Flashcards on Mechanical oscillator: mass on a spring and damping
Mechanical Oscillator: Mass on a Spring and Damping Guide
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Mechanical Oscillators
25 cards
Card 1
Question: What defines a mechanical oscillator?
Answer: Mechanical oscillators are systems that exhibit periodic motion, repeatedly moving back and forth around an equilibrium position.
Card 2
Question: What is the mathematical expression for Hooke's Law?
Answer: F = −k·x
Card 3
Question: In Hooke's Law (F = −k·x), what does the negative sign indicate?
Answer: The negative sign indicates that the restoring force always acts in the direction opposite to the displacement, trying to restore the spring to its eq
Card 4
Question: What does 'k' represent in Hooke's Law, and what are its units?
Answer: k is the spring constant (or stiffness constant), measured in Newtons per meter (N/m).
Card 5
Question: What type of motion occurs when a mass is attached to a spring and oscillates without external forces or energy loss?
Answer: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
Card 6
Question: What is the defining characteristic equation of Simple Harmonic Motion for a mass-spring system?
Answer: m·a = −k·x
Card 7
Question: How is acceleration related to displacement in Simple Harmonic Motion?
Answer: The acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement and always directed towards the equilibrium position.
Card 8
Question: What is the period (T) of oscillation in a mass-spring system?
Answer: The period (T) is the time it takes for one complete oscillation.
Card 9
Question: What is the formula for the period (T) of an undamped mass-spring oscillator?
Answer: T = 2π√(m/k)
Card 10
Question: How does increasing the mass (m) affect the period (T) of a mass-spring oscillator?
Answer: A larger mass (m) leads to a longer period, meaning the oscillations are slower.