Oscillations Definition and 518 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. M

    Why Does the Period of a Pendulum Increase with Distance?

    Homework Statement A solid, uniform disk of mass M and radius a may be rotated about any axis parallel to the disk axis, at variable distances from the center of the disk. If you use this disk as a pendulum bob, what is T(d), the period of the pendulum, if the axis is a distance d from the...
  2. Y

    Questions About Neutrino Oscillations - Answered by Sam

    I have a few questions about Neutrino Oscillations... Firstly, why are they called oscillations? Is it because they can go back and forth to different flavours/masses? Next, if, for example, a tau neutrino is produced in the sun, will it oscillate to the other flavours on its way to earth...
  3. H

    Exploring Waves & Oscillations: Understanding the Fundamentals and Applications

    For this second year course, my school reccommends Differential Equations and Calc II. Are they neccessary? Description: Complex notation; free, damped and forced harmonic oscillations; resonance; AC circuits; coupled oscillators; normal modes; traveling waves; simple harmonic wave; wave...
  4. T

    Neutrino Oscillations: Massiveness & Non-Oscillation of Electrons, Muons & Taus

    Why do only neutrino oscillates (showing massiveness of neutrino)? Why don't electron, muon and tau oscillates?
  5. P

    Find the magnitude of small oscillations

    Homework Statement a rope is tied between 2 walls as shown.a bead of mass 'm' is on the rope as shown. it is constrained to move in the horizontal direction. it is tied to a spring of force constant 'k'- N/m. the spring is initially at its free length 'H'. the bead is displaced by a small...
  6. S

    Floating Block: Period of oscillations

    Homework Statement An oak block of ρ = 0.9 g/cm^3 and dimensions V = 10cm x 20cm x 20cm is floating in water of ρ0 = 1 g/cm^3. The block is slightly pushed into water and then released. Determine period, T, of oscillations. Homework Equations I'm not sure how to derive the set up of the...
  7. G

    Trigonometric identity forced oscillations

    Homework Statement http://www.jyu.fi/kastdk/olympiads/2004/Theoretical%20Question%203.pdf http://www.jyu.fi/kastdk/olympiads/2004/Solution%203.pdf Question A- (b) They use some trigomentric identity that I don't understand, which one is it? Thanks in advance. Homework...
  8. D

    Oscillations of a mass on a spring.

    A mass m suspended from a spring of constant k has a period T. If a mass M is added, the period becomes 3T. Find M in terms of m.T=2pi(m/k)^(1/2) I know that the period varies as the square root of the mass so the mass M should be 9 times that of m. The answer is M=8m. I don't know why it is 8...
  9. A

    Parasitic Oscillations: Explanations & Circuit Models

    Was hoping someone could sum up what parasitic oscillations are (perhaps in terms of some simple circuit equations/models). Currently studying basic Op Amp circuits and during the lab the instructors mentioned this term and everyone seemed to magically know what it refers to :confused: Also...
  10. T

    Oscillations and damping (air resistance)

    If anyone could help with the following, it would be great. I am currently carrying out an experiment for a school project to see how damping affects and reduces the amplitude of the oscillation of a pendulum. For the pendulum I am using a suspended metre ruler and I will count the number of...
  11. L

    Frequency of small oscillations

    Does anyone know where I can get some information on how you can relate the frequency of small oscillations to the second derivative of potential energy. I saw this done recently in a qualifying exam level problem but I do not remember learning this method and it is not in my classical dynamics...
  12. T

    For what value of d is the frequency of small oscillations largest?

    Homework Statement A coin of radius R is pivoted at a point that is distance d from the center. The coin is free to swing back and forth in the vertical plane defined by the plane of the coin. For what value of d is the frequency of small oscillations largest? Homework Equations...
  13. F

    What Does a CRO Monitor in an Electrical Oscillation Circuit?

