Lecture 2: Damped Free Oscillators

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Lecture Topics

  • Energy conservation
  • Damped harmonic oscillators
  • Small angle approximation

Lecture Video: Damped Free Oscillators

A more realistic physical system, a damped oscillator, is introduced in this lecture. Prof. Lee shows the mathematical solutions actually match the behavior of physical systems. He also does an in-class demo to compare damped and undamped oscillators.

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> Download from Internet Archive (MP4 - 172MB)

> Download English-US transcript (PDF)

> Download English-US caption (SRT)

Lecture Notes

Typed Notes for Lecture 2 (PDF)

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Handwritten Notes for Lecture 2 (PDF - 2MB)

Textbook Reading

Chapter 2: Forced Oscillation and Resonance (PDF - 1.3MB)

In-class Demonstrations

HOW IT'S DONE SEE IT IN THE LECTURE
Oscillating Steel Ball on a Track @ 00:01:23, @ 00:26:47, and @ 01:07:43
Physical Pendulum @ 00:02:00
Damped and Undamped Masses on a Spring @ 00:02:30, @ 00:07:55, @ 00:10:30, @ 00:33:27, and @ 00:48:43
Driven Torsional Balance Oscillator @ 01:10:09

Related Resources

Demonstration: Air Cart Between Springs by TSG@MIT Physics

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