Oscillations and Waves

Oscillations and Waves

1. The Pendulum

   • Properties of Pendulums
     • Pendulums move with simple harmonic motion
     • Different pendulums oscillate at different rates
       • Period of a pendulum=2 π √Length of pendulum/Acceleration due to gravity
         • T= 2π √L/g
   • Period and mass
   • Period and Amplitude
   • Period and Length
     • The value of g affects the period of a pendulum
     • Your legs act as pendulums when you walk
   • Resonance
     • Can produce large-amplitude oscillations
       • Natural Frequency
     • Affects how things are designed

2. Waves and Wave Properties

   • Wave formation and Wave Types
     • A wave is traveling disturbance
     • Perpendicular motions occur in transverse waves
     • Parallel motions occur in longitudinal waves
     • Water waves have a combination of properties
   • Wave Properties and Behavior
     • Troughs
     • Crests
     • Waves have characteristic properties
       • Wavelength(λ)
         • SI Unit: m
     • Wavelength and Frequency determine Wave Speed
       • Speed= Wavelength/Period
         • v=λ/T
       • Speed=Wavelength x frequency
         • v=λf
           • SI Unit: m/s
     • Waves have different speeds in different materials
       • Medium
       • Mechanical Waves
     • A wave can reflect in different ways

3. Interacting Waves

   • Superoposition and Interference
     • Overlapping Waves Interact with one another
       • Resultant waves
     • Resultant Waves can be larger or smaller
       • Constructive interference
       • Destructive Interference
     • Interacting eaves can form interference patterns
   • Standing Waves
     • Specific points along a standing wave do not move
       • Nodes
       • Antinode
     • Certain frequencies produce standing waves
   • Harmonics
     • The length of a musical instrument determines its frequency range
     • The frets on a guitar are not equally spaced

4. Oscillations and Periodic Motion

   • Simple Harmonic Motion
     • Restoring Force
     • Amplitude
       • Changes in amplitude does not affect the period
   • Periodic Motion
     • Period
       • T=1/frequency(f)
         • Peiod (T)=2π √mass(m)/Spring constant(k)
           • SI unit: seconds/cycle(s)
     • Frequency
       • f= 1/Period(T)
         • SI Unit= Hertz(Hz)