partial oscillation

Partial oscillations are sinusoidal partial oscillations which, when summed, form the waveform. The term partial oscillation is used synonymously with harmonics.

The first partial oscillation corresponds to the first harmonic or the fundamental, the second partial oscillation to the second harmonic or the first harmonic, and so on. The frequencies of the individual partial oscillations are always in an integer multiple of each other. If the frequency of the first partial oscillation is 1 kHz, then that of the second is 2 kHz, that of the third is 3 kHz, etc. Each partial oscillation can be transformed by means of Fourier transformation from the time-related representation into a frequency-related one.

The term partial oscillations is mainly used in acoustics and loudspeakers. These are unwanted vibrations on the membrane surface. The phenomenon occurs with larger diaphragms and is manifested by the fact that oscillations with a frequency other than the excited frequency are formed on the diaphragm, which can have a disturbing effect on the radiated sound. The partial oscillations can be reduced by using appropriate diaphragm material.