Forced Oscillation (in one dimension)

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how the voice of an opera singer can easily shatter the wine glass? Or how a radio manages to play the selected frequency channel only? The answer to this is forced oscillation and resonance. 

Today, in this article on the understanding of forced oscillation, you will get detailed information on oscillation in physics, forced oscillation, resonance, types of resonance, and other related topics. So, without further ado, let us get started with the forced oscillation in the physics study material.

What is Oscillation? 

Oscillation is a critical term of physics that can be defined as the regular variations in the magnitude of the position about a certain point. In simple terms, it is a repetitive variation, mainly in time. It is a regular movement that occurs at fixed intervals in a systematic rhythm. Some common examples of oscillation include simple pendulum alternating current. Here are the three parameters that govern the oscillation. Let’s have a look – 

• Oscillation amplitude
• Oscillation frequency
• Period of oscillation

Types of Oscillation

There are mainly three types of oscillation, including the damped oscillation, free oscillation, and forced oscillation. Let’s discuss each of these briefly. 

Damped Oscillation 

The damped oscillation can be described as the oscillation that fades away with time. Because of regular damping, the oscillation’s amplitude decreases as time passes which leads to loss of energy from the system in overcoming external forces such as air resistance and friction. Generally, damped oscillation is further classified into two major parts. These include – 

• Natural damping 
• Artificial damping 

Free Oscillation 

In the free oscillation, there is a continuous period and amplitude without any outside force for setting the oscillation. In simple words, the free Oscillation does not include damping. In this type of oscillation, the frequency, energy, and amplitude remain the same. 

Forced Oscillation in Detail 

Have you ever thought about why the squad of soldiers refused to march across the bridge but asked to run? It happens because if they start to march, their frequency may match the bridge’s natural frequency, which can be dangerous for the bridge and thus nearby people. The forced oscillation can be described as when the body oscillates as it has come under the influence of any external periodic force. 

Here, the oscillation amplitude experiences damping; however, it remains the same as it remains the same as outside energy is applied to it. One common forced oscillation example in real life is when you ask someone to push you on the swing, they need to keep pushing to maintain the speed, else it will reduce, and after a point, the swing will stop. 

What is Resonance?

Resonance can be described as a phenomenon where an external vibrating system promotes another system for oscillating with greater amplitude when the frequencies of both systems are almost same. This frequency is termed resonant frequency. At resonance frequency,  you will notice that the amplitude is greatest.

Types of Resonance

There are mainly six types of resonance. These are listed below – 

• Acoustic (in instruments) – The acoustic resonance is the mechanical vibrations that happen within the 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range which is audible
• Mechanical (in bridges) – When the vibration frequency of the system is the same as its oscillation frequency, the mechanical resonance absorbs maximum energy
• Electrical (in electrical circuits) – In the electrical circuits, the electrical resonance phenomena is observed
• Optical resonance – Resonant optical cavity, also known as optical resonators, is used widely in lasers
• Orbital resonance – In orbital resonance, a regular and periodic gravitational force is excreted by two orbiting bodies
• Particle resonance – In particle resonance, molecules, atoms, and other particles influence one another

Conclusion 

With this, we end our study material on forced oscillation (in one dimension). In this Introduction to forced oscillation (in one dimension), we studied that when the body oscillates, it has come under the influence of any external periodic force. Here, the oscillation amplitude experiences damping; however, it remains the same as it remains the same as outside energy is applied to it.

We covered Introduction to forced oscillation (in one dimension), what is oscillation, types of oscillation, what is resonance, different types of resonance, along with their brief discussion and other related topics in detail. We hope the forced oscillation (in one dimension) study material must have helped attain a greater understanding of this topic.