Exam-style question
Try this first
In which scenario would you observe forced vibrations?.
- A.A pendulum swinging in a vacuum
- B.A guitar string being plucked
- C.A mass on a spring oscillating freely
- D.A child on a swing moving without any pushes
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- A guitar string being plucked
Explanation
Why this works
Forced vibrations occur when an external force maintains the oscillation of a system. In this case, plucking a guitar string applies an external force that causes the string to vibrate.
The key difference is that forced vibrations depend on the external force's frequency, while free vibrations do not. This scenario exemplifies forced vibrations, as the string's motion is driven by the plucking action.
Thus, the correct option is the one that describes this situation.
Common mistake
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