The harmonic oscillator

Abstract

We start this part devoted to lumped parameter models by studying a simple paradigmatic model in physics: the harmonic oscillator. In principle, it corresponds to a mechanical system consisting of a mass connected to a spring and a dashpot (see Fig. 1.1), but it turns out that the model for a series electrical circuit including a resistance, an inductor and a capacitor, the so-called series RLC circuit, is analogous. This chapter is devoted to the analysis of the harmonic oscillator. Then, in the next chapter we translate the results to a series RLC electrical circuit.