10/10/23, 8:03 AM P Hysics 1A03 - Final Exam Review
PHYSICS 1A03 - Exam Review
Lectures 9A/B (Waves)
1. Travelling (Mechanical) Waves
Travelling Wave: A disturbance/oscillation that travels through a medium,
transferring energy with it. The types of travelling waves are:
a. Transverse - As the wave moves through the medium, each individual
particle moves up and down
b. Longitudinal - As the wave moves through the medium, each individual
particle moves left and right (e.g. sound waves!)
Graphing Waves:
a. Snapshot Graph - A graph that shows the wave’s displacement at various
positions (y vs. x): essentially taking a “snapshot” of the wave at one point
in time
b. History Graph - A graph that shows a single particle’s vertical displacement
over time (y vs. t): showing the “history” of said particle over time
2. Wave Functions
Wave Function: A function that describes a wave’s position over a certain time
period, which is given by any function in the form y = f(x ± vt): essentially, a
function where x ± vt can be factored out.
3. Wave Properties (Speed, Energy, Direction)
Waves that travel within a medium have the following properties..
Speed (c): The speed of a wave is determined by the medium’s properties,
specifically, tension and mass - c = √(T/u). Note that for a rope with mass, tension
increases as you go up the rope
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, 10/10/23, 8:03 AM P Hysics 1A03 - Final Exam Review
Waves that travel within a medium have the following properties..
Speed (c): The speed of a wave is determined by the medium’s properties,
specifically, tension and mass - c = √(T/u). Note that for a rope with mass, tension
increases as you go up the rope
Energy: Waves carry energy with them (e.g. kinetic energy from the rope moving,
elastic potential energy if the rope is stretched). As amplitude, mass density, and
frequency increase, the power/energy transferred by the wave increases
Direction: The direction of a wave is determined by the wave function - if (x - vt)
can be factored out, it moves to the right (and vice-versa)
Lectures 10A/B (Superposition/Sound)
1. Waves at Boundaries
Waves at Physical Boundaries:
a. Fixed Boundary - Amplitude and direction are flipped (e.g. cos (x-t)
becomes -cos (x+t))
b. Loose Boundary - Direction is flipped (e.g. cos (x-t) becomes cos (x+t))
Waves at Medium Changes: When a wave changes medium (e.g. from a light
rope to heavy rope), it is transmitted and reflected. The reflected wave depends
on the type of change:
a. Light to Heavy - Reflected wave has amplitude/direction flipped (like fixed
boundary BUT amplitude gets smaller)
b. Heavy to Light - Reflected wave has direction flipped (like loose boundary
BUT amplitude gets smaller)
If the transition is from light to heavy, the amplitude of the transmitted wave
becomes smaller, speed becomes slower, and wavelength becomes shorter, but
frequency stays the same (and vice-versa)
2. Standing Waves
Superposition: The idea that two wave pulses can travel through each other
without being changed - when they interact (interfere), the amplitudes of each
point are added together! Wave interference can be:
a. Constructive - Displacement is larger than individual waves’
b. Destructive - Displacement is smaller than individual waves’ (completely
destructive interference is when displacement is 0!)
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PHYSICS 1A03 - Exam Review
Lectures 9A/B (Waves)
1. Travelling (Mechanical) Waves
Travelling Wave: A disturbance/oscillation that travels through a medium,
transferring energy with it. The types of travelling waves are:
a. Transverse - As the wave moves through the medium, each individual
particle moves up and down
b. Longitudinal - As the wave moves through the medium, each individual
particle moves left and right (e.g. sound waves!)
Graphing Waves:
a. Snapshot Graph - A graph that shows the wave’s displacement at various
positions (y vs. x): essentially taking a “snapshot” of the wave at one point
in time
b. History Graph - A graph that shows a single particle’s vertical displacement
over time (y vs. t): showing the “history” of said particle over time
2. Wave Functions
Wave Function: A function that describes a wave’s position over a certain time
period, which is given by any function in the form y = f(x ± vt): essentially, a
function where x ± vt can be factored out.
3. Wave Properties (Speed, Energy, Direction)
Waves that travel within a medium have the following properties..
Speed (c): The speed of a wave is determined by the medium’s properties,
specifically, tension and mass - c = √(T/u). Note that for a rope with mass, tension
increases as you go up the rope
about:blank 1/6
, 10/10/23, 8:03 AM P Hysics 1A03 - Final Exam Review
Waves that travel within a medium have the following properties..
Speed (c): The speed of a wave is determined by the medium’s properties,
specifically, tension and mass - c = √(T/u). Note that for a rope with mass, tension
increases as you go up the rope
Energy: Waves carry energy with them (e.g. kinetic energy from the rope moving,
elastic potential energy if the rope is stretched). As amplitude, mass density, and
frequency increase, the power/energy transferred by the wave increases
Direction: The direction of a wave is determined by the wave function - if (x - vt)
can be factored out, it moves to the right (and vice-versa)
Lectures 10A/B (Superposition/Sound)
1. Waves at Boundaries
Waves at Physical Boundaries:
a. Fixed Boundary - Amplitude and direction are flipped (e.g. cos (x-t)
becomes -cos (x+t))
b. Loose Boundary - Direction is flipped (e.g. cos (x-t) becomes cos (x+t))
Waves at Medium Changes: When a wave changes medium (e.g. from a light
rope to heavy rope), it is transmitted and reflected. The reflected wave depends
on the type of change:
a. Light to Heavy - Reflected wave has amplitude/direction flipped (like fixed
boundary BUT amplitude gets smaller)
b. Heavy to Light - Reflected wave has direction flipped (like loose boundary
BUT amplitude gets smaller)
If the transition is from light to heavy, the amplitude of the transmitted wave
becomes smaller, speed becomes slower, and wavelength becomes shorter, but
frequency stays the same (and vice-versa)
2. Standing Waves
Superposition: The idea that two wave pulses can travel through each other
without being changed - when they interact (interfere), the amplitudes of each
point are added together! Wave interference can be:
a. Constructive - Displacement is larger than individual waves’
b. Destructive - Displacement is smaller than individual waves’ (completely
destructive interference is when displacement is 0!)
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