PHYSICS WAVES

Harmonic Motion

repeating motion pattern

Period

time for one cycle

Frequency

cycles per second

Amplitude

max distance from equilibrium

Simple Harmonic Motion

restoring force proportional to displacement

Damping

amplitude decreases over time

Resonance

big amplitude when forced at natural frequency

Equilibrium Position

point where net force is zero

Restoring Force

pulls object back to equilibrium

Phase Difference

how out of sync waves are

Wave

energy traveling through a medium or space

Transverse Wave

particles move perpendicular to wave

Longitudinal Wave

particles move parallel to wave

Crest

highest point of wave

Trough

lowest point of wave

Wavelength

distance between identical points on a wave

Frequency (waves)

waves per second

Amplitude (waves)

max displacement

Reflection

wave bounces off surface

Refraction

wave bends entering new medium

Diffraction

wave spreads around edges or openings

Interference

waves combine

Absorption

wave energy taken in by material

Node

no movement point in standing wave

Antinode

max movement point in standing wave

Circular Wave

circular wavefronts

Standing Wave

stationary wave pattern

Harmonic

specific standing wave pattern

Plane Wave

parallel wavefronts