Topic 4: Oscillation and Waves Flashcards
What is a wave?
an oscillations that carries energy from one place to another without a transfer of mass
What is propagation?
any way in which waves travel
Do sound waves require a medium?
Yes
Does electromagnetic radiation need a medium?
No, the travels through space
Define oscillation
a periodic motion about a point of equilibrium
Define wavelength
the distance between 2 points of a wave that have the same phase
Define wavefront
surface containing waves in identical phases
Describe a transverse wave
the direction of propagation and direction of oscillation are perpendicular
Describe a longitudinal wave
the direction of propagation and oscillation are parallel
What is a period?
time taken for a complete cycle (s) T=1/f
What is frequency?
number of cycles per unit time F=1/T in 1/s
What is a simple harmonic oscillation?
A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the force of displacement
What is displacement?
distance of the body object at that time from the point of equilibrium
Equation for angular frequency:
ω=2πf
What is the point of equilibrium?
the point about which the oscillating body moves
What is amplitude
the maximum displacement
What is displacement?
the distance of the body object at that time from the point of equilibrium
In harmonic oscillations, oscillations move in a straight line according to….
a sine function
In harmonic oscillations, velocity changes with time as a _______ function
cosine
What is Hooke’s Law?
F=-kx stating that
What is damping?
Something dissipating the energy of the oscillation (ex. friction)
What is a damped driven oscillation?
an oscillation with damping that has an additional force acting on it additional to the restoring force
What eigenfrequency?
natural frequency/resonant frequency: rate at which an object vibrates when it’s not disturbed by an outside force
What are the different types of electromagnetic waves from lowest to highest frequency?
radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, gamma rays
How can waves be classified according to it’s propagation dimension??
they can be classified as one dimensional, surface or spacial
What are electromagnetic waves called?
Photons
When does diffraction occur?
when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit
Interference and DIFFRACTION can be demonstated in what experiment? Describe the experiment
Young’s experiment where there are 2 slits for light to pass through, there will be alternating bands of light and dark. Dark bands demonstrated destructive interference where light bands demonstrate constructive interference
Interference and DIFFRACTION can be demonstrated in what experiment? Describe the experiment
Young’s experiment where there are 2 slits for light to pass through, there will be alternating bands of light and dark. Dark bands demonstrated destructive interference where light bands demonstrate constructive interference
What is polarization?
oscillation of a wave in a preferred orientation
