Physics 20 Oscillatory Motion

Front 1

oscillation vs cycle

Back 1

oscillation: repetitive back and forth motion
cycle: one complete oscillation

Front 2

period (T) vs frequency

Back 2

Period (s): time it takes for 1 oscillation
frequency (Hz): number of oscillations occurring in 1 second

Front 3

oscillatory motion

Back 3

occurs when the period of each cycle for an object remains constant

Front 4

restoring force

Back 4

- if the spring is stretch, there is a restoring force acting in the direction opposite the displacement
- restoring force always acts in a direction opposite to the displacement
- when describing the restoring force, Hookes law...
F = -kx

Front 5

simple harmonic motion

Back 5

- special type of oscillatory motion
- oscillatory motion where restoring force is proportional to the displacement of the mass
*greater the displacement of an object (from equilibrium) greater the acceleration aαd
* due to restoring force that is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium
Fαd

Front 6

equilibrium position

Back 6

- when an object (in a spring/pendulum) is at rest and Fnet = 0N
- whenever the object is pulled from its equilibrium position, a force in the system pulls it back to equilibrium.

Front 7

amplitude

Back 7

maximun distance the object moves from its equilibrium position

** PERIOD IS INDEPENDENT FROM AMPLITUDE **

Front 8

resonant frequency

Back 8

natural frequency with which the object tends to vibrate. all objects have a resonant frequency.

Front 9

forced frequency

Back 9

frequency at which a force is applied to an object to match its resonant frequency. affects the amplitude - but not the frequency - of the swing.
ex. pushing someone on the swing

Front 10

mechanical resonance

Back 10

applying a force at a frequency that matches resonant frequency in a system to produce an increase in the amplitude of the oscillation.

Front 11

damping

Back 11

decrease in the amplitude due to an applied force of friction.