Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physics 1 > Waves and Oscillations > Flashcards

Waves and Oscillations Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Physics 101 flashcards AP® Physics flashcards
1
Q

Oscillations

A

Involve any motion that regularly repeats itself about a fixed (equilibrium/mean) point: this mean point is usually where it comes to rest

Ex. mass moving on vertical spring; simple pendulum (whatever is attached to string is called a bob [won’t likely see b/c too simple]); light object bobbing up and down in water; diving board; swing; ruler; etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Displacement (x)

A

The instantaneous (in the course of the journey, displacemt. can change [so, at an instant]) distance of the oscillating object from the mean point in a given direction (unit: m)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Amplitude (A)

A

Max displacement of object from mean position. There can only be one amplitude (unit: m)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Frequency (F/f)

A

of oscillations (cycles [full circle/full path and ) completed by the object in one second (unit: Hz)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Period (T)

A

Time taken to complete one oscillation (unit: s).

F = 1/T

Inversely proportional (do inverse to find other).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Phase difference (Φ)

A

Angle difference between two oscillations that are out of phase. In ex. (a?), phase difference 180º/π (half a cycle, which is 360º).

In-phase: same side, same point
Out-of-phase: different sides, same point

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Simple harmonic motion (SHM)

A

Oscillation where acceleration caused by a restoring force is always proportional to its displacement, and it is always directed towards the mean position (opposite the displacement)

Defining equation:
a ∝ -x
a = -w^(2)x

The acceleration is caused by a restoring force (F): since a ∝ -x, F ∝ -x

Negative sign signifies that a always points back towards mean position (opposite displacement)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

SHM graph

A

a on y, x on x: when one positive, other negative (negative, linear [passes through origin])

*See note for a, v, x and, potentially, other formula (when x max, a max and opposite [v zero])…

W/ x and v, just remember free fall (as it falls, x decrease and v increases: as it rises, x increases and v decreases)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Energy during SHM

A

*Refer to note if needed…

Energy never negative, so above x-axis (t on x-axis): total E fixed, but KE and PE change throughout journey (see graph)—when one max, other zero (equal at two points)

PE decreases as going down; KE increases as going down

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Wave pulse

A

Single disturbance that travels through a medium (one loop is a pulse and two is a cycle)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Continuous/Progressive wave

A

Repeated disturbance that propagates through a medium, transferring energy (going in same direction) from one place to another, w/o the net motion of the medium (medium doesn’t travel w/ the wave [remember pink Post-it on slinky, the medium]

Particles of medium oscillate abt mean position, returns to mean (no net movt of medium); oscillation of medium particles is SHM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Transverse wave

A

Wave whose oscillation of medium particles is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

Ex. water waves, all EM waves (radio, micro, gamma, x-, infrared, visible)

Almost all waves we know of are transverse (few are longitudinal [sound the most pervasive ex.])

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Longitudinal wave

A

Other category (based on relationship between oscillation of medium particles and direction of energy transfer)

Wave whose oscillation of medium particles is parallel to the direction of energy transfer

Ex. sound waves, earthquake, ultrasound, etc.

W/ sound, air molecules compressed together (compression) or spread apart (rarefaction)

*See note, ofc (sine graphs can represent any wave [only labels change])

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Wavefronts

A

One of two concepts used in wave analysis

Lines representing all particles of waves that are in phase w/ equal amt of wavelength (full cycles)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Ray

A

Other concept

Line extending outwards from the source of a wave, representing every part of the wave (shows direction of energy flow/travel direction)—used to describe characteristics of waves

*Perpendicular to wavefront
*when x-axis x, wavelength; when t, period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Wavelength (λ)

A

Shortest distance between two points that are in phase OR distance from crest to adjacent crest OR trough to adjacent trough (unit: m)

*Three

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Wavespeed (c or v)

A

Speed at which energy is transferred by a wave through a medium (unit: ms^[-1])

c = fλ

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Intensity (I)

A

Power per unit area of wavefront (unit: Wm^[-2])

I ∝ A^2

*A is amplitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Electromagnetic (EM) waves