    CRO is connected to the batteries, the capacitor and the inductor. actually, i am not sure what the CRO is monitoring? also, i would like to ask if electrical oscillation can be established if the positions of the inductor and the capacitor are interchanged? why?
  14. T

    Solving Oscillations: Bead on a Block & Spring

    Homework Statement A block attached to a spring underneath oscillates vertically with a frequency of 4Hz and an amplitude of 7.00cm. A tiny bead is placed on top of the block jut as it reaches its lowest point. Assume the bead's mass is so small that its effect on the motion of the block is...
  15. W

    Troubleshooting Oscillations in an IF Amplifier

    I'm working on an IF amp and whatever I do it starts oscillating. A monolithic crystal filter 10.7 MHz, about 330 ohm is fed into a nicely designed npn transistor 20 dB amp, with bypass caps all over the sucker. It is in common emmiter configuration. The amp responds nicely to a test signal...
  16. W

    Exploring the Period of Oscillations: A Quiz Question

    Homework Statement Now assume that the x coordinate of point R is 0.12m and the t coordinate of point K is 0.0050 s. What is the period T ? Homework Equations T = 1/f where f is the frequency and T is the period. The Attempt at a Solution From the graph, there are 2...
  17. U

    More Simple Harmonic Oscillations

    An object in simple harmonic motion oscillates with a period of 4.00 s and an amplitude of 9.08 cm. How long does the object take to move from x=0.00 cm to x=5.07 cm? I set up my eqn like this: 0.0908cos(ωt)=0.0507 cos(ωt)=0.583 ωt=56.1 then with ω=90deg I get 0.623s which is slightly...
  18. K

    Oscillations of air-track glider

    A 160 g air-track glider is attached to a spring with spring constant 4.40 N/m. The damping constant due to air resistance is 2.40×10−2 kg/s. The glider is pulled out 23.0 cm from equilibrium and released. How many oscillations will it make during the time in which the amplitude decays to...
  19. S

    Solving the Frequency of Small Oscillations in a Spherical Dish

    A marble of radius b rolls back and forth in a shallow spherical dish of radius R. Find the frequency of small oscillations. You can solve this problem using conservation of energy or using Newton’s second law. Solve it both ways and show that you get the same answer. I kind of get the...
  20. P

    Damped Oscillations: Mass 300 g, k=1.50 N/m, b in kg/s

    A weight of mass m = 300 g hangs vertically from a spring that has a spring constant k = 1.50 N/m. The mass is set into vertical oscillation and after 28 s you find that the amplitude of the oscillation is 1/10 that of the initial amplitude. What is the damping constant b associated with the...
  21. T

    Oscillations of an Exercise Ball

    Hey all, First I wanted to say hello, as I am new to this forum. I'm a third-year physics student at the University of Toronto. Anyhow, the question goes like this: We have an exercise ball (one of those large, inflatable ones) with a diameter of 0.7m. If you've ever seen one of these...
  22. G

    Estimate Spring Constant of H2 Molecule for Vibrational Frequency

    Estimate the spring constant in units of eV/A^2 for the hydrogen (H2) molecule from the potential energy curve shown below, where r is the distance between protons. From the spring constant and the reduced mass m=1/2m(proton), compute the vibrational frequency. This frequency corresponds to...
  23. wolram

    Modified Gravity with Baryon Oscillations: SDSS to WFMOS

    http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0605278 Searching for modified gravity with baryon oscillations: from SDSS to WFMOS Authors: Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Bruce A. Bassett, Robert C. Nichol, Yasushi Suto, Kazuhiro Yahata Comments: 16 pages, submitted to PRD We discuss how the baryon acoustic...
  24. D

    LC Circuit Oscillations: Check My Work and Find Energy and Frequency Details

    I'm not too confident in my work for this problem, so I was wondering if someone could check it over for me. Consider a circuit with 4 elements, C1=100micro farads, C2=50micro farads, L1=20mH, and L2=10mH. At t=0, the capacitors are charged with Q=0.01 Coulomb. There is initially no current...
  25. W

    Small oscillations (normal modes)

    Hi see the attached picture... 2 coupled masses, each suspended from spring in gravitational field... also entire construction can vibrate only vertically... I need to write lagrangian for this system in the following form...
  26. Amith2006

    Archived How Many Oscillations Until Pendulums of Different Lengths Resynchronize?

