
q
b
• ωresonant = ω0 1 − 2( 2mω 0
)2