View source for Normal mode

{{Short description|Pattern of oscillating motion in a system}}
{{No footnotes|date=December 2010}}
A '''normal mode''' of a [[dynamical system]] is a pattern of motion in which all parts of the system move [[sinusoidal]]ly with the same frequency and with a fixed phase relation.  The free motion described by the normal modes takes place at fixed frequencies.  These fixed frequencies of the normal modes of a system are known as its [[natural frequency|natural frequencies]] or [[Resonance|resonant frequencies]].  A physical object, such as a building, bridge, or molecule, has a set of normal modes and their natural frequencies that depend on its structure, materials and boundary conditions. 

The most general motion of a linear system is a [[Superposition principle|superposition]] of its normal modes. The modes are normal in the sense that they can move independently, that is to say that an excitation of one mode will never cause motion of a different mode. In mathematical terms, normal modes are [[Orthogonality|orthogonal]] to each other.

[[File:Drum vibration mode12.gif|right|thumb|248px|Vibration of a single normal mode of a circular disc with a pinned boundary condition along the entire outer edge. [[:commons:Category:Drum vibration animations|See other modes]].]]
[[File:A cup of black coffee vibrating in normal modes.jpeg|right|thumb| A flash photo of a cup of black coffee vibrating in normal modes]]
[[File:Spherical harmonic in water drop.ogv|thumb|Excitation of normal modes in a drop of water during the [[Leidenfrost effect]] ]]

== General definitions ==

=== Mode ===
In the [[Wave|wave theory]] of physics and engineering, a '''mode''' in a [[dynamical system]] is a [[standing wave]] state of excitation, in which all the components of the system will be affected sinusoidally at a fixed frequency associated with that mode.

Because no real system can perfectly fit under the standing wave framework, the ''mode'' concept is taken as a general characterization of specific states of oscillation, thus treating the dynamic system in a ''linear'' fashion, in which linear [[superposition principle|superposition]] of states can be performed.

Typical examples include:
* In a mechanical dynamical system, a vibrating rope is the most clear example of a mode, in which the rope is the medium, the stress on the rope is the excitation, and the displacement of the rope with respect to its static state is the modal variable.
* In an acoustic dynamical system, a single sound pitch is a mode, in which the air is the medium, the sound pressure in the air is the excitation, and the displacement of the air molecules is the modal variable.
* In a structural dynamical system, a high tall building oscillating under its most flexural axis is a mode, in which all the material of the building -under the proper numerical simplifications- is the medium, the seismic/wind/environmental solicitations are the excitations and the displacements are the modal variable.
* In an electrical dynamical system, a resonant cavity made of thin metal walls, enclosing a hollow space, for a particle accelerator is a pure standing wave system, and thus an example of a mode, in which the hollow space of the cavity is the medium, the RF source (a Klystron or another RF source) is the excitation and the electromagnetic field is the modal variable.
* When relating to [[music]], normal modes of vibrating instruments (strings, air pipes, drums, etc.) are called "[[overtones]]".

The concept of normal modes also finds application in other dynamical systems, such as [[optics]], [[quantum mechanics]], [[atmospheric dynamics]] and [[molecular dynamics]].

Most dynamical systems can be excited in several modes, possibly simultaneously. Each mode is characterized by one or several frequencies,{{dubious|reason=wouldn't that be a superposition of two modes?|date=April 2020}} according to the modal variable field. For example, a vibrating rope in 2D space is defined by a single-frequency (1D axial displacement), but a vibrating rope in 3D space is defined by two frequencies (2D axial displacement).

For a given amplitude on the modal variable, each mode will store a specific amount of energy because of the sinusoidal excitation.

The ''normal'' or ''dominant'' mode of a system with multiple modes will be the mode storing the minimum amount of energy for a given amplitude of the modal variable, or, equivalently, for a given stored amount of energy, the dominant mode will be the mode imposing the maximum amplitude of the modal variable.

===Mode numbers===
A mode of vibration is characterized by a modal frequency and a mode shape. It is numbered according to the number of half waves in the vibration.  For example, if a vibrating beam with both ends pinned displayed a mode shape of half of a sine wave (one peak on the vibrating beam) it would be vibrating in mode 1. If it had a full sine wave (one peak and one trough) it would be vibrating in mode 2.

