Classical and Quantum Waves Flashcards
(138 cards)
longitudinal
if the oscillation of the medium’s particles is in the same direction as the propagation of the wave.
transverse
if the oscillation of the medium’s particles is perpendicular to that of the wave propagation
periodic waves
those which can be closely modeled by a simple harmonic oscillator
properties to characterise waves by
wave speed
wavelength
period
frequency
angular frequency
wave number
amplitude
for wave travelling along a straight line alligned along x-axis
if take photograph of wave at time t=0, transverse motion of any point is described by
y(x)=Asin(2pix/lambda)
spatial frequency
term 2pi/lambda of the wave, commonly known as the wave number
SI unit radm^-1
generalising transverse motion of wave equation to cover all potential times
y=Asin[2pi/lambda(x-vt)]
most common form of wave equation
y=Asin(kx-wt)
argument of the sin function in wave equation
phase of the wave
wave speed
v=flambda = w/k = dx/dt
definition of simple harmonic oscillator
transverse acceleration is proportional to displacement
one-dimensional wave equation
d2y/dx2 = 1/v^2 d2y/dt2
speed of a wave is determined by
the tension in the string and the mass per unit length (aka linear mass density)
increasing the tension
increases the restoring forces that tend to straighten the string when it is disturbed, increasing the wave speed
if you increase the mass per unit length
the motion becomes more sluggish and so speed drops
derivation of specific wave disturbance - proving vy is constant.
mass string negligible
at t=0 constant Fy at LHS
wave constant speed, point p moves with p
all point left of p move with vy
impulse =Fyt
no initial momentum so Fyt=mvy
since p moving, total moving mass, m prop to t
change in momentum must be associated with increasing mass so vy is constant.
derivation of a specific wave disturbance - proving v=sqrt(F/mu)
at t lhs moved up vyt, P moved horizontal distance vt
net tension lhs is sqrt(F^2+Fy^2) >F
2 similar triangles: Fy/F=vyt/vt
transverse impulse: Fyt=vy/v Ft
moving mass m=muvt
transverse momentum = mvy = muvtvy
equate with transverse impulse and rearrange
derivation: generalised approach
mass of segment = mu delta x
horizontal forces equal and opposite
slope at end = F1y/F at other end = F2y/F
F1y/F = -dy/dx, F2y/F=dy/dx
Fy=F1y+F2y
apply newton 2
let delta x go to 0
string to the left of point a exerts
a force on the string to the right of it
and vice versa
Fy(x,t) must be negative when
the slope is positive
when point a moves in the y directions, Fy(x,t)…
does work on this point and therefore transfers energy into the part of the string to the right of a
power=
Fv
=Fy(x,t)vy(x,t)
power in the string is the
instantaneous rate at which energy is transferred along the strong at position x and time t
how to get to Pmax
from standard transverse wave expression
sub into eqn
max is whatever is infront of sin/cos terms