A

Oscillation electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer/propagation of the waves (the two fields are at right angles to each other)

Move at the speed of light (3 x 10^8 ms^[-1])

They’re transverse waves and are classified according to their wavelengths or frequencies (classification called the EM spectrum)

E ∝ f
E = hf
f ∝ 1/λ

Through a vacuum

Visible light is of the range 400-800 nm (or 400-700 nm [range, so doesn’t really matteer]) and has the colours ROYBGIV (increasing f, decreasing λ)

*Need to know the actual values…

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Sound waves

A

Disturbances that propagate through the aire, compressing and expanding the air molecules as they move (in other words, it changes the air pressure/density as it moves)

Direction of the oscillating of the molecules is parallel to the propagation of the waves, making it a longitudinal wave

Reflect off a wall/barrier, resulting in an echo (why one’s voice sounds differently in the room from the outside)

Travel the fastest in solids (molecules closely packed together)

Travel faster in gases of higher temp (greater particle collision) than those of lower temp

W/ ex., tuning fork produced sound, set air molecules in motion, which then carried the sound to your ears

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Reflection

A

The bouncing off of a wave on hitting a barrier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Reflection at fixed end

A

Wave inverted as it bounces off

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Reflection at loose end

A

No inversion

*Loose meaning not tightly attached

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Diffraction

A

Another property of all types of waves

The spreading out/scattering (particles can scatter/diffract as well) of waves when they pass through apertures/holes/slits or meet obstacles (don’t say ‘bending,’ as it may not be precise enough/advanced enough [?])

Try to squeeze themselves through, spread out

*Regardless of shape, those lines are wavefronts

For circular apertures, wavefronts will become circular (once squeeze through, will spread out on other side)

For obstacles, only place waves can pass through is after obstacle (all will try to squeeze through upper part [in process, scatter])

25
Q

Factors that affect diffraction

A

Aperture size - the smaller the aperture, the greater the diffraction/spreading (and vice versa)

*For big aperture, more or less horizontal in middle (diffraction less pronounced [very wide would mean hardly any diffraction])

Wavelength of wave - the greater the wavelength, the more the diffraction

26
Q

Applications of diffraction

A

Dispersion of light into its component colors by compact disc (CD), polished surfaces, etc. (little holes in CD covered in plastic film)

Measurement of blood flow (complex device at big hospitals makes use of diffraction)

Hearing of sounds when the source isn’t seen

27
Q

Refraction

A

Change in speed/wavelength (directly proportional) of a wave as it goes from one medium to another

Results in the bending of the wave

Frequency of wave constant during refraction (v = fλ [if two variables change, one must remain fixed])

Angle, λ, speed, # of particles/density (of medium), direction—all these are changing

*See bonding…

28
Q

Less dense to more

A

Refracted ray bends towards normal

n2 > n1

*Refractive index is a function of medium density (and directly proportional])

29
Q

More dense to less

A

Refracted ray bends away from normal

n1 > n2

30
Q

NOTE (refr.)

A

When moving from less dense to more dense, speed decreases, wavelength decreases, frequency stays constant, and light bends towards normal

When moving from more dense to less dense, speed increases (less restriction by particles), wavelength increases, frequency stays constant, and light bends away from normal

Density of medium directly proportional to refractive index (ability of a medium ot bend a wave)

31
Q

Refraction of wavefronts

A

W/ wavefronts, forget abt normal; just focus on boundary (other way around for ray)

Less dense to more dense:

Here, bends away

Angle between wavefront line and boundary (same for each line)

Wavelength decreasing

More dense to less dense:

Wavelength increasing (moving closer to boundary, away from normal)

32
Q

Snell’s Law

A

States that when a ray is refracted between two different media, n = sin i/sin r, where n is a constant (refractive index)

Law applies to when light moves from air/vacuum to another medium (medium 1)

sin i/sin r = n2 (refractive index of medium 2)/n1 (refractive index of medium 1)

Refractive index of air/vacuum is approximately 1

33
Q

NOTE

A

Refraction does not occur if light strikes a boundary at 90º (has to be less)

n = v1 (speed of incident ray)/v2 (speed of refracted ray) = λ1 (λ of incident ray)/λ2 (λ of refracted ray)

n2/n1 = sin i/sin r = v1/v2 = λ1/λ2

*λ part not in db

W/ interference of ex. water waves (generally, for liquids), where the wavefronts intersect, constructive, and anywhere they don’t, destructive (different types)

See single-slit graphs and others….

