Topic 4 Waves Flashcards
oscillation definition
a back and forth motion about an equilibrium position
isochronous definition
an oscillation that repeats with the same time period
displacement (x) oscillations definition
instantaneous distance from the equilibrium position in a specific direction (m)
amplitude (xo) oscillations definition
maximum displacement from the equilibrium position (m)
frequency (f) oscillations definition
number of oscillations per second (Hz or s^–1)
period (T) oscillations definition
time for one oscillation (s)
phase (ø) oscillations definition
measure of how “in step” different particles are (one cycle = 360º or 2π radians)
simple harmonic motion (SHM) definition
a type of oscillation that takes place when the acceleration of (and the force on) an object is:
- proportional to its displacement from the equilibrium position
- in the opposite direction to the displacement (ie. directed towards the equilibrium position)
the motion is due to a restoring force, ie. a force that is always directed towards the equilibrium position.
acceleration against displacement graph for oscillation
- straight line shows that a∝x
- negative gradient shows a and x are in opposite directions
see pg 5 topic 4 booklet for picture
acceleration time graphs
see pg 8 topic 4 booklet for graphs
energy in shm graphs
see pg 9 topic 4 booklet for graphs
what is a wave
a movement of energy through a medium
longitudinal wave definition
the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of the energy transfer (energy prorogation) eg. sound, earthquake P waves
transverse wave definition
the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction of the energy transfer eg. light, earthquake S waves
compression
particles come together
rarefaction
particles spread out
displacement (x) wave definition
distance the medium had moved from the equilibrium position in a particular direction
unit: m
frequency (f) wave definition
number of oscillation of the medium (or complete waves passing a point) per second
unit: Hz
period (T) wave definition
time for one complete oscillation of the medium (or time for one complete wave to pass a given point)
unit: s
wavelength (λ) wave definition
shortest distance between two points that are in phase along a wave eg. crest to crest
unit: m
wave speed (c) wave definition
distance travelled per unit time by the energy of the wave (or by a wavefront)
unit: ms^–1
amplitude (A) wave definition
maximum displacement of the medium from the equilibrium position
unit: m
properties of waves
see pg 12/13 topic 3 booklet
derive the formula that shows the relationship between wave speed, wavelength and frequency
- time taken for one complete wave to pass = T
- the distance the wave has travelled in this time = λ
- wave speed (c) = distance / time = λ/T
- but T = 1/f
therefore: - c = λ/f
- => c = fλ