In a system with two or more dimensions, such as the pictured disk, each dimension is given a mode number.  Using [[polar coordinate system|polar coordinates]], we have a radial coordinate and an angular coordinate. If one measured from the center outward along the radial coordinate one would encounter a full wave, so the mode number in the radial direction is 2. The other direction is trickier, because only half of the disk is considered due to the anti-symmetric (also called [[Symmetry in mathematics#Skew-symmetry|skew-symmetry]]) nature of a disk's vibration in the angular direction. Thus, measuring 180° along the angular direction you would encounter a half wave, so the mode number in the angular direction is 1. So the mode number of the system is 2–1 or 1–2, depending on which coordinate is considered the "first" and which is considered the "second" coordinate (so it is important to always indicate which mode number matches with each coordinate direction).

In linear systems each mode is entirely independent of all other modes.  In general all modes have different frequencies (with lower modes having lower frequencies) and different mode shapes.

===Nodes===
[[File:Mode Shape of a Round Plate with Node Lines.jpg|right|thumb|220px|A mode shape of a drum membrane, with nodal lines shown in pale green]]
In a one-dimensional system at a given mode the vibration will have nodes, or places where the displacement is always zero.  These nodes correspond to points in the mode shape where the mode shape is zero.  Since the vibration of a system is given by the mode shape multiplied by a time function, the displacement of the node points remain zero at all times.

When expanded to a two dimensional system, these nodes become lines where the displacement is always zero.  If you watch the animation above you will see two circles (one about halfway between the edge and center, and the other on the edge itself) and a straight line bisecting the disk, where the displacement is close to zero.  In an idealized system these lines equal zero exactly, as shown to the right.

==In mechanical systems==
In the analysis of [[conservative system]]s with small displacements from equilibrium, important in [[acoustics]], [[molecular spectra]], and [[electrical circuit]]s, the system can be transformed to new coordinates called '''normal coordinates.'''  Each normal coordinate corresponds to a single vibrational frequency of the system and the corresponding motion of the system is called the normal mode of vibration.<ref name=Goldstein3>{{Cite book |last1=Goldstein |first1=Herbert |title=Classical mechanics |last2=Poole |first2=Charles P. |last3=Safko |first3=John L. |date=2008 |publisher=Addison Wesley |isbn=978-0-201-65702-9 |edition=3rd ed., [Nachdr.] |location=San Francisco, Munich}}</ref>{{rp|p=332}} 
=== Coupled oscillators ===
Consider two equal bodies (not affected by gravity), each of [[mass]] {{mvar|m}}, attached to three springs, each with [[spring constant]] {{mvar|k}}. They are attached in the following manner, forming a system that is physically symmetric:

[[File:Coupled Harmonic Oscillator.svg|300px|center]]

where the edge points are fixed and cannot move. Let {{math|''x''{{sub|1}}(''t'')}} denote the horizontal [[displacement (distance)|displacement]] of the left mass, and {{math|''x''{{sub|2}}(''t'')}} denote the displacement of the right mass.

Denoting acceleration (the second [[derivative]] of {{math|''x''(''t'')}} with respect to time) as {{nowrap|<math display=inline>\ddot x</math>,}} the [[equations of motion]] are:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  m \ddot x_1 &= - k x_1 + k (x_2 - x_1) = - 2 k x_1 + k x_2 \\
  m \ddot x_2 &= - k x_2 + k (x_1 - x_2) = - 2 k x_2 + k x_1
\end{align}</math>

Since we expect oscillatory motion of a normal mode (where {{mvar|ω}} is the same for both masses), we try:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  x_1(t) &= A_1 e^{i \omega t} \\
  x_2(t) &= A_2 e^{i \omega t}
\end{align}</math>

Substituting these into the equations of motion gives us:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  -\omega^2 m A_1 e^{i \omega t} &= - 2 k A_1 e^{i \omega t} + k A_2 e^{i \omega t} \\
  -\omega^2 m A_2 e^{i \omega t} &= k A_1 e^{i \omega t} - 2 k A_2 e^{i \omega t}
\end{align}</math>

Omitting the exponential factor (because it is common to all terms) and simplifying yields:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  (\omega^2 m - 2 k) A_1 + k A_2 &= 0 \\
  k A_1 + (\omega^2 m - 2 k) A_2 &= 0
\end{align}</math>