    Sir, Please help me with this problem. 1) Two simple pendulums of length 1metre and 16 metre respectively are both given small displacements in the same direction at the same instant. They will again be in phase after the shorter pendulum has completed n oscillations. What is the value...
  27. L

    Oscillations of Mass on Beam: Investigating Results

    ok so, my coursework is to measure the oscillations of a mass on a beam to prove that T^2 = k l^3 when k is a constant of proportionality. And basically when plotting the graph of my results, the first 8 results fit exactly on my line of best fit but the last two are completely off. These...
  28. M

    Raw data for neutrino oscillations

    I'm looking to analyse data in favour of neutrino oscillations for my masters project. I know John Bahcall has some on his website, but this is for solar neutrino oscillations and takes account of the MSW effect. Does anyone know where any raw data for atmospheric neutrino oscillations (i.e...
  29. C

    Normal coordinates (small oscillations)

    Hello, I solved the problem of small oscillations for a 3-atom molecule, such as CO2, which is modeled as 3 masses connected by 2 springs. Both springs have a constant k, the outer masses are m and the middle one is M. There are 3 modes of oscillations, and one of them is of course \omega...
  30. I

    Oscillations and Waves of a spring

    Can someone please help me with this question?:confused: A 2.00-kg object is attached to a spring and placed on a horizontal, smooth surface. A horizontal force of 20.0 N is required to hold the object at rest when it is pulled 0.200 m from its equilibrium position (the origin of the x axis)...
  31. P

    Determine the period of the oscillations

    1) A long cylindrical rod of radius, r is weighted on one end so that it floats upright in a fluid having a density. It is pushed down a distance x from its equilibrium position and released. Show that the rod will execute simple harmonic motion if the resistive effects of the fluid are...
  32. B

    Motorcycle/Rider simulation. Problems controlling oscillations.

    Hello, My first post and it's going to be a question =) I hope I can get some replies. Here we go :- I'm constructing a simulation of a motorcycle with rider and I have encountered a problem with oscillation (lack of stability) that I just can't find a solution for. Basically the bike will...
  33. A

    Frequency of Oscillations of Two Joined Springs and Block of Mass 0.245 kg

    Two springs with a spring constant of k = 6430 N/m are joined and connected to a block of mass 0.245 kg. The system is then set oscillating over a frictionless surface. What is the frequency of the oscillations? This is what I think is the correct approach to this question: since the...
  34. K

    Simple Harmonic Motion oscillations

    A 0.49 kg mass attached to a spring (k = 19.8 N m-1) is performing SHM on a smooth horizontal surface. Calculate the periodic time of these oscillations, in s. what equation links with T=2pi/w to give T or how do i use a=-ky/m. thanks in advance
  35. N

    Angular Freq. of small oscillations on a wheel/spring.

    I've been busy finishing my online physics homework, and I cannot get this problem for the life of me (which is annoying because I just finished the relativity and lorentz transformation assignments). If you are good at physics and think you know how to do it, please post your line of thoughts...
  36. C

    Period of small oscillations in central potential

    Hi, A particle is subjected to a central potential of: V(r) = -k\frac{e^{-\alpha r}}{r} Where k, \alpha are known, positive constants. If we make this problem one-dimensional, the effective potential of the particle is given by: V_{eff}(r) = -k\frac{e^{-\alpha r}}{r} + \frac{l^2}{2 m...
  37. P

    Solve Neutrino Oscillations Homework: Eigenspinors & Particle Masses

    I have to make a homework problem about neutrino oscillations, but I already don't know how to answer the first question. Let \Psi_i, i = 1,2 be two spinor fields, with field equation \gamma^{\mu}\partial_{\mu}\Psi_i = - \sum_{j=1}^2 M_{ij} \Psi_j where M_{ij} is a hermitian matrix. Suppose...
  38. G

    A general question on finding the moment of inertia from oscillations.

