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Chapter 16 | Oscillatory Motion and Waves 681
16 OSCILLATORY MOTION AND WAVES
Figure 16.1 There are at least four types of waves in this picture—only the water waves are evident. There are also sound waves, light waves, and waves on the guitar strings. (credit: John Norton)
Chapter Outline
16.1. Hooke’s Law: Stress and Strain Revisited
16.2. Period and Frequency in Oscillations
16.3. Simple Harmonic Motion: A Special Periodic Motion 16.4. The Simple Pendulum
16.5. Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
16.6. Uniform Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion 16.7. Damped Harmonic Motion
16.8. Forced Oscillations and Resonance
16.9. Waves
16.10. Superposition and Interference
16.11. Energy in Waves: Intensity
Connection for AP® Courses
In this chapter, students are introduced to oscillation, the regular variation in the position of a system about a central point accompanied by transfer of energy and momentum, and to waves. A child’s swing, a pendulum, a spring, and a vibrating string are all examples of oscillations. This chapter will address simple harmonic motion and periods of vibration, aspects of oscillation that produce waves, a common phenomenon in everyday life. Waves carry energy from one place to another.” This chapter will show how harmonic oscillations produce waves that transport energy across space and through time. The information and examples presented support Big Ideas 1, 2, and 3 of the AP® Physics Curriculum Framework.
The chapter opens by discussing the forces that govern oscillations and waves. It goes on to discuss important concepts such as simple harmonic motion, uniform harmonic motion, and damped harmonic motion. You will also learn about energy in simple harmonic motion and how it changes from kinetic to potential, and how the total sum, which would be the mechanical energy of the oscillator, remains constant or conserved at all times. The chapter also discusses characteristics of waves, such as their frequency, period of oscillation, and the forms in which they can exist, i.e., transverse or longitudinal. The chapter ends by discussing what happens when two or more waves overlap and how the amplitude of the resultant wave changes, leading to the phenomena of superposition and interference.