harmonic oscillator

American  

[hahr-mahn-ik ahs-uh-lay-ter] / hɑrˈmɑn ɪk ˈɑs əˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. Physics. a system in which oscillations occur when something that is in equilibrium, such as a pendulum at rest, is displaced from its stability, as when the pendulum starts to swing, but a restoring force pulls it back, only to create a repeating back-and-forth pattern, as with the pendulum whose rest position remains in the center of its pattern of motion.

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harmonic oscillator Scientific  

1. A physical system in which some value oscillates above and below a mean value at one or more characteristic frequencies. Such systems often arise when a contrary force results from displacement from a force-neutral position, and gets stronger in proportion to the amount of displacement. For example, pulling or pushing the end of a spring from its rest position results in a force pushing back toward the rest position. Letting the spring go from a position of tension results in harmonic motion of the spring; the spring is now a harmonic oscillator. Other examples include a swinging pendulum, a vibrating violin string, or an electronic circuit that produces radio waves.

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Example Sentences

Such a system is also called a simple harmonic oscillator.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

If the spring constant of a simple harmonic oscillator is doubled, by what factor will the mass of the system need to change in order for the frequency of the motion to remain the same?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

At what positions is the speed of a simple harmonic oscillator half its maximum?

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Figure 16.9 An object attached to a spring sliding on a frictionless surface is an uncomplicated simple harmonic oscillator.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Give an example of a simple harmonic oscillator, specifically noting how its frequency is independent of amplitude.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015