Lecture Damped SHM and Wave Interference

These flashcards cover key concepts related to damped simple harmonic motion and wave interference, important for understanding the behavior of oscillations and waves.

Damped Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

A motion in which a system oscillates with a decreasing amplitude over time due to energy loss, typically due to friction or resistance.

Damping Constant

A measure of how quickly the amplitude of an oscillating system decreases, typically expressed in kg/s.

Underdamped System

A system that oscillates with decreasing amplitude, but continues to oscillate rather than quickly settling to equilibrium.

Critically Damped System

A system that returns to equilibrium as quickly as possible without oscillating.

Overdamped System

A system that returns to equilibrium slowly, without oscillating.

Damped Frequency

The frequency of oscillation of a damped system, which differs from the natural frequency due to the effects of damping.

Wave Equation

A mathematical representation of a wave, generally expressed as y(x,t) = A sin(kx - ωt + φ), where A is amplitude, k is wave number, ω is angular frequency, and φ is phase constant.

Constructive Interference

Occurs when two waves meet in phase, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude.

Destructive Interference

Occurs when two waves meet out of phase, resulting in a wave of lesser amplitude.

Phase Difference

The difference in phase angle between two waves, often measured in degrees or radians.

Standing Wave

A wave that remains in a constant position, typically formed by interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position.

Frequency

The number of cycles of a wave that occur in a unit of time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).

Period (T)

The time taken for one complete cycle of a wave, inversely related to frequency.

Wave Speed (v)

The speed at which a wave travels through a medium, calculated as v = fλ, where f is frequency and λ is wavelength.