VICTORI

A
EDUHUB Concept list
Chapter 17 Oscillation
Definition Checklist
1. Simple Harmonic Motion SHM:
A periodic motion where the magnitude of the acceleration is proportional to the
magnitude of the displacement about the equilibrium position. The direction of the
acceleration is opposite to the direction of displacement. (a=−ω 2 x )

2. x 0 Amplitude
The maximum displacement of an oscillator from its equilibrium position.

3. T Period:
The total time taken for one complete oscillation.

4. f Frequency (unit Hz):

The number of complete oscillations per unit time.

5. ω Angular frequency (rads−1): ω=2 πf =2 π /T

The rate of change of phase of an oscillation.
or
The frequency of a sinusoidal oscillation expressed in radians per second.

6. Phase difference:
The fraction of a cycle between two oscillating particles, expressed in either degrees or
∆t
radians. ( phase difference= ×2 π , where ∆ t is the difference of time between the two
T
oscillator and T is the period of the oscillation).

7. Free oscillation:
Oscillations without periodic external driving force, oscillating at its natural frequency.

8. Forced oscillation:
Oscillations driven by a periodic driving force, oscillating at the driving frequency of
the driver.

9. Natural frequency:
The frequency of the system in free oscillation.

10. Damping:

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 VICTORI
A
EDUHUB Concept list
The dissipation of energy of an oscillating system due to the resistive force, resulting in a
decrease in the amplitude of the oscillation.

11. Light Damping or underdamped:

The energy and the amplitude of the oscillating system decrease gradually with
continuous oscillation due to a small resistive force.

12. Heavy Damping or overdamped:

The energy and the amplitude of the oscillating system decrease gradually without
continuous oscillation due to a large resistive force.

13. Critical Damping:

The energy and the amplitude of the oscillating system decrease in the quickest time
possible to zero without further oscillation when the restive force equals to a critical
value.

14. Resonance:
When the driving frequency of a driver approximately equals to the natural frequency
of an oscillating system, the amplitude of the system is at a maximum value. The
frequency where resonance occurs is called resonance frequency.

Concept Checklist
1. How the degree of damping affects resonance?
The larger the degree of damping, the smaller the maximum amplitude of the system
when resonance occurs. The resonance frequency decrease slightly as well when the
degree of damping increases.

2. Describe the change of energy of a simple harmonic motion during one complete
oscillation.
The kinetic energy of the system will convert to the potential energy. Then the potential
energy will convert back to kinetic energy. This process will occur twice for each
complete oscillation. (Notes: the type of potential energy depends on the type of SHM
described in the question.)

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