And in [[matrix (mathematics)|matrix]] representation:

<math display="block">\begin{bmatrix}
  \omega^2 m - 2 k & k \\
                 k & \omega^2 m - 2 k
  \end{bmatrix} \begin{pmatrix}
    A_1 \\
    A_2
  \end{pmatrix} = 0
</math>

If the matrix on the left is invertible, the unique solution is the trivial solution {{math|1=(''A''{{sub|1}}, ''A''{{sub|2}}) = (''x''{{sub|1}}, ''x''{{sub|2}}) = (0, 0)}}. The non trivial solutions are to be found for those values of {{mvar|ω}} whereby the matrix on the left is [[singular matrix|singular]]; i.e. is not invertible. It follows that the [[determinant]] of the matrix must be equal to 0, so:

<math display="block"> (\omega^2 m - 2 k)^2 - k^2 = 0 </math>

Solving for {{mvar|ω}}, the two positive solutions are:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  \omega_1 &= \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}} \\
  \omega_2 &= \sqrt{\frac{3 k}{m}}
\end{align}</math>

Substituting {{math|''ω''{{sub|1}}}} into the matrix and solving for {{math|(''A''{{sub|1}}, ''A''{{sub|2}})}}, yields {{math|(1, 1)}}. Substituting {{math|''ω''{{sub|2}}}} results in {{math|(1, −1)}}. (These vectors are [[eigenvector]]s, and the frequencies are [[eigenvalue]]s.)

The first normal mode is:
<math display="block">\vec \eta_1 = \begin{pmatrix}
    x^1_1(t) \\ x^1_2(t)
  \end{pmatrix} = c_1 \begin{pmatrix}1 \\ 1\end{pmatrix} \cos{(\omega_1 t + \varphi_1)}
</math>

Which corresponds to both masses moving in the same direction at the same time. This mode is called antisymmetric.

The second normal mode is:

<math display="block">\vec \eta_2 = \begin{pmatrix}
    x^2_1(t) \\ x^2_2(t)
  \end{pmatrix} = c_2 \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} \cos{(\omega_2 t + \varphi_2)}
</math>

This corresponds to the masses moving in the opposite directions, while the center of mass remains stationary. This mode is called symmetric.

The general solution is a [[Superposition principle|superposition]] of the '''normal modes''' where {{math|''c''{{sub|1}}}}, {{math|''c''{{sub|2}}}}, {{math|''φ''{{sub|1}}}}, and {{math|''φ''{{sub|2}}}} are determined by the [[initial condition]]s of the problem.

The process demonstrated here can be generalized and formulated using the formalism of [[Lagrangian mechanics]] or [[Hamiltonian mechanics]].

=== Standing waves ===
A [[standing wave]] is a continuous form of normal mode. In a standing wave, all the space elements (i.e. {{math|(''x'', ''y'', ''z'')}} coordinates) are oscillating in the same [[frequency]] and in [[phase (waves)|phase]] (reaching the [[mechanical equilibrium|equilibrium]] point together), but each has a different amplitude.

[[File:Standing-wave05.png]]

The general form of a standing wave is:

<math display="block">
\Psi(t) = f(x,y,z) (A\cos(\omega t) + B\sin(\omega t))
</math>

where {{math|''f''(''x'', ''y'', ''z'')}} represents the dependence of amplitude on location and the cosine/sine are the oscillations in time.

Physically, standing waves are formed by the [[Interference (wave propagation)|interference]] (superposition) of waves and their reflections (although one may also say the opposite; that a moving wave is a [[superposition principle|superposition]] of standing waves). The geometric shape of the medium determines what would be the interference pattern, thus determines the {{math|''f''(''x'', ''y'', ''z'')}} form of the standing wave. This space-dependence is called a '''normal mode'''.

Usually, for problems with continuous dependence on {{math|(''x'', ''y'', ''z'')}} there is no single or finite number of normal modes, but there are infinitely many normal modes. If the problem is bounded (i.e. it is defined on a finite section of space) there are [[countably many]] normal modes (usually numbered {{math|1=''n'' = 1, 2, 3, ...}}). If the problem is not bounded, there is a continuous spectrum of normal modes.

