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Oscillator Lab

Learning goal

Watch the three faces of the harmonic oscillator: free SHM at \(\omega_0 = \sqrt{k/m}\), decay under damping, and the resonance peak when driven near \(\omega_0\).

Things to try

  1. Zero damping, no drive: pure SHM. Change \(m\) and \(k\) and verify the period follows \(T = 2\pi\sqrt{m/k}\) (heavier → slower, stiffer → faster).
  2. Add damping and watch the envelope decay; push \(b\) high enough and the oscillation dies without completing a cycle (overdamped).
  3. Drive it with \(\omega_d\) far below, at, and above \(\omega_0\) (green marker on the response curve). At resonance, tiny forces build huge swings.
  4. Increase damping while driven at resonance — the peak flattens: that's a lower \(Q\).

Simple harmonic motion · Damped & driven oscillations · Pendulum