Theme C: Wave Behaviour

This section covers the fundamental concepts of wave behavior, including Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), wave properties, interference, diffraction, polarization, and resonance.

Simple Harmonic Motion (Shm)

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) describes periodic motion where a restoring force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

Definition And Characteristics

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a periodic motion characterized by a restoring force that is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

Energy In Shm

This section discusses the energy transformations in Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), particularly the oscillation between kinetic and potential energy while maintaining constant total energy.

Examples Of Shm

This section covers key examples of simple harmonic motion, focusing on mass-spring systems and simple pendulums, highlighting their characteristics and formulas for calculating periods.

Wave Model

The Wave Model section discusses key properties of waves, the superposition principle, and interference patterns.

Wave Properties

This section covers the different types of waves, key parameters such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and wave speed, as well as principles of wave superposition and interference.

Superposition Principle

The Superposition Principle states that when two or more waves overlap, the resulting displacement at any point is the sum of the individual displacements.

Interference Patterns

Interference patterns are created when waves overlap, leading to observable effects such as constructive and destructive interference.

Wave Phenomena (Hl Additional Content)

This section covers advanced wave phenomena, including diffraction, polarization, and the Doppler effect, highlighting their significance in various applications.

Diffraction

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings, influenced by wavelength and slit width.

Polarization

Polarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in transverse waves, differentiating between unpolarized and polarized light.

Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect describes how the frequency of a wave changes based on the relative motion between the source and observer.

Standing Waves And Resonance

Standing waves result from the superposition of two waves moving in opposite directions, while resonance occurs when a system vibrates at its natural frequency, leading to increased amplitude.

Standing Waves

Standing waves form when two waves of equal frequency and amplitude travel in opposite directions, resulting in specific points of zero amplitude (nodes) and maximum amplitude (antinodes).

Resonance

Resonance occurs when a system is driven at its natural frequency, enabling large amplitude oscillations.

Doppler Effect (Hl Additional Content)

The Doppler Effect describes the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave as perceived by an observer moving relative to the wave source.

Doppler Effect For Sound

The Doppler Effect for sound describes how the frequency of sound waves changes due to the relative motion between the source and the observer.

Doppler Effect For Light

The Doppler Effect for light describes the change in observed frequency and wavelength of light due to the motion of the observer or the light source.