Topic 4: Oscillation and Waves

Question 1

What is a wave?

Answer 1

an oscillations that carries energy from one place to another without a transfer of mass

Question 2

What is propagation?

Answer 2

any way in which waves travel

Question 3

Do sound waves require a medium?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

Does electromagnetic radiation need a medium?

Answer 4

No, the travels through space

Question 5

Define oscillation

Answer 5

a periodic motion about a point of equilibrium

Question 6

Define wavelength

Answer 6

the distance between 2 points of a wave that have the same phase

Question 7

Define wavefront

Answer 7

surface containing waves in identical phases

Question 8

Describe a transverse wave

Answer 8

the direction of propagation and direction of oscillation are perpendicular

Question 9

Describe a longitudinal wave

Answer 9

the direction of propagation and oscillation are parallel

Question 10

What is a period?

Answer 10

time taken for a complete cycle (s) T=1/f

Question 11

What is frequency?

Answer 11

number of cycles per unit time F=1/T in 1/s

Question 12

What is a simple harmonic oscillation?

Answer 12

A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the force of displacement

Question 13

What is displacement?

Answer 13

distance of the body object at that time from the point of equilibrium

Question 14

Equation for angular frequency:

Answer 14

ω=2πf

Question 15

What is the point of equilibrium?

Answer 15

the point about which the oscillating body moves

Question 16

What is amplitude

Answer 16

the maximum displacement

Question 17

What is displacement?

Answer 17

the distance of the body object at that time from the point of equilibrium

Question 18

In harmonic oscillations, oscillations move in a straight line according to….

Answer 18

a sine function

Question 19

In harmonic oscillations, velocity changes with time as a _______ function

Answer 19

cosine

Question 20

What is Hooke’s Law?

Answer 20

F=-kx stating that

Question 21

What is damping?

Answer 21

Something dissipating the energy of the oscillation (ex. friction)

Question 22

What is a damped driven oscillation?

Answer 22

an oscillation with damping that has an additional force acting on it additional to the restoring force

Question 23

What eigenfrequency?

Answer 23

natural frequency/resonant frequency: rate at which an object vibrates when it’s not disturbed by an outside force

Question 24

What are the different types of electromagnetic waves from lowest to highest frequency?

Answer 24

radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, gamma rays

Question 25

How can waves be classified according to it's propagation dimension??

Answer 25

they can be classified as one dimensional, surface or spacial

Question 26

What are electromagnetic waves called?

Answer 26

Photons

Question 27

When does diffraction occur?

Answer 27

when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit

Question 28

Interference and DIFFRACTION can be demonstated in what experiment? Describe the experiment

Answer 28

Young's experiment where there are 2 slits for light to pass through, there will be alternating bands of light and dark. Dark bands demonstrated destructive interference where light bands demonstrate constructive interference

Question 29

Interference and DIFFRACTION can be demonstrated in what experiment? Describe the experiment

Answer 29

Young's experiment where there are 2 slits for light to pass through, there will be alternating bands of light and dark. Dark bands demonstrated destructive interference where light bands demonstrate constructive interference

Question 30

What is polarization?

Answer 30

oscillation of a wave in a preferred orientation