Physics Unit 1 - Waves and Oscillations

Wave

Disturbance that carries E thru matter/space (medium)

Mechanical Waves

Waves that transfer E through a medium

Electromagnetic Waves

Carry E through space (a vacuum)

Created from vibrations between electric/magnetic fields

Only Transverse

Transverse waves

Particles move perpendicular to wave motion

Longitudinal Waves

Particles move parallel to wave motion

Compression

High concentration of particles in a Longitudinal Wave

Rarefaction

Spread out particles in a Longitudinal Wave

Crest

Highest point (peak) on a transverse wave

Trough

Lowest point on a transverse wave

Amplitude (A)

Wave height from main position in m

Wavelength

Distance between 2 successive crests/troughs in m

Frequency (f)

number of waves made in 1 sec in Hz

Period (T)

Time for 1 wave in sec

Period and Frequency

Are the reciprocal of one another

ie. f = 1/T and T = 1/f

Wave Speed Equation

Speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m)

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radio Waves

Micro Waves

Infrared

Visible Light

Ultraviolet

X-Rays

Gamma Rays

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Type of oscillation by repeatedly acting to restore an object to equilibrium. 

Equation for SHM

a = -w²(x)
a=acceleration

w=omega

x=displacement

Angular Frequency

w = 2πf 

w = 2π/T

Condition for SHM

acceleration is always in the opposite direction of displacement (hence the negative sign)

SHM Graph

Time on X axis, Displacement on Y axis

Sinusoidal Shape