Oscillations and Gravitation Glossary

Maximum displacement from equilibrium in SHM.

omega = 2 pi f = 2 pi/T. For spring-mass: omega = sqrt(k/m).

Parameter in damped SHM. Larger b means faster amplitude decay.

Minimum speed to escape a gravitational field: v = sqrt(2GM/R).

Circular orbit with T = 24 hours. r = 42,164 km from Earth center.

G = 6.674 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2. Universal constant in Newton law of gravitation.

g = GM/r^2. Force per unit mass at distance r from mass M.

Three laws of planetary motion: elliptical orbits, equal areas, T^2 proportional to r^3.

Time for one complete oscillation cycle. T = 2 pi/omega.

Initial phase angle in x(t) = A cos(omega t + phi). Set by initial conditions.

Maximum amplitude response when driving frequency equals natural frequency.

Periodic motion where restoring force is proportional to displacement: F = -kx.