What is meant by one oscillation of a simple pendulum?

Imagine the gentle back and forth motion of a playground swing; that's oscillatory motion in its simplest form. It refers to the repetitive movement of an object around an equilibrium position – the position where the object would naturally come to rest. In the case of a simple pendulum, a weight, known as the bob, is hung from a fixed point on a string. When you pull the bob to one side and let go, it swings through its equilibrium position and then swings to the other side due to the force of gravity, then back again.

The pendulum's journey from its initial release point, through the equilibrium position, to the opposite extreme, and back again is just one example of oscillatory motion. This type of motion is characterized by its periodic nature, meaning it occurs in a regular, repeating pattern. Think of it as the bob's personal round-trip adventure, one that it will continue to make until external forces like air resistance and friction eventually bring it to a stop.

Gravitational force is the invisible hand that shapes the cosmos, guiding planets in their orbits and responsible for the spectacular plummet of an apple from a tree. Closer to our daily experience, it's what keeps our feet firmly on the ground. Formulated by Sir Isaac Newton, the law of universal gravitation tells us that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe, and the force of this attraction is proportional to the mass and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

In the context of a simple pendulum, gravity is what pulls the bob back towards its equilibrium position when it's lifted and let go. As imposing as this force may seem, it works in a perfectly orderly fashion, providing just the right pull to our pendulum's bob, causing it to swing back and forth in a predictable rhythm. Without gravity, there would be no oscillatory motion— the pendulum would simply float aimlessly instead of engaging in its tranquil dance.

Every object in motion has a sweet spot, a point where forces are balanced, and tranquility reigns. For a simple pendulum, this point is called the equilibrium position. It's the lowest point in the pendulum's arc and the spot where all the action happens – or, paradoxically, doesn't. When the pendulum's bob is at this position, it's momentary motionless if undisturbed and not swaying side to side. There's no net force acting on the bob at this point, as the pull of gravity and the tension in the string are in perfect harmony, effectively canceling each other out.

But the life of a pendulum bob isn't meant to be motionless. When it's nudged out of its equilibrium position, gravity acts to restore order, pulling it back toward this preferred point. However, because of its momentum, it overshoots, thus beginning the rhythmic oscillation we've described. Understanding this equilibrium concept helps us grasp why the pendulum acts as it does, and why, when we describe one full oscillation, it involves a departure from this placid position and a guaranteed return – like leaving home for an adventure, only to return with tales to tell.