Oscillation Definition and 769 Threads

Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. The term vibration is precisely used to describe mechanical oscillation. Familiar examples of oscillation include a swinging pendulum and alternating current.
Oscillations occur not only in mechanical systems but also in dynamic systems in virtually every area of science: for example the beating of the human heart (for circulation), business cycles in economics, predator–prey population cycles in ecology, geothermal geysers in geology, vibration of strings in guitar and other string instruments, periodic firing of nerve cells in the brain, and the periodic swelling of Cepheid variable stars in astronomy.

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  1. D

    Solve Neutrino Oscillation Unit Conversion Problem

    Homework Statement I doubt that my problem is supposed to be in the Advanced Physics forum, but the subject is advanced. Okay, my problem is pretty stupid. The assignment is deriving a probability using some approximations and such, for 2-neutrino oscillation. I can do the entire calculation...
  2. A

    What's quality factor in oscillation ?

    What's "quality factor" in oscillation ? I want to know why and how it was defined ? Is it useful in some ways ?
  3. W

    Oscillation Period in a Lighthouse?

    Homework Statement A visitor to a lighthouse wishes to determine the height of the tower. She ties a spool of thread to a small rock to make a simple pendulum, which she hangs down the center of a spiral staircase of the tower. The period of oscillation is 10.4 s. The acceleration of gravity...
  4. T

    What Is the Maximum Oscillation Amplitude for an Ultrasonic Transducer?

    An ultrasonic transducer, of the type used in medical ultrasound imaging, is a very thin disk (m = 0.12 g) driven back and forth in SHM at 0.9 MHz by an electromagnetic coil. (a) The maximum restoring force that can be applied to the disk without breaking it is 36,000 Newtons. What is the...
  5. S

    Block on Incline with oscillation

    Homework Statement Block on Incline In Fig. 16-35, a block weighing 17.0 N is able to slide without friction on a 32.0° incline. It is connected to the top of the incline by a massless spring of unstretched length 0.475 m and spring constant 110 N/m. Figure 16-35 (a) How far down the...
  6. B

    Oscillation: Musical Tube and String

    Homework Statement A brass tube of mass 22 kg and length 1.3 m is closed at one end. A wire of mass 9.7 g and length 0.39 meters is stretched near the open end of the tube. When the wire is plucked, it oscillates at its fundamental frequency. By resonance, it sets the air column in the tube...
  7. K

    Oscillation Frequency, Total Mechanical Energy, and Initial Speed

    Homework Statement The figure shows a block on a frictionless surface attached to a spring. The block is pulled out to position x_i = 20 cm, then given a "kick" so that it moves to the right with speed v_i. The block then oscillates with an amplitude of 44 cm. Image of the problem -...
  8. L

    How R2 & C1 Reduce Oscillation in IG1 Circuit

    Okay, I've re-tooled my question. What role do R2 and C1 play in dampening a sine wave on the current supply IG1 in the following circuit? I want to understand the fundamental theory behind this.
  9. L

    Resistor 'absorbs' oscillation?

    I have a tiny bit of current fluctuation on one of my lines. If i put a lil 500ohm resistor in the line the osillations on the other end substantially decrease. Why? Does the resistor effectively 'absorb' these oscillations?
  10. I

    The oscillation of liquid in U tube which has an acceleration

    Homework Statement The U tube contains the liquid.The length of the liquid in U tube is L. If U tube has an acceleration a in X-axis and we make liquid a small oscillation.Find the period of oscillation. The Attempt at a Solution I know the answer is...
  11. H

    What is the Differential Equation for a Non-Linear Torsional Spring Pendulum?

