Oscillations & Mechanical Waves

Question 1

What are free oscillations?

Answer 1

Oscillations that occur naturally due to internal forces without any external influence.

Question 2

What are forced oscillations?

Answer 2

Oscillations that occur when an external force drives the oscillating system.

Question 3

Give an example of free oscillations.

Answer 3

A pendulum swinging without external force.

Question 4

Give an example of forced oscillations.

Answer 4

Pushing a swing at a certain rhythm.

Question 5

Define harmonic oscillation.

Answer 5

A type of oscillation where the displacement follows a sinusoidal function.

Question 6

What is the harmonic oscillation equation?

Answer 6

X(t) = A sin(omega_0 t + phi) = A cos(omega_0 t + eta)

Question 7

What does A represent in the harmonic oscillation equation?

Answer 7

Amplitude (maximum displacement).

Question 8

What is the effect of damping on free oscillations?

Answer 8

Free oscillations are always damped due to internal resistance.

Question 9

What are damped oscillations?

Answer 9

Oscillations where the amplitude decreases over time while the frequency remains constant.

Question 10

What are non-damped oscillations?

Answer 10

Oscillations that occur with a constant amplitude indefinitely.

Question 11

Define decrement of damping.

Answer 11

The ratio of the amplitude of two successive oscillations.

Question 12

What is resonance?

Answer 12

When a system is driven at its natural frequency by an external force, causing significant amplitude increase.

Question 13

What happens during resonance in living systems?

Answer 13

Can be harmful or facilitate natural rhythmic processes.

Question 14

What are auto-oscillations?

Answer 14

Oscillations that occur at the system’s natural frequency without external forces.

Question 15

What is the primary change during resonance?

Answer 15

Amplitude increases significantly.

Question 16

What remains constant during resonance?

Answer 16

Frequency remains constant and equals the natural frequency of the system.

Question 17

Define damped oscillation.

Answer 17

Occurs when an oscillating system experiences resistance forces causing amplitude to decrease over time.

Question 18

What is a mechanical wave?

Answer 18

The transfer of energy through a medium caused by oscillations in the particles of the medium.

Question 19

What is the formula for wavelength?

Answer 19

λ = V/T

Question 20

What are longitudinal waves?

Answer 20

Waves where particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Question 21

What are transverse waves?

Answer 21

Waves where particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Question 22

What happens to wave speed during refraction?

Answer 22

The speed of the wave changes when it passes from one medium to another.

Question 23

What is reflection of waves?

Answer 23

Occurs when a wave encounters a boundary, causing it to return into the original medium.

Question 24

What is diffraction of waves?

Answer 24

The bending of waves around obstacles or through slits.

Question 25

List the basic properties of mechanical waves.

Answer 25

• Interference
• Diffraction
• Reflection
• Refraction

Question 26

What is a wave front?

Answer 26

A surface representing points of equal phase in the wave.

Question 27

What is a wave surface?

Answer 27

The three-dimensional counterpart to a wavefront.

Question 28

What environment do mechanical waves require for propagation?

Answer 28

A medium (solid, liquid, or gas).

Question 29

How does amplitude relate to sound waves?

Answer 29

Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement and is perceived as loudness.

Question 30

What does frequency measure in oscillations?

Answer 30

The number of oscillations per unit of time (measured in Hz).