For polarization using a polaroid/polarizer, a polaroid is a substance used to polarize light

34
Q

Applications of refraction

A

Objects in water appear to be in different positions

Splitting of whit light into ROYGBIV

35
Q

Interference (Superposition)

A

The combination of two or more identical (same wavelength, frequency, same type) waves traveling in opposite directions to form a resultant wave

Displacements combine (don’t just say A’s b/c all x’s combine, whether A or not)

36
Q

Superposition Principle

A

States that when two or more waves overlap (combine) , the overall displacement of the resultant wave is a vector sum of the displacements of the individual waves

37
Q

Constructive interference

A

The individual waves on same side of the mean position combine to form a resultant wave w/ a bigger displacement (after, continues journey in same direction)

38
Q

Destructive interference

A

The individual waves on opposite sides combine to produce a resultant wave whose displacement is smaller

39
Q

Complete destructive interference

A

A special kind of destructive interference that involves two waves w/ same displacement

40
Q

Law of Reflection

A

States that when an incident ray strikes at an angle on a boundary, the individual angle equals the reflected angle (i = r)

*On diagram w/ fixed boundary, wave reflected and inverted back, but some was transmitted/refracted and had less amplitude/energy)

So, you’ll have both when the angle is less than 90

Greater the incident angle, greater the refracted angle (proportional [n2 = sin i/sin r])

41
Q

Critical angle

A

The incident angle at which the refracted ray (critical ray) has an angle of 90 (a little further [increase that passes]?)

*Partially refracted angle still present: when 90 passed, only one present (when refracted angle 90, disappears [no refraction])

42
Q

Total internal reflection

A

Only occurs when more dense at top

Occurs when the incident angle > the critical angle (at this angle, refraction cannot occur anymore [incident ray will be totally reflected])

*See formula, remembering that medium 2 is not your air/vacuum, the refracted angle is 90, and i is now your critical angle

43
Q

Polarization

A

Polarized light is a light for which the electric field is oscillating in only one plane

Only electric fields blocked (magnetic still goes through [doesn’t affect polarization]): only that which aligns w/ polarizer passes (can be horizontally or vertically polarized)

Originally, changes plane continuously (? [electric and magnetic, and at right angles to each other—2)

No light at all when everything filtered out (even if magnetic going through, if no electric present, no longer light [light is a combo])

All the different planes…

Non-polarized light is light whose electric fields vibrate in different directions

44
Q

Methods of polarization

A

Using a polaroid/polarizer, by reflection, by refraction, by scattering

45
Q

Polarization by reflection

A

Natural (don’t do anything to make it happen): when light is incident on a transparent object (ex. glass, water, plastic, non-metallic surface), it is horizontally polarized

Application: if a horizontally polarized light hit polarized sunglasses with a vertical transmission, no light would pass through

If diagonal, component (some still go through b/c other things happening to light [as long as not 90])

46
Q

Analyzer

A

Type of polarization used to detect direction of unpolarized light (if you didn’t know at first, can find out)

If analyzer is parallel or at an angle to the polarized light, light will get through

But if the analyzer is placed perpendicular to polarized light, there’ll be a zero transmission

ex. unpolarized through vertical polarizer (only vertical passes through), then parallel analyzer (goes through), then horizontal analyzer (no light)

47
Q

Malus’ Law

A

States that an analyzer only allows a component of polarized light in same direction w/ it to be transmitted through

Applies when the polarized light strikes the analyzer at an angle

See formulae…

48
Q

Double-slit/Two-slit interference

A

Conditions necessary for a clear interference pattern for double-slit:
- Sources must be coherent (must maintain a constant phase difference)
- The two sources must have the same amplitude/intensity and frequency/wavelength