    Homework Statement Consider a pendulum oscillation problem, where pendulum oscillates around the vertical in the downward configuration. Assume that there is no friction at the pivot point around which the pendulum rotates, and assume that there exists a torsional spring that counter acts...
  12. L

    Troubleshooting LT1394 Comparator Oscillation

    I have a LT1394 comparator in a circuit that I'm trying to troubleshoot. The problem is that once the variable voltage approaches the reference, just before a switch, the output signal oscillates between LO and HI. I haven't been able to dive too deeply into it, to figure out if its noise...
  13. B

    Calculation of Oscillation Period- Short Problem

    Homework Statement You drill a hole at the end of a solid thin rod of length 1.3 m, and then attach the rod through this hole onto an approximately frictionless pivot. You then release the rod from rest at a reasonably small angle from vertical, so that it executes simple harmonic motion...
  14. R

    Magnetic Oscillation Equations

    Hi all, I am wondering if someone can please help me with determining the mathematical relationships concerned with magnetic oscillation. My experimental design is as follows: A thin pole is positioned vertically and two ring magnets are placed on it (North Poles facing). The "top"...
  15. D

    Oscillation in zero gravity help

    Is it possible to have mass - spring oscillation in speace ( i.e. zero gravity )?
  16. L

    Bungee Jumper Oscillation: Determine Spring Constant

    A bungee jumper, whose mass is 87 kg, jumps from a tall platform. After reaching his lowest point, he continues to oscillate up and down, reaching the low point two more times in 8.5 s. Ignoring air resistance and assuming that the bungee cord is an ideal spring, determine its spring constant.
  17. Y

    Characteristic modes of oscillation of three masses on a hoop

    Homework Statement Three beads of equal mass m are constrained to lie on a circular hoop of radius a = 1. The beads are connected by identical springs of spring constant k. The equations of motion for displacements are (I am going to use x, y, and z, where x = theta 1, y = theta 2, z =...
  18. O

    How Do You Calculate the Oscillation Period and Energy Gain in an LC Circuit?

    Homework Statement An oscillating LC circuit has a current amplitude of 7.20 mA, a potential amplitude of 250 mV, and a capacitance of 240 nF. (a) What is the period of oscillation? (e) What is the maximum rate at which the inductor gains energy? Homework Equations Possibly: Energy stored in...
  19. K

    Period of Oscillation of a Meter Stick

    Homework Statement Measure the period of oscillation of a meter stick suspended at one end for small amplitudes. Does T = 2*sqrt(2I/mgL) when I is the rotational inertia about one end? Derive this relation. Homework Equations I = rotational inertia m = mass g = gravitational...
  20. F

    Frequency of Oscillation of a monkey hanging from a tree

    Homework Statement A gibbon, hanging onto a horizontal tree branch with one arm, swings with a small amplitude. The gibbon's center of mass is 0.410 m from the branch and its rotational inertia divided by its mass is I/m = 0.289 m2. Estimate the frequency of oscillation. Homework...
  21. M

    How Does a Bar Magnet Oscillate?

    Please help, if a magnet is displaced from its equilibrium position by a small angle (theta), show that it will oscillate with a period T given by T= 2*pi*sqrt(I/mB) I = moment of inertia of the bar magnet and equals M(L^2 + a^2)/12 B = Earth's horizontal component of magnetic field M is...
  22. L

    Spring Oscillation: Find Greatest Speed of 0.5kg Block

    Homework Statement A 0.5 kg block attached to an ideal spring (k = 100 N/m) oscillates on a horizontal frictionless surface. When the spring is 12 cm shorter than its equilibrium length, the speed of the block is 1.5 m/s. What is the greatest speed of the block?Homework Equations The...
  23. M

    How Do You Calculate the Frequency of Oscillation for a Resonating Air Column?

    Do not know how to solve this: A tube 1 meter long is closed at one end. A stretched wire is placed near the open end. The wire is 0.30 meter long and has a mass of 0.010 kg. It is held fixed at both ends and vibrates in its fundamental mode. It sets the air column in the tube into vibration...
  24. S

    What is the maximum amplitude of oscillation of the system

    Homework Statement A large block P executes horizontal simple harmonic motion as it slides across a frictionless surface with a frequency f = 1.5 Hz. Block B rests on it, as shown in the figure, and the coefficient of static friction between the two is 0.6. What is the maximum amplitude of...
  25. J

    How Do You Solve Complex Oscillation Problems in Physics?

