Oscillation

Oscillation is the periodic variation, typically in time, of some measure as seen, for example, in a swinging pendulum. It is also known as periodic force. The term vibration is sometimes used more narrowly to mean a mechanical oscillation but sometimes is used to be synonymous with oscillation. Oscillations occur not only in physical systems but also in biological systems and in human society. Oscillations are the origin of the sensation of musical tone. The spring-mass system illustrates some important and universal principles of oscillation: Existence of an equilibrium; Presence of some restoring force (or restoring principle in non-mechanical systems); Some form of "momentum" or kinetic energy that maintains motion; and Exchange in "energy" between that kinetic and potential energy due to the restoring force. The harmonic oscillator offers a model of many more complicated types of oscillation and can be extended by the use of Fourier analysis.