Oscillations and Waves (Physics)

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35 Terms

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Periodic Motion

Any motion that repeats itself over the same pathway.

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Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Periodic motion that occurs because of a restoring force (always trying to get back to the equilibrium point). Ex: swinging mass/pendulum or mass on a spring.

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Vibration

back and forth motion

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Frequency

cycles/time (Hz)

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Period

1/f (inverse of frequency)

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Pulse

a single disturbance

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Wave

a vibration (series of pulses) that move out through space

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Sine Wave

a pictorial representation of waves

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Crest

top of wave (highest point)

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Trough

lowest point of wave

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Equilibrium

resting position/middle position

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Amplitude

maximum displacement from equilibrium. measures strength and energy of a wave.

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Wavelength

distance from any 2 identical successive parts of a wave. Ex: crest to crest, trough to trough, etc.

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Medium

what a wave passes through. Ex: air, water, slinky, etc.

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Mechanical Wave

needs a medium to travel. Ex: sound waves

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Electromagnetic Wave

doesn’t need a medium to travel. Ex: light waves

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Transverse Wave

vibration is perpendicular to wave motion

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Longitudinal Wave

vibration is parallel to wave motion

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Compression aka Condensation

area of high pressure

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Rarefaction

area of low pressure

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Surface Waves

combination of transverse and longitudinal waves

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Principle of Superposition

When waves occupy the same space at the same time = resultant wave = sum of amplitudes

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Interference

when wave amplitudes combine

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In Phase

same part of the waves arrive at the same time

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Out of Phase

different parts of the wave arrive at the same time

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Constructive

when two waves undergo superposition in phase = bigger amplitude

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Destructive

when two waves undergo superposition out of phase = smaller amplitude

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Standing Wave

when two identical waves move in opposite directions and interfere

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Nodes

parts of a wave that don’t move (no displacement) - destructive interference

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Antinodes

parts that move (maximum displacement) - alternating constructive and destructive interference. there is always one more node than antinode.

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Damped Harmonic Motion

when something loses energy during simple harmonic motion (friction/air resistance)

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Under-Damped

a little bit of friction. (takes a long time to return to equilibrium + oscillates a lot).

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Over-Damped

takes a long time to return to equilibrium (no oscillations).

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Critically Damped

settles to equilibrium quickly without a lot of oscillations.

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Resonance

when natural frequency = forced vibration you get resonance and an increased amplitude.