    Physics Advanced Oscillation problem, Help Needed! Consider an atom of mass m bonded to the surface of a much larger immobile body by electromagnetic forces. The force binding the atom to the surface has the expression: F= exp((a*cos(z))+(b*sin(z))) +d*tan(z) where a,b, and d are...
  26. C

    Pendulum Oscillation: Q Calculation for 0.7m Length, 0.4kg Mass

    Homework Statement A grandfather clock has a pendulum length of 0.7 m and a mass bob of 0.4 kg. A mass of 2 kg falls 0.8 m in seven days, providing the energy necessary to keep the amplitude (from equilibrium) of the pendulum oscillation steady at 0.03 rad. What is the Q of the system...
  27. C

    Clock Oscillation: Q Calculation for 0.7 m Pendulum w/ 0.4 kg Bob

    Homework Statement A grandfather clock has a pendulum length of 0.7 m and a mass bob of 0.4 kg. A mass of 2 kg falls 0.8 m in seven days, providing the energy necessary to keep the amplitude (from equilibrium) of the pendulum oscillation steady at 0.03 rad. What is the Q of the system...
  28. J

    Find the period of oscillation of a bead on a cycloid string

    Homework Statement Find the period of oscillation of a bead on a cycloid string. If it matters, the original equations of the cycloid were x=a(\theta-sin\theta) and y=a(1+cos\theta) Homework Equations This is a small part of a larger problem... I found the equation of motion of a bead on a...
  29. E

    Solve Coupled Oscillation Homework Problem

    Homework Statement "A particle of mass m is attached to a rigid support by means of a spring of spring constant k. At equilibrium, the spring hangs vertically downward. An identical oscillator is added to this system, the spring of the former being attached to the mass of the latter. Calculate...
  30. B

    How Is Work Calculated in a Forced Oscillation with Resistance During Resonance?

    Homework Statement How can I calculate the work which is produced by the resistance force in a forced oscillation in one period? The only forces on the oscillatory body are the resistance force and the external force. The oscillatory body is in resonance.Homework Equations resistance force...
  31. E

    Simple Harmonic Oscillation frequency

    Homework Statement "A mass stands on a platform which executes simple harmonic oscillation in a vertical direction at a frequency of 5 Hz. Show that the mass loses contact with the platform when the displacement exceeds 10^-2 m." Homework Equations x(t) = a cos(wt - phi) frequecy =...
  32. K

    Adding a mass on an oscillation causing a change in frequency

    Homework Statement A thin uniform rod of mass m is suspended from one end and oscillates with a frequency f. If a small sphere of mass 2m is attached to the other end, does the frequency increase or decrease? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I have reached a conclusion...
  33. G

    Find frequency and period of oscillation

    Homework Statement Consider the pulley to be ideal. If the system disturbed from its equilibrium position by pulling the right hand mass down a slight amount and then released, determine the frequency and period of the oscillation. Radius of pulley is r=2m and I bar of the pulley is 10kg/m2...
  34. S

    Driven Oscillation- Motion of a particle, with given equation.

    Homework Statement Okay.. so I have tried to do this one but no luck. Homework Equations w= 2 * pi* v 1/2 kA^2= 1/2mv^2 + mgh Alright so the question: The motion of a particle is given by x(t)= 25cm* cos 10t What time is the kinetic energy twice the potential energy? Not...
  35. N

    Solving Oscillation Problems with Steel Ruler Measurements

    Homework Statement Steel ruler tip's oscillation amplitude is 1cm, frequency 5Hz. What is the path the ruler's tip goes within 2 seconds? Homework Equations I think I need to find a period so the equations would be T=1/5 s but I'm not sure. The Attempt at a Solution I don't...
  36. F

    Neper frequency, damped harmonic oscillation

    Hi all I'm not sure if this question is better suited for the EE thread or diff eq, but I'm trying to understand what the neper frequency, \alpha, signifies. I know it's supposed to be the damping factor and that its units are rad/second, but I'm not sure what that implies. It would seem to...
  37. B

    Frequency of Oscillation for a Spring with Attached Block

    Homework Statement A spring is hung from the ceiling. When a block is attached to its end, it streches 19.3 cm before reaching its new equilibrim length. The block is then pulled down slightly and released. What is the frequency of the oscillation? Homework Equations f...
  38. D

