Oscillation and Waves

Question 1

Periodic or harmonic motion

Answer 1

Any motion that regularly repeats

Question 2

Period

Answer 2

The time it takes an object to move through one full cycle of motion
Denoted by T and is measured in seconds

Question 3

Frequency

Answer 3

The number of cycles that occur in one second

Denoted by f and measured in Hertz (Hz)

Question 4

Period and Frequency

Answer 4

T=1/f and f=1/T

Question 5

Spring constant

Answer 5

Tells us how strong the spring is
The greater the value of k, the stiffer (and stronger) the spring
Units = newton/meter
Direction of the spring force is always directed opposite to its displacement from equilibrium

Question 6

Amplitude

Answer 6

The maximum displacement of the block from equilibrium
Denoted by A
This number tells us how far to the left and right of equilibrium the block will travel

Question 7

The kinematics of SHM

Answer 7

Neither frequency nor period are dependent on amplitude

Question 8

Simple pendulum

Answer 8

If the connecting rod or string between the suspension point and the object at the end of a pendulum has negligible mass, and if there is no friction at the suspension point during oscillation

Question 9

Mechanical waves

Answer 9

A series of disturbances (oscillations) within a medium that transfers energy from one place to another
Mechanical waves cannot exist without a medium

Question 10

Transverse wave

Answer 10

The wave travels in a direction thats perpendicular to the direction in which the medium is vibrating

Question 11

Frequency (waves)

Answer 11

The number of pulses that pass a given point per unit itme

Question 12

Period (waves)

Answer 12

The time it takes between pulses

Question 13

Wavelength

Answer 13

The distance from one crest to the next

One wave cycle

Question 14

Amplitude (eaves)

Answer 14

The maximum displacement from equilibrium that any point in the medium makes as the wave goes by

Question 15

Wave equation

Answer 15

v=lambda(f)

Changing f doesnt change v, it changes lambda

Question 16

Wave rule 1

Answer 16

The speed of a wave is determined by the type of wave and the characteristics of the medium, not by the frequency
Different waves in one medium

Question 17

Wave rule 2

Answer 17

When a wave passes into another medium, its speed changes, but its frequency does not
Single wave in different media

Question 18

Interference

Answer 18

When two or more waves are superimposed on each other, they will combine to form a single resultant wave
The waves can be of different wavelenghts

Question 19

In phase

Answer 19

When crest meets crest and trough meets trough
Their amplitudes with add and the waves interfere constructively
The path difference = n(lambda) and, (n=0,1,2,…), the waves will be in phase and will therefore constructively interfere

Question 20

Out of phase

Answer 20

The crest of one wave coincides with the trough of the other
Their amplitudes subtract and the waves interfere destructively
The path difference = (n=1/2)(lamda), the waves will be out of phase and will therefore destructively interfere

Question 21

nodes

Answer 21

Points of no displacement

Question 22

Antinodes

Answer 22

Halfway between any two consecutive nodes are points where the amplitude is maximized