IB PHYSICS Topic 4: Oscillations and Waves

Motion that repeats itself after equal intervals of time.

Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.

Time taken for a complete oscillation.

Number of oscillations per unit time. (f = 1/T)

Equivalent of frequency. (𝓌 = 2(π)f)

If the motion starts away from equilibrium, it leads or lags by θ.

Maintain a constant time period regardless of amplitude changes.

A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is proportional to the negative displacement from the equilibrium position.

a - kx where a is accelerated, k is a constant, and x is displacement.

v = (dx)/(dt) = 𝓌Acos(𝓌t + θ)

a = (dv)/(dt) = -𝓌^2(A)(sin(𝓌t+θ))

A surface perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Shortest distance between two points in phase on a wave.

Time for a complete wavelength to pass a fixed point.

Number of wavelengths passing through a fixed point per unit time.

Direction of vibration perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Direction of vibration parallel to the direction of propagation.

The velocity of a wave (c) is given by c = f⅄

Power received per unit area. I = (P)/(4πr^2) and is proportional to the square of amplitude (A^2).

When two waves meet, the total displacement is the vector sum of their individual displacements.

Restriction of oscillation direction to a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Result:Plane-polarized light.

Intensity (I) transmitted by an analyzer is proportional to cos^2(θ) where θ is the angle between the polarizer and the analyzer.

Incident, reflected, and refracted rays, and normal lie on the same plane. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. (sinθ1)/(sinθ2) = 1/n (Snell’s Law)

The angle of incidence for which the angle of refraction reaches the right angle is the critical angle. Total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.

Two coherent sources create interference patterns. Constructive interference occurs at nλ and is destructive at (n + ½)λ.

Wave passed through a narrow gap forms bright and dark fringes. Angular position of minima given by θ = (nλ/a).

More slits result in sharper and more intense maxima and minima.

Different wavelengths of light refract at different angles. White light disperses into its constituent wavelengths.

Rayleigh's criterion states two points are just resolved if the central maximum of the first point falls on the first minimum of the second point.

For a grating with N slits, R = λ/change in λ = mN

Reflected light undergoes a phase change of 180∘ if reflected off a denser medium. A thin film of thickness t, refractive index n, and incident wavelength λ exhibits interference.

The change in frequency of the light wave is (v/c)(f_0).

Follow laws similar to light. Exhibit reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction.

Wavefront consists of infinite new disturbance centers. Successive wavefronts result from wavelets from these disturbances.

When a wave hits a barrier, it behaves as if a similar wave is coming from the barrier in the opposite direction.

The frequency of a moving source changes for an observer at rest or moving toward/away from the source.

Formed when two waves of equal amplitude and frequency traveling in opposite directions are superimposed. Positions of crests and troughs do not change with time.