5. Waves

Waves

The overarching subject covering various types of waves, oscillations, and sound.

Mechanical Wave

Requires a medium to propagate; vibrations spread through a medium.

Electromagnetic Wave

Does not require a medium to propagate (e.g., light, radio waves); travels at the speed of light.

Oscillation

A periodic motion that repeats over a fixed period.

Equilibrium Position

The point where the net force on an oscillating object is zero; velocity is highest here.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.

Instantaneous Deflection/displacement

The position of the oscillating point at any given moment; depends on period and magnitude of deviation for harmonic oscillation.

Spring Oscillator

Characterized by the stiffness of the spring and the mass of the oscillating object.

Angular Frequency

A measure of the rate of oscillation, related to frequency.

Standing Wave

Formed by the interference of two waves of the same frequency, wavelength, and amplitude traveling in opposite directions.

Doppler Effect

Occurs due to the relative motion of the wave source or observer.

Huygens' Principle

Describes the source of spreading waves.

Modulations of Oscillations

Changes in the amplitude of oscillations.

Visible Spectrum (Light)

The range of electromagnetic radiation visible to the human eye.

Sound Frequencies

The range of sound vibrations perceptible by the human ear.

Wavelength of Standing Wave (FORMULA)

λ=2d ; λ is wavelength, d is distance between adjacent oscillations (nodes or antinodes)

Angular Frequency to Frequency(ω)(FORMULA)

ω=2πf ; ω is angular frequency, f is frequency.

Wave Speed (v)(FORMULA)

v=fλ ; v is wave speed, f is frequency, λ is wavelength.

Distance, Speed, Time (FORMULA)

Distance=SpeedxTime

DOPPLER EFFECT (FORMULA)

f' = f × (v ± v₀) / (v ∓ vs)

where, f' is observed frequency, f is source frequency, v is speed of sound, v₀ is speed of observer, vs = speed of source; sign depends on direction

if the observer is moving toward the source

In the doppler effect formula when do you use a minus ?

how to calculate frequency in terms of crests

f=number of crests/time