=== Elastic solids ===
{{Main|Einstein solid|Debye model}}

In any solid at any temperature, the primary particles (e.g. atoms or molecules) are not stationary, but rather vibrate about mean positions. In insulators the capacity of the solid to store thermal energy is due almost entirely to these vibrations. Many physical properties of the solid (e.g. modulus of elasticity) can be predicted given knowledge of the frequencies with which the particles vibrate. The simplest assumption (by Einstein) is that all the particles oscillate about their mean positions with the same natural frequency {{mvar|ν}}. This is equivalent to the assumption that all atoms vibrate independently with a frequency {{mvar|ν}}. Einstein also assumed that the allowed energy states of these oscillations are harmonics, or integral multiples of {{mvar|hν}}. The spectrum of waveforms can be described mathematically using a Fourier series of sinusoidal density fluctuations (or thermal [[phonons]]).

[[File:Harmonic partials on strings.svg|thumb|250px|The [[Fundamental frequency|fundamental]] and the first six [[overtone]]s of a vibrating string. The mathematics of [[wave propagation]] in crystalline solids consists of treating the [[harmonics]] as an ideal [[Fourier series]] of [[Sine wave|sinusoidal]] density fluctuations (or atomic displacement waves).]]

Debye subsequently recognized that each oscillator is intimately coupled to its neighboring oscillators at all times. Thus, by replacing Einstein's identical uncoupled oscillators with the same number of coupled oscillators, Debye correlated the elastic vibrations of a one-dimensional solid with the number of mathematically special modes of vibration of a stretched string (see figure). The pure tone of lowest pitch or frequency is referred to as the fundamental and the multiples of that frequency are called its harmonic overtones. He assigned to one of the oscillators the frequency of the fundamental vibration of the whole block of solid. He assigned to the remaining oscillators the frequencies of the harmonics of that fundamental, with the highest of all these frequencies being limited by the motion of the smallest primary unit.

The normal modes of vibration of a crystal are in general superpositions of many overtones, each with an appropriate amplitude and phase. Longer wavelength (low frequency) [[phonons]] are exactly those acoustical vibrations which are considered in the theory of sound. Both longitudinal and transverse waves can be propagated through a solid, while, in general, only longitudinal waves are supported by fluids.

In the [[longitudinal mode]], the displacement of particles from their positions of equilibrium coincides with the propagation direction of the wave. Mechanical longitudinal waves have been also referred to as ''{{dfn|compression waves}}''. For [[transverse mode]]s, individual particles move perpendicular to the propagation of the wave.

According to quantum theory, the mean energy of a normal vibrational mode of a crystalline solid with characteristic frequency {{mvar|ν}} is:

<math display="block">E(\nu) = \frac{1}{2}h\nu + \frac{h\nu}{e^{h\nu/kT} - 1}</math>

The term {{math|(1/2)''hν''}} represents the "zero-point energy", or the energy which an oscillator will have at absolute zero. {{math|''E''(''ν'')}} tends to the classic value {{mvar|kT}} at high temperatures

<math display="block">E(\nu) = kT\left[1 + \frac{1}{12}\left(\frac{h\nu}{kT}\right)^2 + O\left(\frac{h\nu}{kT}\right)^4 + \cdots\right]</math>

By knowing the thermodynamic formula,

<math display="block">\left( \frac{\partial S}{\partial E}\right)_{N,V} = \frac{1}{T}</math>

the entropy per normal mode is:

<math display="block">\begin{align}
  S\left(\nu\right) &= \int_0^T\frac{d}{dT}E\left(\nu\right)\frac{dT}{T} \\[10pt]
      &= \frac{E\left(\nu\right)}{T} - k\log\left(1 - e^{-\frac{h\nu}{kT}}\right)
\end{align}</math>

The free energy is:

<math display="block">F(\nu) = E - TS=kT\log \left(1-e^{-\frac{h\nu}{kT}}\right)</math>

which, for {{math|''kT'' ≫ ''hν''}}, tends to:

<math display="block">F(\nu) = kT\log \left(\frac{h\nu}{kT}\right)</math>

In order to calculate the internal energy and the specific heat, we must know the number of normal vibrational modes a frequency between the values {{mvar|ν}} and {{math|''ν'' + ''dν''}}. Allow this number to be {{math|''f''(''ν'')''dν''}}. Since the total number of normal modes is {{math|3''N''}}, the function {{math|''f''(''ν'')}} is given by:

<math display="block">\int f(\nu)\,d\nu = 3N</math>

The integration is performed over all frequencies of the crystal. Then the internal energy {{mvar|U}} will be given by:

<math display="block">U = \int f(\nu)E(\nu)\,d\nu</math>

== In quantum mechanics ==
Bound states 
in [[quantum mechanics]] are analogous to modes. The waves in quantum systems are oscillations in probability amplitude rather than material displacement. The frequency of oscillation, {{mvar|f}}, relates to the mode energy by {{math|1=''E'' = ''hf''}} where {{mvar|h}} is the [[Planck constant]]. Thus a system like an atom consists of a linear combination of modes of definite energy. These energies are characteristic of the particular atom. The (complex) square of the probability amplitude at a point in space gives the probability of measuring an electron at that location. The spatial distribution of this probability is characteristic of the atom.<ref name="FeynmanLectures">{{Cite book |last=Feynman |first=Richard P. |url=https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_49.html#Ch49-S5 |title=The Feynman lectures on physics. Volume 1: Mainly mechanics, radiation, and heat |date=2011 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=978-0-465-04085-8 |edition=The new millennium edition, paperback first published |location=New York}}</ref>{{rp|I49-S5}}

==In seismology==
Normal modes are generated in the Earth from long wavelength [[seismic waves]] from large earthquakes interfering to form standing waves.

For an elastic, isotropic, homogeneous sphere, spheroidal, toroidal and radial (or breathing) modes arise. Spheroidal modes only involve P and SV waves (like [[Rayleigh waves]]) and depend on overtone number {{mvar|n}} and angular order {{mvar|l}} but have degeneracy of azimuthal order {{mvar|m}}. Increasing {{mvar|l}} concentrates fundamental branch closer to surface and at large {{mvar|l}} this tends to Rayleigh waves. Toroidal modes only involve SH waves (like [[Love waves]]) and do not exist in fluid outer core. Radial modes are just a subset of spheroidal modes with {{math|1=''l'' = 0}}. The degeneracy does not exist on Earth as it is broken by rotation, ellipticity and 3D heterogeneous velocity and density structure.

It may be assumed that each mode can be isolated, the self-coupling approximation, or that many modes close in frequency [[resonate]], the cross-coupling approximation.  Self-coupling will solely change the phase velocity and not the number of waves around a great circle, resulting in a stretching or shrinking of standing wave pattern. Modal cross-coupling occurs due to the rotation of the Earth, from aspherical elastic structure, or due to Earth's ellipticity and leads to a mixing of fundamental spheroidal and toroidal modes.

== See also ==
* [[Antiresonance]]
* [[Critical speed]]
* [[Harmonic oscillator]]
* [[Harmonic series (music)]]
* [[Infrared spectroscopy]]
* [[Leaky mode]]
* [[Mechanical resonance]]
* [[Modal analysis]]
* [[Mode (electromagnetism)]]
* [[Quasinormal mode]]
* [[Sturm–Liouville theory]]
* [[Torsional vibration]]
* [[Vibrations of a circular membrane]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|last1=Blevins|first1=Robert D.|title=Formulas for natural frequency and mode shape|date=2001|publisher=Krieger Pub.|location=Malabar, Florida|isbn=978-1575241845|edition=Reprint}}
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Tzou|editor-first1=H.S.|editor-last2=Bergman|editor-first2=L.A.|title=Dynamics and Control of Distributed Systems.|date=2008|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=Cambridge [England]|isbn=978-0521033749}}
* {{cite book|last1=Shearer|first1=Peter M.|title=Introduction to seismology|date=2009|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=9780521882101|pages=231–237|edition=2nd}}

== External links ==
* [https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/david-morin/files/waves_normalmodes.pdf Harvard lecture notes on normal modes]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Normal Mode}}
[[Category:Ordinary differential equations]]
[[Category:Classical mechanics]]
[[Category:Quantum mechanics]]
[[Category:Spectroscopy]]
[[Category:Singular value decomposition]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]