    Is there a way to find the moment of inertia of an object that is hung from its center of mass, knowing the radius of the string, the period of the oscillation, and the mass of the object? I've been trying to think of how to do this and I don't even know where to start.
  39. A

    How Many People Cause a Bridge to Oscillate with a 75 mm Amplitude?

    I'm doing this problem from Mastering Physics, and I'm really stuck on this problem Assume that, when we walk, in addition to a fluctuating vertical force, we exert a periodic lateral force of amplitude 25 N at a frequency of about 1 Hz. Given that the mass of the bridge is about 2000 kg...
  40. A

    Small Oscillations: Spring Constant & Frequency

    For small oscillations, the oscillation behaves like a spring, because the potential energy function can be approximated by a parabola at the equilibrium point. Now, the effective spring constant in these situations is equal to the second derivative of the potential energy function, and so the...
  41. J

    Underdamped oscillations in an LC circuit

    A square wave pulse (generated using an oscilloscope) is used to induce damped oscillations in a circuit that consits of an inductance L and a capacitance C connected in series. A resistance is present even though no resistor is present in the circuit. a) Find the differential equation for...
  42. V

    Oscillations of a Piston in a cylinder containing a trapped gas

    A frictionless cylinder of cross-sectional area A contains a gas that is trapped by a piston of mass m that fits the cylinder tightly but is free to move up and down. It is open to atmospheric pressure (PA) on one end. The piston is slightly displaced and when released oscillates about its...
  43. D

    Oscillations of 1.5 kg Block on Spring: Frequency and Stretch

    1. A block of mass 1.5 kg is attached to the end of a vertical spring of force constant k=300 N/m. After the block comes to rest, it is pulled down a distance of 2.0 cm and released. (a) What is the frequency of the resulting oscillations? (b) What are the maximum and minimum amounts of...
  44. L

    Oscillations, energy conservation

    A 10g bullet embeds itself in a 0.5kg block which is attached to a spring of force constant 36N/m. If the maximum compression of the spring is 1.5cm, find a)the initial speed of the bullet and b)the time for the bullet-block system to come to rest. can someone give me some help with the above...
  45. V

    Simple Harmonic Motion Oscillations

    Hi, So I'm having a little bit of trouble answering a couple of simple questions regarding simple harmonic motion... [Image] All of this is regarding the really simple image ^ Oscillations are not always described by equations; you should also be able to analyze the graphical...
  46. D

    Force & Oscillations of 2.12 kg Mass on Frictionless Track

    A 2.12 kg mass on a frictionless horizontal track is attached to the end of a horizontal spring whose force constant is 4.83 N/m. The mass is displaced 3.12 m to the right from its equilibrium position and then released, which initiates simple harmonic motion. What is the force (including...
  47. C

    Resonance and natural oscillations

    Why does everything have a natural frequency at which it oscillates when struck by a single force and then left to oscillate? Does everything only have one? Does it vary depending on what the original force to cause it to oscillate was? Also, why does force imposed at natural frequency casue...
  48. S

    How Is the Period of a Pendulum Affected by Inertia and Center of Mass?

    A heavy circular disc with radius R with mass M is fastened to a light string rod. The mass of the rod is negligible compared to the mass of the disc. The system can oscillate as a physical pendulum aout a fixed horizontal axis. The length of the rod is L. Determine the period of small...
  49. S

    Calculating the Period of Oscillations of a Homogenous Disc

    A homogenous disc of radius r = 0.20m can oscillate as a physical pendulum around a horizontal acxis O located 0.10 m from teh center of the mass of the disc. The disc is perpendicular to O. Find the period of oscillations of the disc. And graivity is 9.8 m/s^2 Is this anything like a...
  50. N

    Period of Oscillation for a Meter Stick Suspended by a Light String

    A meter stick, suspended at one end by a 0.502m long light string, is set into oscillation. Determine the period of oscillation in seconds. At first I thought this would be a rather simple problem, so I did T=2pi*sqrt(L/g) but apparently this is very wrong. Then I tried w=sqrt(g/l)...
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