superposition of waves

Question 1

the stiffer the springs the ____ the vibration moves down the chain

Answer 1

faster the vibration moves down the chain

Question 2

the heavier the masses the _____ the vibration moves down the chain

Answer 2

slower

Question 3

the velocity of a longitudinal wave (sound) depends on?

Answer 3

-the rate at which displaced particles return towards their displaced (undisturbed positions)

Question 4

the restoring force which determines the velocity of a longitudinal wave _____

Answer 4

increases with the elasticity of the medium

Question 5

factors that affect the speed of sound (long. waves) in a gas

Answer 5

• density: velocity of sound can be greater in a less dense gas
• temperature: velocity increases as temperature increases
• humidity: increased humidity= increased speed of sound (the water vapour displaces some of the air, reducing density)

Question 6

oscilloscope

Answer 6

allows the pressure variations of sound waves to be converted to an electrical impulse

Question 7

why are the sounds we produce in speech not sinusoidal?

Answer 7

because they contain more than one sound wave –>very complex sound

Question 8

what happens if waves meet or if waves overlap?

Answer 8

• if 2 waves meet, they pass eachother unaffected

- if they overlap they interact with one another (PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION)

Question 9

What are beats?

Answer 9

• another form of interference
• when 2 sound waves of slightly different frequency combine to produce a resultant wave whose amplitude varies in time –> makes a throbbing sound
• each variation in amplitude is a beat

Question 10

what happens to the resulting wave of a beat?

Answer 10

the wave will have the same frequency as original waves but an amplitude that varies with time.

Question 11

beat formula?

Answer 11

fbeat = f1-f2