Oscillation facts for kids

An undamped spring–mass system is an oscillatory system

Something that oscillates is something that "vibrates", or repeats the same pattern. Many things in nature move back-and-forth or up-and down when pushed or struck. In time, natural oscillators slow down and stop because of friction.

Examples

• The pendulum of a "grandfather clock", for example, is a very slow oscillator.
• The strings of pianos and string instruments "oscillate" when struck by a hammer.
• A water wave is the result of water moving up and down.
• Circuits powered by electricity can "oscillate". Such circuits can be used to make sounds or radio waves.
• Different chemicals, when you mix them together in the right order, can make some new things. But then these things change back to the original ones, making this repeating pattern. These are called chemical oscillators.

Related pages

• Vibration

Images for kids

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  Two pendulums with the same period fixed on a string act as pair of coupled oscillators. The oscillation alternates between the two.

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  Experimental Setup of Huygens synchronization of two clocks

See also

In Spanish: Oscilación para niños