Physics: Periodic Motion, Waves, and Resonance Concepts

What is periodic motion?

Motion that repeats over and over in a regular pattern.

What is simple harmonic motion (SHM)?

Repeating back-and-forth motion around an equilibrium position.

What is an equilibrium position?

The middle or resting position of an object.

What is amplitude?

The maximum distance an object or wave moves from its equilibrium position.

What is period (T)?

The time it takes to complete one full cycle.

What is frequency (f)?

The number of complete cycles that happen each second.

How are frequency and period related?

They are inversely related.

What is the formula connecting frequency and period?

f = 1/T

How do you find period from frequency?

T = 1/f

What is Hooke's Law?

F = -kx

What does F mean in Hooke's Law?

Spring force, measured in Newtons (N).

What does k mean in Hooke's Law?

The spring constant, which tells how stiff the spring is.

What does x mean in Hooke's Law?

The displacement from the equilibrium position, measured in meters (m).

Why is there a negative sign in Hooke's Law?

The spring force points back toward the equilibrium position.

What is the formula for the period of a mass-spring system?

T = 2π√(m/k)

What happens to the period when the mass increases?

The period gets longer.

What happens to the period when the spring gets stiffer?

The period gets shorter.

What is a pendulum?

An object hanging from a fixed point that swings back and forth.

What is the formula for the period of a pendulum?

T = 2π√(L/g)

Does the period of a pendulum depend on mass?

No.

Does the period of a pendulum depend on length?

Yes.

What is the value of gravitational acceleration?

g ≈ 9.8 m/s²

What is a wave?

A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another.

What is wavelength (λ)?

The distance between matching points on consecutive waves.

What is a crest?

The highest point of a transverse wave.

What is a trough?

The lowest point of a transverse wave.

What is the formula for wave speed?

v = fλ

What does v mean in v = fλ?

Wave speed, measured in meters per second (m/s).

What does f mean in v = fλ?

Frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz).

What does λ mean in v = fλ?

Wavelength, measured in meters (m).

What is the formula for speed?

v = d/t

What is a transverse wave?

A wave where particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

What is an example of a transverse wave?

A wave traveling along a rope.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A wave where particles move back and forth parallel to the direction the wave travels.

What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

Sound waves.

What is a compression?

An area of a longitudinal wave where particles are close together.

What is a rarefaction?

An area of a longitudinal wave where particles are spread apart.

What is a surface wave?

A wave that combines transverse and longitudinal motion.

What is an example of a surface wave?

Ocean waves.

What is constructive interference?

When two waves combine and make a larger wave.

What is destructive interference?

When two waves combine and partially or completely cancel each other out.

What is a standing wave?

A wave pattern that appears to stay in one place.

What is a node?

A point on a standing wave that does not move.

What is an antinode?

A point on a standing wave that has the maximum movement.

What is pitch?

How high or low a sound sounds.

What determines pitch?

Frequency.

What happens to pitch when frequency increases?

Pitch increases.

What happens to pitch when frequency decreases?

Pitch decreases.

What is the Doppler effect?

The change in observed frequency caused by motion between the source and the observer.

What happens to frequency when a sound source approaches you?

The observed frequency increases.

What happens to pitch when a sound source approaches you?

The pitch sounds higher.

What happens to frequency when a sound source moves away from you?

The observed frequency decreases.

What happens to pitch when a sound source moves away from you?

The pitch sounds lower.

What is resonance?

When an object is forced to vibrate at or very close to its natural frequency.

What conditions are needed for resonance?

The driving frequency must be equal or very close to the object's natural frequency.

What is an example of resonance?

Pushing a swing at the right time so it goes higher.

What is a closed-pipe resonator?

A pipe that is closed on one end and open on the other.

What is the fundamental relationship for a closed pipe?

L = λ/4

How do you find wavelength in a closed pipe?

λ = 4L

What is an open-pipe resonator?

A pipe that is open on both ends.

What is the fundamental relationship for an open pipe?

L = λ/2

How do you find wavelength in an open pipe?

λ = 2L

What is the difference between frequency and period?

Frequency tells how many cycles happen per second, while period tells how long one cycle takes.

If frequency increases, what happens to period?

Period decreases.

If frequency decreases, what happens to period?

Period increases.

Does amplitude affect wave energy?

Yes.

What does amplitude tell you about a wave?

It tells how far the wave moves from its equilibrium position.

What is the difference between amplitude and wavelength?

Amplitude is the distance from the middle to the crest or trough; wavelength is the distance between matching points on consecutive waves.

Can the speed of waves in a spring be changed?

Yes.

Can the frequency of a wave in a spring be changed?

Yes.

What happens to wavelength if frequency increases while wave speed stays the same?

Wavelength decreases.

What happens to wavelength if frequency decreases while wave speed stays the same?

Wavelength increases.

What happens when two waves interfere constructively?

They add together and create a larger amplitude.

What happens when two waves interfere destructively?

They cancel each other partially or completely.

What is the difference between a node and an antinode?

A node has no movement, while an antinode has maximum movement.

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Transverse particles move perpendicular to the wave direction, while longitudinal particles move parallel.

What happens to the period when mass increases in a spring system?

The period increases.

What happens to the period when the spring constant increases?

The period decreases.

What happens to the period when pendulum length increases?

The period increases.

What happens to the period when pendulum length decreases?

The period decreases.

What is the mass-spring period formula?

T = 2π√(m/k)

What is the pendulum period formula?

T = 2π√(L/g)

What is the wave speed formula?

v = fλ

What is the frequency-period formula?

f = 1/T

What is the speed-distance-time formula?

v = d/t

What is the spring force formula?

F = -kx

What is the closed-pipe formula?

L = λ/4

What is the open-pipe formula?

L = λ/2

What does a higher frequency mean?

More cycles happen every second.

What does a lower frequency mean?

Fewer cycles happen every second.

What does a higher amplitude mean?

The wave has a larger displacement from equilibrium.

What does a lower amplitude mean?

The wave has a smaller displacement from equilibrium.

What is the main idea of the Doppler effect?

An observer hears a different frequency because the source and observer are moving relative to each other.

What is the main idea of resonance?

An object vibrates strongly when the driving frequency matches its natural frequency.