
THIS book is concerned with the oscillations of electrical
and mechanical systems. Only systems with one degree of
freedom are discussed; other books in the series deal with
the problems arising when a system has more than one
degree of freedom or is continuous. Mechanical systems are
considered first since this is the common practice in most
courses. After a discussion of equilibrium positions of
systems without friction there is an account of their oscillations
near equilibrium. Next, the effects of friction of the
viscous type are examined.
A separate chapter is devoted to electrical circuits so that
those who wish to divorce them from mechanical systems
may do so. However, the detailed mathematical analysis of
earlier chapters has not been repeated; instead the results
have been quoted. The ideas of complex and operational
impedances which are more appropriate to electrical circuits
than mechanical systems are also introduced in this
chapter. Those who wish to develop the electrical theory at
the same time as the mechanical will find some suitable
examples at the end of Chapter Four.
The last chapter analyses oscillations which are not
necessarily small in amplitude. The non-linearities of the
system must then be taken into account. A strict mathematical
approach to this subject is beyond the scope of this
book but it is hoped that the plausible approach adopted will
enable the student to grasp the essentials of the phenomena
without becoming los Read more...