Oscillations

Oscillations refer to the repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. In rigid body mechanics, this often describes how structures or systems, like beams or pendulums, move back and forth due to forces like gravity or tension. For example, when a swing moves away from its resting position and then returns, it's oscillating. This motion is characterized by specific properties such as amplitude (the maximum distance from rest), frequency (how often it cycles in a given time), and period (the time taken for one complete cycle). Understanding oscillations helps in analyzing stability and performance in engineering applications.