**Introduction**

In the realm of mechanical engineering, understanding the behavior of vibrating systems is

paramount for designing efficient and stable structures. Experimentation serves as a cornerstone
for validating theoretical principles and enhancing practical knowledge. The following
introduction delineates the objectives, safety precautions, theoretical framework, experimental
setup, procedure, and observations pertinent to Experiment No. 1, focusing on Free and Forced
Vibration with Damping for a 1-DOF System.

**Objectives**

The experiment aims to achieve three primary objectives:

1. Investigate the variation of the undamped natural frequency with the vibrating mass.
2. Study damped free vibration and ascertain the damping ratio.
3. Explore forced vibration excited by an oscillating support.

**Theoretical Framework**

The experiment operates within the mathematical model of an ideal 1-DOF system, comprising a
rigid mass connected to a fixed support via a spring and a viscous damper. The system's equation
of motion governs its behavior under free and forced vibrations, elucidating phenomena such as
undamped natural frequency and damping ratio.

**Observations and Data Tables**

Crucial observations and data tables enumerate the mass of the cradle, spring stiffness, and linear
speed of Teledeltos paper, laying the foundation for meticulous data collection and analysis.

With this comprehensive introduction, the stage is set for the meticulous execution and analysis
of Experiment No. 1, fostering a deeper understanding of free and forced vibration phenomena in
mechanical systems.
Vibration

Vibration, the periodic back-and-forth motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium,
commonly results when almost any physical system is displaced from its equilibrium condition
and allowed to respond to the forces that tend to restore equilibrium.

The explanation for free vibration

Vibration is a rapid motion back and forth.

The free vibration possesses constant amplitude and period without any external force to set the
vibration.
In free vibration, energy will remain the same, and energy is not added or removed from the
body.
The body keeps vibrating at the same amplitude.
The solution to a free vibration is usually roughly sinusoidal.
Examples of free vibrations are oscillations of a simple pendulum in air free medium.
The explanation for forced vibration

Forced vibration is the term used to describe when an external periodic force causes a body to
vibrate.
Here, the system is given external energy, which causes the vibration's amplitude to damp yet
keep constant.
In forced vibration energy gets added to the vibrating body.
The forced vibration is either damped or undamped.
An example of forced vibrations is when a washing machine shakes due to an imbalance.