Oscillation is the phenomenon in which there is a change in the movement of something and it is done in the form of a reciprocating motion.
Oscillation is the expression of something in motion
In everyday language there are a number of equivalent terms: rocking, fluctuating or rocking. In any case, an oscillation is something that is in motion. In this sense, it must be taken into account that the movement has different manifestations (the rectilinear movement of a uniform or accelerated type, the one that occurs in a uniform circular way, the acceleration or the pendular movement). In the latter case, the change of position of a body occurs periodically and repetitively over a period of time. The best known example of oscillatory or pendulum movement is that which occurs in pendulums in some clocks.
Physics factors involved
In the oscillatory movement cycle we have the following physical variables: the maximum amplitude or distance in which a body moves, the period of time in which a body acts and the frequency or number of cycles in a unit of time. This movement has two different options. On the one hand, simple harmonic movement or that damped by some force.
The theoretical knowledge that is implicit in the oscillatory movement has allowed multiple applications. The main one is probably a more accurate time measurement (let's not forget that a watch measures temporal oscillations). If we are in the field of construction, architects design buildings or bridges that must be protected from seismic movements of the earth, that is, from oscillations.
The theoretical principles of the oscillation were described by Galileo at the beginning of the 17th century, who already understood its practical dimension.
Oscillation situations
In addition to the parameters of this type of physical movement, the idea of oscillation is very present in communication and in everyday life. Let's look at three significant examples:
- In a football competition, a series of teams face each other over the course of a season. Throughout it, their position in the table is changing, so there is an oscillation or variation in the classification.
- In the world of the stock market the different values are changing day by day and these variations are analyzed by experts, who observe the oscillations that occur from a numerical point of view and over a period of time.
- Waves are the way some of the oscillations are presented. Thus, sound, earthquake waves or radio waves have the characteristics of this movement.
