Physics Department @ Brock University

Brock Physics

PHYS 1P23/93

Solids+Fluids

Heat+Thermodynamics

Waves+Sound

Light+Optics

Formula Sheet

Calendar entry

Help

Home > Courses > 1P23 > WavesSound

Solids and Fluids
Heat and Thermodynamics
Waves and Sound
- Simple harmonic oscillator (SHO)
  - ideal spring, Hooke's Law
  - Ex: stretching a spring
  - equations of motion: displacement, velocity, acceleration;
  - analogy with circular motion
  - Ex: a speaker diaphragm
  - Ex: spring constant and frequency of oscillations
  - kinetic, potential energy; conservation of energy
- Waves in elastic media
  - transverse and longitudinal waves
  - energy and momentum transfer (dominoes analogy)
  - period, wavelength, velocity
  - sound wave, pressure peaks and valleys
  - the principle of linear superposition
  - adding waves, a standing wave
  - Ex: flame pipe
  - Ex: transverse waves on a string
  - speed of the wave depends on the medium: solids, liquids, gases
  - Ex: v_l vs. v_t, scorpion and beetle problem
- Sound waves
  - waves transport energy: intensity of sound
  - Ex: an acoustic standing wave levitates objects
  - decibel scale for intensities
  - Ex: an amplified guitar
  - Ex: how many flutes to drown out a rock band?
  - Doppler effect for a moving source
  - Ex: trumpet of a marching band
  - Doppler effect for a moving observer
  - Ex: riding away from a siren

Light and Optics