Oscillating Systems
General Oscillations, Simple Harmonic Motion, Equations of Motion
Oscillations are one of the most prevalent phenomena in our universe. From a swinging tree branch, to molecular vibrations, even to the orbits of celestial bodies, repetitive events happen everywhere in nature. Simple harmonic oscillators (SHO) are specific type of oscillation where the motion can be described by sinusoidal functions and the time per revolution (period) is independent of the amplitude of the vibration.
SHM Case Studies: Pendulums & Strings
Masses connected to ideal springs and simple pendulums are examples of Simple Harmonic Oscillators. When set into motion the masses will oscillate back and forth in a predictable sinusoidal way. These two systems provide excellent case studies in SHO.
Damped Oscillations, Driven Oscillations & Resonance
Alas, most oscillations are fleeting as the collective dance of energy between kinetic and potential gives way to the entropy gods. The culprit is usually a form of friction, which takes the ordered energy and transforms it into intractable random motion of atoms. Ultimately it ends up as thermal energy.