See equations and graphs…

s = distance between two adjacent maxima

D = distance to screen

d = separation of slits

b = slit size

x = width of first max

49
Q

Inverse Square Law of Radiation

A

States that for a given area of a medium (?), the intensity of light received is inversely proportional to the square of distance from the point source

I = P/Area = P/4πr^2

50
Q

Diffraction/Interference of light (or sound)

A

Through a single slit:

Path length - distance traveled by wave (ray) from source to location

Path difference (∆L) - difference in path length between two waves

51
Q

Conditions for constructive interference

A
  1. Phase difference = 0
  2. Path difference = nλ, where n = 0, 1, 2, 3,…
52
Q

Conditions for destructive interference

A
  1. Phase difference = π (or 180º)
  2. Path difference = (n +1/2)λ, n is a positive integer
53
Q

Single-slit diffraction/interference

A

See diagram…?

Series of bright and dark bands on screen (fringes)

  1. When light is incident on a single slit, both diffraction and interference occur as a result
  2. Constructive interference will occur if path difference is nλ (produces bright bands on screen)
  3. Destructive interference will occur if path difference is (nλ + 1/2)—produces dark bands on screen
  4. λ of light must ≈ the slit size

See diagram…
Central brightest
Goes by half λ in either direction

54
Q

Standing/Stationary waves

A

Special kinds of waves that occur as a result of reflection and interference (have to happen at the same time) of the following:
- two identical waves
- of same speed, λ, and A
- traveling in opposite directions

Resultant wave is a now fixed wave (in one place, but still moving, ofc), whose amplitude varies (different spots it can be at as it vibrates)

Two fixed ends reflect and then interfere (new wave)

Change f to change # of loops

Max fatness (width) multiples of first harmonic (?)

Three nodes and two antinodes make up a λ

55
Q

Antinode (A) and node (N)

A

A - point of max displacement (constructive interference occurs)

N - points of zero displacement (complete destructive interference occurs)

56
Q

Comparing standing and traveling waves

A

Amplitude variable for standing, but all points have same for traveling

Standing has energy, but it’s non-transferrable (trapped); w/ traveling, energy can be transferred

W/ standing, waves don’t travel (stationary); w/ traveling, waves travel from one point to another

W/ standing, λ is twice the distance between two consecutive nodes/antinodes; w/ traveling, it’s the distance between two points in phase

W/ standing, velocity direction may vary (string may be going upwards or downwards); w/ traveling, velocity direction of wave is the same (wave travels in one direction)

57
Q

Modes of vibration (harmonics)

A

Sound means vibration of air molecules: b/c longitudinal, vibrate left/right (front/back).

F= nF (subscript 0 [or 1?]: fundamental frequency [frequency of first harmonic])

λ = 2L/n

and then use

f = v/λ

So, frequency of new will just be a multiple

n = # of harmonics

L = length of string

Have to consider however many loops make up one length: how many lengths to get two loops?

ex. 3rd harmonic: 3x = 2

Don’t forget subscripts to represent harmonics

n for harmonics on strings w/ two fixed ends can represent either # of harmonics or loops

58
Q

For a pipe open at both ends

A

B/c two ends open, can’t have a node at each end

Same as string fixed at two ends

Just have to consider that loops at end are half (two make one)

Length is just length of pipe

A still at highest points, ofc

NOTE:
- For diagram, dots represent molecules in air of pipe, double-headed arrows represent how far the air molecules oscillate back and forth (A of the oscillations); molecules at antinodes oscillate most (molecules at nodes don’t oscillate at all [only dots; no arrows])
- Harmonics represents changes in sounds (different sounds/tunes correspond to different harmonics [why they have different frequencies—like plucking a guitar string])

59
Q

For a pipe closed at one end

A

Same as string fixed at one end

Loop # half of harmonic # (yes, decimal)—half at open end

NOTE:
- Only odd harmonics present (n = 1, 3, 5,…)

Physics 1 (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions