Physics of Music: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Flashcards covering key concepts of simple harmonic motion, wave properties, and the Doppler effect in music physics.

What is Hooke's Law formula for a mass on a spring?

F = -kx, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the position relative to equilibrium.

What is the frequency (f) in simple harmonic motion?

The number of oscillations per second.

What is the formula for the period (T) in simple harmonic motion?

T = 1/f, where T is the period and f is the frequency.

What does the amplitude (A) in simple harmonic motion represent?

The greatest distance from equilibrium.

What is damping in the context of SHM?

A frictional force that decreases the amplitude of an object in SHM but doesn't change its frequency.

What is the difference between a pulse and a wave?

A pulse is a single disturbance that moves through a medium, while a wave is a periodic disturbance that moves through the medium.

What is the defining characteristic of a transverse wave?

The medium oscillates perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.

What is the defining characteristic of a longitudinal wave?

The medium oscillates parallel to the direction the wave is moving.

How is wavelength (λ) defined?

The distance between peaks on a wave or any other part.

What is the formula for wave speed (v)?

v = fλ, where f is the frequency and λ is the wavelength.

What are nodes in a standing wave?

Points on a standing wave where the medium does NOT move.

What are antinodes in a standing wave?

Points on a standing wave where the medium moves the most.

What is the formula for the speed of sound in air?

v = 331 m/s * sqrt(1 + TC/273), where TC is the temperature in Celsius.

What happens during resonance?

It occurs when the driving frequency is the same as the natural frequency of the system.

What is the beat frequency formula?

fb = |fA - fB|, where fA and fB are the frequencies of the two tones.

What is the Doppler Effect when a sound source is moving toward an observer?

The sound waves reach the listener bunched up, resulting in a higher frequency and pitch.

What happens to sound waves if a source is moving away from an observer?

The sound waves reach the listener stretched out, resulting in a lower frequency and pitch.