Topic 9: Wave phenomena Flashcards
(5 cards)
Describe the conditions required for an object to perform simple harmonic motion (SHM).
The acceleration is proportional to the displacement and in the opposite direction (acceleration ∝ -displacement)
T = 2π √(m/k)
T = time period (s)
m = mass (kg)
k = spring constant (N/m)
If an identical spring is placed in parallel and a spring-mass simple harmonic motion experiment is repeated, suggest how this change would affect the fractional uncertainty in the mass of the block.
- When another spring is added in parallel, the forces produced by the two springs are added together (the spring constants are added together)
- A greater overall spring constant means a lower time period
- Fractional uncertainty in time period would increase as the absolute uncertainty is constant but the value is decreasing
- Mass is directly proportional to the time period so therefore, the fractional uncertainty in the mass would decrease for the same reason
When a source is moving towards a stationary observer, what can be said about the frequency?
Higher frequency
When a source is moving away from a stationary observer, what can be said about the frequency?
Lower frequency