oscillation

Noun
  1. The process of oscillating between states (synset 113549168)
    is a type of: action, activity, natural action, natural process - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
    subtypes: libration - (astronomy) a real or apparent slow oscillation of a moon or satellite
  2. (physics) a regular periodic variation in value about a mean (synset 107359766)
    referred to in: natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions
    is a type of: undulation, wave - (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
    subtypes:
    • ripple - (electronics) an oscillation of small amplitude imposed on top of a steady value
    • transient - (physics) a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load
    • beat - a single pulsation of an oscillation produced by adding two waves of different frequencies; has a frequency equal to the difference between the two oscillations
    • resonance - a vibration of large amplitude produced by a relatively small vibration near the same frequency of vibration as the natural frequency of the resonating system
    • sympathetic vibration - (physics) vibration produced by resonance
    same as: vibration
  3. A single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon (synset 107355638)
    "a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons"
    is a type of: periodic event, recurrent event - an event that recurs at intervals
    subtypes:
    • cardiac cycle - the complete cycle of events in the heart from the beginning of one heart beat to the beginning of the next; an electrical impulse conducted through the heart muscle that constricts the atria which is followed by constriction of the ventricles
    • carnot cycle, carnot's ideal cycle - a cycle (of expansion and compression) of an idealized reversible heat engine that does work without loss of heat
    • pass - one complete cycle of operations (as by a computer)
    • menstrual cycle - a recurring cycle (beginning at menarche and ending at menopause) in which the endometrial lining of the uterus prepares for pregnancy; if pregnancy does not occur the lining is shed at menstruation
    same as: cycle

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