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Oscillator

Definition

An oscillator refers to any system that exhibits periodic motion around an equilibrium position.

Analogy

Picture yourself riding on a roller coaster. As it goes up and down, your body moves back and forth repeatedly. In this analogy, you are like an oscillator experiencing periodic motion.

Related terms

Periodic Motion: Periodic motion refers to any type of repetitive movement that occurs over regular intervals of time.

Harmonic Motion: Harmonic motion describes oscillatory behavior where restoring forces are proportional to displacements from an equilibrium position.

Damping: Damping refers to the gradual decrease in amplitude of an oscillating system over time due to energy dissipation.

"Oscillator" appears in:

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.