Theme C: Wave Behaviour - IB 11 Physics
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Theme C: Wave Behaviour

Theme C: Wave Behaviour

This chapter explores wave behaviour, starting with simple harmonic motion (SHM) as its foundation and progressing through wave models, phenomena, standing waves, and the Doppler effect. Understanding these principles is essential in physics, as they encompass a wide range of real-world applications, such as acoustics and optics. The chapter emphasizes how oscillatory motion leads to the behavior of waves and their interactions with various media.

26 sections

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Sections

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  1. C1
    Simple Harmonic Motion

    Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is the periodic motion characterized by...

  2. 1.1
    Characteristics Of Oscillatory Motion

    This section explores the key characteristics of oscillatory motion,...

  3. 1.2
    Mass–spring System

    The Mass-Spring System illustrates the principles of simple harmonic motion...

  4. 1.3
    Simple Pendulum (Small-Angle Approximation)

    The simple pendulum exhibits simple harmonic motion under small-angle...

  5. 1.4
    General Mathematical Form Of Shm

    This section discusses the mathematical representations of Simple Harmonic...

  6. 1.5
    Energy In Shm: General Considerations

    This section explores the energy transformations in simple harmonic motion...

  7. C2
  8. 2.1
    Nature Of Waves

    This section defines waves, explores their classifications, and discusses...

  9. 2.2
    Wave Parameters

    This section addresses the fundamental parameters of waves, including...

  10. 2.3
    Transverse Versus Longitudinal Waves

    This section explains the differences between transverse and longitudinal...

  11. 2.4
    Derivation Of The One-Dimensional Wave Equation

    This section describes the derivation of the one-dimensional wave equation...

  12. C3
    Wave Phenomena

    Wave phenomena encompass reflection, refraction, diffraction, and...

  13. 3.1

    Reflection describes how waves behave when they encounter a boundary,...

  14. 3.2

    Refraction is the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another,...

  15. 3.3

    Diffraction refers to the spreading and bending of waves when encountering...

  16. 3.4
    Interference

    Interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap,...

  17. 3.5
    Applications Of Wave Behaviour

    This section discusses practical applications of wave behavior, including...

  18. C4
    Standing Waves And Resonance

    This section focuses on the formation of standing waves through the...

  19. 4.1
    Formation Of Standing Waves

    Standing waves are formed when two identical waves traveling in opposite...

  20. 4.2
    Standing Waves On A String Fixed At Both Ends

    Standing waves form when two identical waves travel in opposite directions...

  21. 4.3
    Standing Waves In Air Columns

    Standing waves occur in air columns when two waves of equal and opposite...

  22. 4.4

    Resonance occurs when a system is driven at a frequency close to its natural...

  23. C5
    Doppler Effect (Hl Only)

    The Doppler Effect describes the change in observed frequency of a wave due...

  24. 5.1
    Phenomenon Of Frequency Change

    The Doppler effect describes how the observed frequency of a wave changes...

  25. 5.2
    Application In Astronomy

    This section explores the Doppler effect in astronomy, focusing on redshift...

  26. 5.3
    Application In Medical Imaging

    This section discusses the applications of the Doppler Effect in medical...

What we have learnt

  • Simple harmonic motion describes the oscillation of objects around an equilibrium point governed by a restoring force.
  • Waves can be classified as mechanical or electromagnetic, with key parameters including amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.
  • Wave phenomena such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference explain how waves interact with their environments.

Key Concepts

-- Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
A form of periodic motion where an object oscillates around an equilibrium position with a restoring force proportional to its displacement.
-- Wave Model
A framework for understanding waves as disturbances that transfer energy through mediums or electromagnetic fields.
-- Doppler Effect
The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave.

Additional Learning Materials

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