What is the amplitude of oscillations? How to find the amplitude?

Starting from the seventh grade, schools begin to teach such a topic as "Mechanical vibrations." Starting from the exam and ending with the exam, this topic can be traced in many exams and entrance examinations. An important part of it is the study of the concept of amplitude of oscillations. Therefore, for a start, we will get acquainted with what is the amplitude of the oscillations and how the amplitude of the oscillations in physics is denoted, because much is forgotten over time, and for some reason this particular variable is given the least attention to this variable.

What is the oscillation amplitude?

The amplitude of the oscillations is the maximum possible deviation or shift of the value up or down from the equilibrium position or from the average value. For example, for a spring pendulum, the equilibrium position is the load resting on the spring, and when it begins to move, it acquires a certain amplitude, which is determined by the tension or compression of the spring.

For the mathematical pendulum, itโ€™s a bit simpler - the maximum deviation of the load from the rest position is the amplitude of the oscillations.

While the amplitude of the oscillations of the radio waves is considered precisely by the deviation from the average value.

Now we turn to what letter denotes the amplitude of the oscillations.

Designation

In the seventh grade, children are taught to designate the amplitude of oscillations with a simple letter "A". For example: A = 4 cm, that is, the amplitude is four centimeters.

But already in the eighth grade, students learn such a thing as mechanical work, and it is in physics that it is indicated by the letter "A". Pupils begin to get confused in these values, and by the 10-11th grade they do not have a clear idea of โ€‹โ€‹how the amplitude of oscillations in physics is denoted.

In the case of spring and mathematical pendulums, it is best to record the amplitude through the maximum values. That is, Hmax. means the maximum deviation from the equilibrium position. For example, Hmax. = 10 cm, that is, the spring, as an option, will stretch a maximum of 10 cm. This will be the amplitude of the oscillations.

In the 11th grade, graduates study electromagnetic waves. And there are fluctuations in charge, voltage and current. In order to record the voltage amplitude, it is customary to designate it as the maximum value. For charge and other quantities, respectively.

How to find the amplitude of the oscillations?

Fluctuation chart

Usually, in the problems of finding the amplitude, a graph is presented similar to that shown in the picture above. In this case, the amplitude will be the maximum value along the vertical Y axis. The amplitude is shown in red.

For example, this figure shows a graph of the oscillations of a mathematical pendulum.

graph with numbers

Knowing that the amplitude of oscillations of a mathematical pendulum is the maximum distance from the equilibrium position, we can determine that the maximum value is X = 0.3 cm.

Find the amplitude using calculations in the following ways:

1. If the load makes harmonic vibrations and the task knows the path that the body travels and the number of vibrations, then the amplitude is found as the ratio of the path to the number of vibrations times 4.

2. If a mathematical pendulum is given in the problem, then with the known maximum speed and length of the string, one can find the amplitude, which will be equal to the product of the maximum speed and the square root of the ratio of length to gravity acceleration. This formula is similar to the formula of the period of a mathematical pendulum.

period formula

Only instead of 2p is maximum speed used.

In the equations, the amplitude is everything that is written down to the cosine, sine or variable omega.

Conclusion

This article talked about how the amplitude of oscillations is indicated and how it is located. This topic is only a small fraction of a large section of oscillatory processes, but this does not reduce its importance. After all, without understanding what amplitude is, it is impossible to work with graphs correctly and solve equations.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/F33754/


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