IB PHYSICS Topic 9: Wave phenomena

Wave

A transfer of energy that usually involves a periodic, repetitive movement and does not result in a net movement of the medium or particles in the medium.

Wavelength

The distance between two successive identical parts of a wave.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement from the neutral position of a wave, representing the energy of the wave.

Displacement

The position of a particular point in the medium as it moves when a wave passes.

Frequency

The number of repetitions per second in a wave, measured in hertz (Hz).

Period

The time for one wavelength to pass a point in a wave.

Velocity

The speed at which a specific part of a wave passes a point.

Transverse Waves

Waves in which the medium moves at right angles to the direction of the wave.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves in which the movement of the particles in the medium is in the same dimension as the direction of movement of the wave.

Mechanical Waves

Waves that require a medium to propagate, such as sound waves, waves in a slinky, and water waves.

Matter Waves

Waves that describe the motion of any moving object, such as the disturbance caused by a stone dropped into a pond.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves that do not require a medium for propagation and can travel through a vacuum, produced by changes in magnetic and electric fields.

Amplitude

The height of a wave, directly related to the amount of energy carried by the wave.

Wavelength

The distance between identical points in adjacent cycles of crests of a wave.

Period

The time for a particle on a medium to complete one vibrational cycle.

Frequency

The number of waves passing a point in a certain time, measured in hertz (Hz).

Speed

The distance traveled by a given point on a wave in a given interval of time.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Described by Newton's Second Law, characterized by equations for displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Energy Changes

In SHM, there is an exchange between kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) throughout the motion, while the total energy (KE + PE) remains constant.

Periodic Motion

A motion that repeats itself after an equal interval of time, such as uniform circular motion.

Oscillation Motion

To and fro motion of a particle about a mean position, bounded between two extreme points, with a restoring force directed towards the equilibrium position.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

A special case of oscillation along a straight line between two extreme points, with a restoring force directed towards the equilibrium position.

Single-Slit Diffraction

Distinct diffraction patterns that emerge when light passes through a single slit comparable in size to the wavelength of the light.

Angle of Diffraction

The angle at which diffraction occurs, determined by the wavelength of light and the size/length of the slit.

Interference

The phenomenon of overlapping waves creating regions of constructive and destructive interference.

Young's Double-Slit Experiment

An experiment that demonstrates interference patterns when light passes through two slits, resulting in regions of constructive and destructive interference.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish between two closely spaced points or objects.

Diffracting Aperture Size

The size of the aperture through which an image passes, affecting the resolution of the image.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency of a wave due to the relative motion between the source of the wave and the observer.

Doppler Equation

Equations that describe the frequency shift in sound waves and electromagnetic waves based on the movement of the source and/or observer.