Oscillatory Motion - Definition, Examples, Types, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Sep 24, 2024 01:06 PM IST

What do you mean by oscillatory motion? or Define oscillatory motion or Oscillatory motion definition

Oscillatory motion meaning: The to and from motion of an object from its mean location. The ideal situation is for the object to remain in oscillatory motion in the absence of friction indefinitely, but this is not achievable in the real world, thus the object must settle into equilibrium.
The term vibration, which is seen in a swinging pendulum, is used to describe mechanical oscillation. Similarly, the human heart's beating is an example of oscillation in dynamic systems. Oscillatory Motion is a type of motion in which an object moves over a spot repeatedly. The optimum situation can be approached in a total vacuum since there will be no air to halt the item in oscillatory motion friction.
The vibration of strings and the movement of a spring are both oscillatory motions in the mechanical world and are the same as mechanical vibration. Periodic motion should not be confused with oscillatory motion. Objects in periodic motions repeat their motion after a set amount of time, whereas objects in oscillatory motions repeat their motion over a defined position.

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What do you mean by oscillatory motion? or Define oscillatory motion or Oscillatory motion definition
Examples of oscillatory motions:
Types of oscillatory motion:
The difference between periodic motion and oscillatory motion:

Oscillatory Motion - Definition, Examples, Types, FAQs

NCERT Physics Notes:

Simple pendulum

Examples of oscillatory motions:

Oscillation of a basic pendulum
Vibrating strings of musical instruments is a mechanical example of oscillatory motion
Movement of a spring
Alternating current is an electrical example of oscillatory motion
A cosmological model shows a series of oscillations.

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Types of oscillatory motion:

Linear Oscillatory Motion and Circular Oscillatory Motion are the two forms of oscillatory motions.

1. The object goes left and right or up and down in linear motion.

The vibration of musical instrument strings,
fluid movement in a U-tube column,
and the floatation of ships or large boats in the sea
are all instances of this type of linear motion.

2. Though the object moves left to right in the circular motion, it does so in a circular way.

The motion of a solid sphere in a half hollow sphere
The motion of a pendulum in a timepiece
A stringed instrument suspended on a nail
Motion of a swing
The motion of a wheel

are some examples of this type of motion.

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Simple harmonic motion:

Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is a type of oscillatory motion specified for a particle travelling along a straight line with an acceleration that is proportional to the distance from a fixed point on the line.

A restoring force that obeys Hooke's law is necessary to restore any simple mechanical harmonic system (system of the weight hanged by the spring to the wall) that has been shifted from its equilibrium position. The mathematical expression of restoring force is as follows:

F=-kx

F is the spring's restoring elastic force (N),

k is the spring constant (Nm-1),

and x is the displacement from equilibrium position (m)

The oscillatory motion's equilibrium position is the place at which oscillations occur, and the oscillating object must pass through this point during each oscillation. The oscillating object comes to a stop on this point after some time when the oscillatory motion stops due to friction in the medium in which it is oscillating.

Vibration is a term used to describe objects that oscillate. There isn't much of a distinction between these two terms. However, in general, when an object moves at high frequencies, it is said to be vibrating, and when it moves at low frequencies, it is said to be oscillating.

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TO and FRO motion:

The forward and backward movement of an object around an equilibrium point is referred to as to and fro. A pendulum, for example, travels from one side to the other before returning to its original position. To and fro motion is the term for this type of movement.

Pendulum to and fro

TO FRO

Periodic motion:

In physics, periodic motion is defined as motion that occurs at regular intervals. A rocking rocker, a bouncing ball, a vibrating tuning fork, a swing in motion, the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, and a water wave are all examples of periodic motion. Sine curves can be used to illustrate periodic waves.

Periodic motion should not be confused with oscillatory motion. Each oscillatory motion is invariably a periodic motion, while each periodic motion does not have to be oscillatory. A periodic motion might be oscillatory or non-oscillatory. The motion of a car wheel, for example, is periodic but not oscillatory, whereas the motion of a stringed object attached to a wall is both periodic and oscillatory.

The difference between periodic motion and oscillatory motion:

Oscillatory motion differs from periodic motion in that periodic motion is defined as motion that repeats itself at regular intervals. The periodic motion's time period is defined as a definite interval of time. Periodic motion is described as the to and fro motion of a body about its fixed position, such as the hands of a clock or the motion of planets around the sun. Oscillatory motion is defined as the to and fro motion of a body about its fixed position. Periodic motion includes oscillatory motion. Vibrating strings, swinging of the swing, and other oscillatory motions are examples.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between an oscillatory motion and an equilibrium point?

An oscillatory motion is one in which an item moves in such a way that it periodically comes to and leaves a fixed point. The equilibrium point is this fixed position. The oscillatory motion's equilibrium position is the place at which oscillations occur, and the oscillating object must pass through this point during each oscillation. Electromagnetic waves, alternating current circuits, and molecular motion are all examples of this.

2. What is Hooke's law?

“The restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position,” according to Hooke's law. A spring is linked to a block and fixed to the wall on a horizontal plane, and the block is placed in such a way that it can move horizontally. When the block slides horizontally away from the wall, the spring strives to recover its position, resulting in oscillatory motion. The restoring force attempts to prevent distortion of the spring. This restorative force comes from

The negative sign in Fs=–kx indicates that the force is acting in the opposite direction of the displacement x. This is known as Hooke's law.

3. What is necessary for oscillatory motion?

Many phenomena, including electromagnetic waves, alternating current circuits, and molecules, require this motion to be studied. Two conditions must be present for a vibration to occur: stiffness and inertia.

4. Which of the following motions is also referred to as periodic motion?

"Oscillatory motion" is motion that repeats over and again after a time T called the "period," and is also known as "periodic motion" with a time T termed the "repeat time."

5. What distinguishes oscillatory motion from other types of motion?

The force in an oscillating system always works in the opposite direction as the particle's movement from the equilibrium point. A restorative force is a force that is either constant or varies with time or position. The ensuing motion is oscillatory as long as the force follows the aforementioned principle.