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CHAPTER 6: WAVES
6.1
Wave Basics
Waves are generated by oscillating/vibrating systems An oscillation is the back-and-forth movement of an oscillating system through a fixed path
Plane waves
Circular waves
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Transverse waves are waves which oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation. E.g: Light waves
Longitudinal waves are waves which oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation. E.g: Sound waves
Period is the time taken for a particle to make one complete oscillation [s]
Period, T = time taken number of oscillatio ns
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6.1.4 Graphs
Displacement-time graph
Amplitude Amplitude
Displacement-distance graph
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A system that is forced to oscillate continuously with provided external energy is said to be undergoing forced oscillation Natural frequency is the frequency of a system that is left to oscillate freely without an external force An object that is forced to oscillate at its natural frequency is said to be vibrating at resonance. An object vibrating at resonance has the maximum amplitude because it is receiving maximum energy from the external system
Bartons Pendulum
When the control pendulum X is oscillated, its energy is transferred to the other pendulums through the string. The other pendulums are forced to oscillate at the same frequency as pendulum X. Because pendulum D has the same natural frequency as X (same length), pendulum D will oscillate at resonance and will have the maximum amplitude.
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6.2
Wave Reflection
6.2.2 Applications
Embankments to protect the ports, beaches, etc
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6.3
Wave Refraction
1 > 2 When traveling from deep to shallow, the waves refract towards normal When traveling from shallow to deep, the waves refract away from normal
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6.4
Wave Diffraction
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Round obstacle
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6.5
Wave Interference
Constructive interference
Destructive interference
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where = wavelength [m] a = distance between sources [m] x = distance between two successive antinodal/nodal lines [m] D = distance between a and x [m]
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6.6
Sound Waves
Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Sound waves are mechanical waves; therefore they need a medium to propagate. The medium undergoes compression and rarefaction to transfer the energy of the sound waves from one point to another.
Speed of sound is fastest in solids, followed by liquids, then gases. Speed of sound increases with temperature
The loudness of sound is dependent on the amplitude of the wave. The higher the amplitude, the louder the sound.
The pitch of sound is dependent on the frequency of the wave. The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch.
Different musical instruments can produce notes of the same loudness and pitch, and yet they are easily discernible from one another. This is because of the quality or timbre of the note produced by the individual musical instruments. Quality of sound depends on the shape of the sound waves generated by the musical instruments. Each note consists of a fundamental frequency that is mixed with weaker frequencies called overtones.
6.6.6 Noise
Sounds with frequencies which change randomly are known as noise Exposure to noise for an extended period of time can create psychological and physical problems
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Chapter 6: Waves
Echoes (Sound wave reflection) In an auditorium, concert hall or music studio, echoes must be taken into account to ensure good acoustics Hyperbolic shape of sound waves Ampitheatres are usually designed in a hyperbole to enable better sound travel Sonar Supersonic waves used to measure the ocean depths and to detect objects in the ocean The transmitter releases an ultrasonic pulse which echoes off the ocean bed or object and is detected by a hydrophone Ultrasonic waves in medicine Diagnostics to create a picture or an image of an internal organ. E.g. foetus in mothers womb Ultrasonic drill to cut a decaying part of the tooth Ultrasonic waves in industries Ultrasonic echoes to detect flaws in a metal structure. E.g. in railway tracks Ultrasonic drill to cut holes in glass and steel High frequency vibration to clean instruments and fragile items
6.7
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves are electrical and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other around a single axis
6.7.1 Characteristics
Electromagnetic waves have the following characteristics: Transverse wave Fulfills the wave equation v=f Travels at the same speed (speed through vacuum: c = 3 108 m s-1) Does not need a medium to propagate Can be polarized
Polaroid is a type of material which allows waves to penetrate through in one plane only
Polarization
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X-ray
The sun Mercury vapour lamps Extremely hot objects The sun Light bulbs Fire
Visible light
Absorbed by glass and the ozone layer Enables chemical reactions, skin burns, skin cancer Consists of seven colours with their own respective wavelengths and frequencies
Infrared ray
Microwave
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6.8
Wave Phenomena
Changing characteristics Unchanged: Speed Frequency Wavelength Change: Amplitude Water waves Sound waves Light waves
Phenomena Reflection
i r
Incident ray
normal
Reflected ray
Refraction
Carbon dioxide: Converges the sound waves (louder) Helium: Diverges the sound waves (softer) Results using single-slit slide:
Diffraction
Unchanged: Speed Frequency Wavelength Change: Amplitude Unchanged: Speed Frequency Wavelength Change: Amplitude
Ray box
Slide
Screen
Interference
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