Oscillations and Waves (Physics)

Any motion that repeats itself over the same pathway.

Periodic motion that occurs because of a restoring force (always trying to get back to the equilibrium point). Ex: swinging mass/pendulum or mass on a spring.

back and forth motion

cycles/time (Hz)

1/f (inverse of frequency)

a single disturbance

a vibration (series of pulses) that move out through space

a pictorial representation of waves

top of wave (highest point)

lowest point of wave

resting position/middle position

maximum displacement from equilibrium. measures strength and energy of a wave.

distance from any 2 identical successive parts of a wave. Ex: crest to crest, trough to trough, etc.

what a wave passes through. Ex: air, water, slinky, etc.

needs a medium to travel. Ex: sound waves

doesn’t need a medium to travel. Ex: light waves

vibration is perpendicular to wave motion

vibration is parallel to wave motion

area of high pressure

area of low pressure

combination of transverse and longitudinal waves

When waves occupy the same space at the same time = resultant wave = sum of amplitudes

when wave amplitudes combine

same part of the waves arrive at the same time

different parts of the wave arrive at the same time

when two waves undergo superposition in phase = bigger amplitude

when two waves undergo superposition out of phase = smaller amplitude

when two identical waves move in opposite directions and interfere

parts of a wave that don’t move (no displacement) - destructive interference

parts that move (maximum displacement) - alternating constructive and destructive interference. there is always one more node than antinode.

when something loses energy during simple harmonic motion (friction/air resistance)

a little bit of friction. (takes a long time to return to equilibrium + oscillates a lot).

takes a long time to return to equilibrium (no oscillations).

settles to equilibrium quickly without a lot of oscillations.

when natural frequency = forced vibration you get resonance and an increased amplitude.