Definition:Simple Harmonic Motion/Out of Phase
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Definition
Let $S_1$ and $S_2$ be physical systems in a state of simple harmonic motion described respectively by the equations:
\(\ds x_1\) | \(=\) | \(\ds a_1 \map \cos {\omega t + \alpha_1}\) | ||||||||||||
\(\ds x_2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds a_2 \map \cos {\omega t + \alpha_2}\) |
$S_1$ and $S_2$ are out of phase if and only if $\alpha_1 \ne \alpha_2$.
Phase Difference
The phase difference of $S_1$ and $S_2$ is defined as $\size {\alpha_1 - \alpha_2}$.
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): harmonic motion
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): harmonic motion