    Frequency of Oscillation of a Molecule

    Homework Statement Show that the frequency of oscillation, v, of a molecule is related to the form of the inter - atomic potential V(r) about the equilibrium separation, r =ro by the expression, v = (1/2pi).sqrt([d2V/dr2r=ro/(m)]) where m is the reduced mass Homework Equations None given...
  39. X

    Oscillation in Space: Derive an Equation to Determine Period in Years

    In the middle of empty space two equal masses, M = 2.1 solar masses, lie fixed on a horizontal line separated by a distance D = 8.4 AU. Halfway between the masses lies a third mass. The third mass is displaced vertically a distance y where y << D. Due to the gravitational attraction from the...
  40. S

    Coupled oscillation - ball on a balanced rod

    Homework Statement This system consists of a rod balanced on a fulcrum, with a ping pong ball able to slide on the rod. There's a special point some point away from the center where, once the ball is released, will stop moving once it has gotten the same distance on the opposite side of the...
  41. S

    Oscillation Question: Mean Value of x with Constant Force P

    Homework Statement What would be the mean value of oscillation x if f(t)=P. Where P is a constant force. Homework Equations Not known. The Attempt at a Solution Absolutely no idea where to start, happy to just be pointed in the right direction. Thanks
  42. S

    Vertical Oscillation: Solving Wave Problems with Frequency, Amplitude, and Mass

    Homework Statement A wire is 2m in length with a mass of 56g. One end is attached to a support, and the other end is attached to a hanging mass of 5kg. The support oscillates vertically with a frequency of 150Hz and 3cm amplitude. a) What is the speed of a wave as it travels along the...
  43. T

    Electron oscillation frequency, what pushes them away?

    Electron oscillate at their natural frequency. I know the force that brings them back is a force of attractrion (Coulomb law) but what pushes them away?
  44. W

    Spring oscillation question HARD

    Homework Statement Two objects are placed in a 1 dimensional box with springs of different constants at each end of the box. The box is made of wood and has a length of L. The first object has a mass of M and is initially compressed a distance of xinitial onto spring 1 of spring constant k...
  45. O

    Does Elevator Acceleration Affect the Oscillation Period of a Spring?

    Homework Statement A mass attached by a light spring to the ceiling of an elevator oscillates vertically while the elevator ascends with constant acceleration. Is the period greater than, less than, or the same as when the elevator is at rest Homework Equations T=2pi * sqrt(m/k) The...
  46. C

    Period of Oscillation for a Standing Transverse Wave on a Flexible String

    A snapshot of a standing transverse wave on a flexible string is taken when the displacement is at a maximum showing two trough's and two peaks(1.5 waves). The string is 1.52 m long with tension 4.00 N. The total mass of the string is 10.81 g. Find the period of the oscillation. I found the...
  47. L

    What is the oscillation frequency?

    What is mass and speed of the ball? A spring with spring constant 17 N/m hangs from the ceiling. A ball is attached to the spring and allowed to come to rest. It is then pulled down 7.5 cm and released. The ball makes 16 oscillations in 22 s seconds. 1) What is its the mass of the ball? (in...
  48. K

    Acceleration of a mass-spring oscillation

    Homework Statement A mass-spring system oscillates with an amplitude of 3.30 cm. If the spring constant is 231 N/m and the mass is 537 g, determine the mechanical energy of the system. Determine the maximum speed of the object. Determine the maximum acceleration. Homework Equations...
  49. fluidistic

    System of a gas separated with a piston, frequency of oscillation

    Homework Statement In a chamber whose section is A and length is L has two compartments separated by a mobile piston whose mass is m. When the system is in equilibrium, the left compartment has N_1 particles of an ideal gas in a volume of AL_1 while the right compartment has N_2 particles...
  50. C

    Calculating Spring and Damping Constants for a Car Suspension System

    Homework Statement The suspension system of a 2200 kg automobile "sags" 14 cm when the chassis is placed on it. Also, the oscillation amplitude decreases by 55% each cycle. Estimate the values of (a) the spring constant k and (b) the damping constant b for the spring and shock absorber system...
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