- Definition and overview of vibration as a mechanical phenomenon, including deterministic and random vibrations, desirable and undesirable vibrations, natural frequencies, and related concepts in mechanical engineering.
- Disambiguation page for “Vibrations,” which may refer to mechanical oscillations or other topics.
- A category page listing articles related to mechanical vibrations, including subcategories and pages such as frequency, molecular vibration, shock absorbers, torsional vibration, and vibrators.
- Description of molecular vibration as the periodic motion of atoms in a molecule, with information on vibrational frequencies, normal modes, and methods for probing vibrational states, such as infrared and Raman spectroscopy.
These URLs provide a comprehensive overview of vibration in various contexts, from mechanical engineering to molecular vibrations in chemistry.
Vibration (from Latin vibrāre 'to shake') is a mechanical phenomenon whereby oscillations occur about an equilibrium point. Vibration may be deterministic if the oscillations can be characterised precisely (e.g. the periodic motion of a pendulum), or random if the oscillations can only be analysed statistically (e.g. the movement of a tire on a gravel road).
Vibration can be desirable: for example, the motion of a tuning fork, the reed in a woodwind instrument or harmonica, a mobile phone, or the cone of a loudspeaker.
In many cases, however, vibration is undesirable, wasting energy and creating unwanted sound. For example, the vibrational motions of engines, electric motors, or any mechanical device in operation are typically unwanted. Such vibrations could be caused by imbalances in the rotating parts, uneven friction, or the meshing of gear teeth. Careful designs usually minimize unwanted vibrations.
The studies of sound and vibration are closely related (both fall under acoustics). Sound, or pressure waves, are generated by vibrating structures (e.g. vocal cords); these pressure waves can also induce the vibration of structures (e.g. ear drum). Hence, attempts to reduce noise are often related to issues of vibration.
Machining vibrations are common in the process of subtractive manufacturing.
English
Etymology
From French vibration, from Latin vibrātiō (“a shaking or brandishing”), from vibrō (“shake, vibrate”); see vibrate.