What is oscillatory motion: As specified under the definition of oscillatory motion, it is the to and fro movement of an item relative to its mean location. The ideal condition is that the item can remain in oscillatory motion indefinitely in the absence of friction; but, in the real world, this is not possible, and the object must eventually come to rest in equilibrium.
It is necessary to use the term vibration to explain mechanical oscillation because it is found in a swinging pendulum. Similar to this, the beating of the human heart is an example of oscillation in a dynamic system such as the human body.
Illustrations of Oscillatory Motion
The following are some illustrations of oscillatory motion:
- Simple pendulum oscillations are demonstrated.
- The oscillatory motion of musical instrument strings is an example of mechanical oscillatory motion.
- Spring’s ebb and flow
- The electrical phenomenon of alternating current is an example of oscillatory motion.
- In the cosmological model, a series of oscillations can be observed.
Harmonic Motion in its most basic form
Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a type of oscillatory motion-defined for a particle moving along a straight line with an acceleration that is moving towards a fixed point on the line such that the magnitude of the acceleration is proportional to the distance from the fixed point. Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a type of oscillatory motion-defined for a particle moving along a straight line with an acceleration that is moving towards a fixed point on the line such that the magnitude of the acceleration is proportional to the distance
For any simple mechanical harmonic system (such as the weight suspended by the spring from the wall) that has been displaced from its equilibrium position, it is necessary to apply a restoring force that follows Hooke’s law in order to bring the system back into balance. The following is a mathematical representation of the force of restoration:
| F=−kx |
Where,
- F is the restoring elastic force exerted by the spring (N)
- k is the spring constant (Nm-1)
- x is the displacement from equilibrium position (m)
The difference between oscillatory motion and periodic motion is a matter of degree.
Periodic motion is described as motion that repeats itself after a predetermined amount of time has passed. The time period of the periodic motion is a set interval of time that is defined by the periodic motion. Periodic motion can be shown by the movement of the hands of a clock, the rotation of the planets around the sun, and so on.
In physics, oscillatory motion is defined as the to and fro motion of the body around a fixed point in space. Periodic motion includes oscillatory motion, which is a form of periodic motion. Vibrating strings, swinging of a swing, and other examples of oscillatory motion can be found.
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