14. WAVES
This chapter discusses the properties and behavior of waves, including their types, propagation, and mathematical descriptions. Emphasis is placed on mechanical waves, both transverse and longitudinal, as well as the principles of superposition and reflection. The chapter concludes with applications of wave phenomena, such as standing waves, beats, and sound propagation in different media.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Mechanical waves can exist in material media and are governed by Newton’s Laws.
- Transverse waves involve oscillation of particles perpendicular to wave propagation, while longitudinal waves involve oscillation along the direction of propagation.
- The principle of superposition allows waves to interfere, resulting in phenomena like beats and standing waves.
Key Concepts
- -- Mechanical Waves
- Waves that require a material medium for propagation.
- -- Transverse Waves
- Waves where the oscillation of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.
- -- Longitudinal Waves
- Waves where the oscillation of the medium is parallel to the direction of wave motion.
- -- Superposition Principle
- The principle that states the net displacement of a medium is the algebraic sum of all individual waves at any point.
- -- Standing Waves
- Waves that remain in fixed position, characterized by nodes and antinodes due to the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.
- -- Wavelength
- The distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase.
- -- Frequency
- The number of oscillations per second, measured in hertz (Hz).
- -- Beat Frequency
- The frequency at which a sound wave's amplitude appears to change due to the interference of two waves of slightly different frequencies.
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