Physics Unit Notes Free Essays

Single disturbance is called a pulse A series of pulses is called a wave In the case of the impatient student, his disturbance was parallel to the direction of the wave itself. Also called a Longitudinal Wave WAVES Waves can transmit two things O Can transmit energy 0 Ex. Light waves from the sun heat the earth O Can transmit information 0 Ex. We will write a custom essay sample on Physics Unit Notes or any similar topic only for you Order Now Radio wave When the motion of the particles is perpendicular to the motion of the wave, it is called a traverse wave Pointing down Acceleration down Wave We see the motion of the medium Soundwaves air Lightwaves = electromagnetic waves Stadium waves people Water waves - water Light waves no medium Pointing up Acceleration up Without tension, there can be no traverse waves in a medium. - Do not occur inside liquids and gases can occur on surface of water though Inner core of earth has a liquid core, because traverse waves do not got through Earthquakes can produce traverse, longitudinal, or a combination of the two. ongitudinal = compression, travel fast, primary (happen first) traverse = aves†, secondary (happen second) - longer delay between S and P waves, means greater distance from the epicenter B) C) D) Crest Trough Amplitude Wavelenght Cycle one complete wavelength Amplitude half the distance from crest and trough Wavelength - distance of one complete cycle (Sl units = meters) Period (T) time for one wavelength to pass (Sl Units = seconds) Frequency (f) number of cycles that pass by per time interval = Cycles per secon d = 1 Hertz (Hz) and Ex. f=2 Hz = T=. 5 seconds Swing? Applied force at a regular interval, causes you to go higher, high amplitude All object will vibrate of oscillate at a certain frequency called the natural frequency A pendulum (or swing) will swing back and forth at a natural frequency that depends only on it’s lenght When a system is driven at it’s natural frequency (forces applied in rhythm with the natural frequency), Physics Unit 4 Page 1 The shorter the stick, the higher the Natural frequency. natural frequency), the oscillations will get bigger. This s termed resonance. If two things have the same natural frequency, And you hit one, the second will also begin to vibrate Energy Transfer How to cite Physics Unit Notes, Papers