Waves and Oscillations Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts related to waves and oscillations, including definitions, equations, and effects of various parameters.

What is the definition of oscillations?

Periodic (repetitive) motion.

What is the period (T) in oscillations?

The time it takes to repeat or cycle.

What is frequency (f)?

The number of cycles in a given time.

What is Hertz (Hz)?

The unit of frequency equal to 1 cycle per second.

What is the relationship between frequency and period?

They have an inverse relationship, f = 1/T.

What force does Hooke's law describe?

The spring force, F_H = -kΔx, which creates Simple Harmonic Motion.

What does amplitude (A) represent in oscillations?

The maximum displacement (Δx) from equilibrium.

In the time graph of harmonics, how is Δx described?

Δx = A cos(2πt/T).

What action increases the period of oscillation for a mass on a spring?

Increasing the mass.

How does increasing the spring constant affect the oscillation frequency?

It increases the frequency.

For a simple pendulum, what is the restoring force equation?

F_net = -mg sin(θ).

What is the period of a simple pendulum?

T = 2π√(L/g), independent of mass or amplitude.

What happens to the natural frequency when mass is added to a swing?

The natural frequency of the swing will decrease.

What is total mechanical energy in simple harmonic motion?

Mechanical Energy (ME) = Kinetic Energy (KE) + Potential Energy (PE_S).

How is spring potential energy (PE_S) calculated?

PE_S = 1/2 kx².

What occurs during constructive interference?

Waves overlap with the same sign amplitudes.

What occurs during destructive interference?

Waves overlap with opposite sign amplitudes.

What is a standing wave?

A wave that appears not to move, resulting from two identical periodic waves passing each other.

What defines a node in standing waves?

A point where the resultant wave does not move.

What defines an antinode in standing waves?

A point where the resultant wave has maximum displacement.

In a tube open at both ends, how are harmonics created?

The harmonics will have specific frequencies based on the tube's length.

What is the fundamental frequency of a tube?

The longest wavelength that fits in the tube.

What is the Doppler Effect?

The apparent change in frequency due to motion between the wave source and observer.

How does speed affect the pitch of a wave?

Moving towards the source increases pitch; moving away decreases pitch.

What determines the speed of sound in different media?

The rigidity and density of the medium.

What happens to sound waves when traveling through denser mediums?

They travel faster compared to less dense mediums.

How do you calculate the wavelength (λ) from frequency (f) and wave velocity (v_w)?

λ = v_w/f.

What happens to the amplitude of a wave as it spreads out with distance?

The amplitude decreases, causing the wave to weaken.

What is intensity in terms of waves?

The concentration of power transmitted by the wave.

What effect does distance have on sound intensity?

It decreases as distance from the source increases.

How do sound waves change when transitioning from air to water?

Wavelength decreases and frequency can change; the speed of sound art increase.

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency for a given wave speed?

They are inversely proportional; as one increases, the other decreases.