Mechanical oscillations and waves Flashcards
What do mechanical waves require for transmission
A medium
How are mechanical waves generated
By vibrating sources
What happens during the transmission of a mechanical wave
The energy from the vibrations is transferred to the medium and is transmitted to the particles within it
What can we use to demonstrate the passage of a wave through a medium
A slinky spring
Define a longitudinal wave
A wave where the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave
Define a transverse wave
A wave where the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave
How is sound transmitted
Using longitudinal waves
How can we demonstrate the fact that sound is transmitted using longitudinal waves
Put a candle next to a loudspeaker set for 50Hz or less. the candle will flicker back and forth by the oscillating air modules
What three properties can be used to describe oscillations
amplitude, period and frequency
What is an equation demonstrating the relationship between frequency and the period
f = 1/T
What is a method of plotting the displacement against time for oscillating particles
Using a motion sensor with the associated software
How is the motion of oscillating particles termed and why is this
It is termed sinusoidal and this is because the displacement time graph that oscillating bodies make look like sin graphs in terms of shape
How would you describe two oscillations that are half a cycle out of step
The oscillations would be in antiphase
How do displacement distance graphs differ from displacement time graphs
A displacement distance graph represents the positions of all the particles along that section of the wave as opposed to the motion of a single particle within the wave
Define wavelength
The distance between two adjacent positions that are in phase
