Module 7 Glossary

Glossary

 

equilibrium position: the position where the resultant of all forces acting is zero

 

forced frequency: the frequency at which one object attempts to make a second object vibrate

 

mechanical resonance: the tendency of a system to oscillate at maximum amplitude at a specific frequency, known as the resonant frequency

 

oscillate: to move back and forth at a constant rate

 

piezoelectricity: the ability of certain crystals to change shape when a voltage is applied across them or to produce a voltage when a force is applied to them

 

radian: a unit used to measure angles that is calculated as arc length divided by radius

 

resonant frequency: the frequency at which a system naturally vibrates

 

restoring force: a force that causes an object to return to an equilibrium position

 

simple harmonic motion: a repeating motion about a central equilibrium point caused by restoring forces

 

spring constant: a measure of the stiffness or strength of a spring (the k in Hooke’s law)