1. What is meant by oscillations and periodic motion?
Answer: Oscillations refer to repetitive motions around a central point, while periodic motion repeats itself at regular intervals. These motions can be described by parameters such as time period, frequency, and displacement as a function of time.
2. Define time period and frequency in the context of oscillations.
Answer: The time period is the duration of one complete oscillation or cycle, while frequency is the number of oscillations per unit time. They are inversely related, with frequency (f) = 1 / time period (T).
3. Explain periodic functions and their relevance to oscillatory motion.
Answer: Periodic functions are functions that repeat themselves at regular intervals. In the context of oscillatory motion, quantities such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration can be described by periodic functions that repeat over each oscillation.
4. Describe simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.) and its equation.
Answer: Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.) is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position and acts in the opposite direction. The equation for S.H.M. is
where x is the displacement, A is the amplitude, ω is the angular frequency, t is time, and ϕ is the phase angle.
5. What is phase in oscillatory motion?
Answer: Phase in oscillatory motion refers to the position of an object in its cycle of motion at a given time. It is often measured in radians and determines the state of motion within one cycle.
6. Discuss the oscillations of a spring, including restoring force and force constant.
Answer: When a spring is stretched or compressed from its equilibrium position, it exerts a restoring force that is proportional to the displacement and acts opposite to the direction of displacement. The force constant (k) of the spring measures its stiffness or rigidity.
7. Explain the concept of energy in simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.).
Answer: In S.H.M., energy is exchanged between kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE). At maximum displacement, all energy is potential, while at the equilibrium position, all energy is kinetic. The total mechanical energy (KE + PE) remains constant throughout the motion.
8. Derive the expression for the time period of a simple pendulum.
Answer: The time period (T) of a simple pendulum depends on its length (l) and the acceleration due to gravity (g). It is given by the formula
9. Define wave motion and distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves.
Answer: Wave motion involves the transfer of energy through a medium without the transfer of matter. In longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, while in transverse waves, the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
10. What determines the speed of a traveling wave?
Answer: The speed of a traveling wave depends on the properties of the medium through which it travels, such as its density and elasticity. It is given by the equation
where v is the speed, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength.
11. Explain the displacement relation for a progressive wave.
Answer: The displacement relation for a progressive wave describes how the displacement of a particle in the medium varies with time and position as the wave passes through it. It is typically given by a sinusoidal function of time and position.
12. Discuss the principle of superposition of waves.
Answer: The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves meet at a point in a medium, the resultant displacement at that point is the vector sum of the displacements due to each individual wave. This principle explains phenomena such as interference and standing waves.
13. Describe the reflection of waves and its significance.
Answer: Reflection of waves occurs when a wave encounters a boundary or obstacle and is redirected back into the medium it came from. This phenomenon is essential for understanding the behavior of waves at boundaries and in various applications such as sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
14. Explain standing waves in strings and organ pipes, including fundamental mode and harmonics.
Answer: Standing waves are formed when two identical waves traveling in opposite directions interfere with each other. In strings and organ pipes, standing waves can occur at specific frequencies called harmonics. The fundamental mode is the lowest frequency standing wave, while higher harmonics have frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
15. What are beats in wave motion?
Answer: Beats are a phenomenon that occurs when two waves of slightly different frequencies interfere with each other. They produce a periodic variation in amplitude, resulting in a pulsating sound. The beat frequency is the difference between the frequencies of the two waves.
16. Explain the concept of resonance in the context of oscillatory systems.
Answer: Resonance occurs when an external force is applied to an oscillatory system at its natural frequency, leading to a large amplitude oscillation. This phenomenon can result in the amplification of vibrations and is crucial in various applications, such as musical instruments and structural engineering.
17. Discuss the relationship between the period and frequency of a wave.
Answer: The period (T) of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation, while the frequency (f) is the number of oscillations per unit time. They are inversely related by the equation
meaning that as the period increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.
18. Define interference in wave motion and describe constructive and destructive interference.
Answer: Interference occurs when two or more waves meet at a point in a medium. Constructive interference happens when waves combine to produce a resultant wave with greater amplitude, while destructive interference occurs when waves combine to produce a resultant wave with lesser or zero amplitude.
19. Explain the concept of phase difference between two waves.
Answer: Phase difference is a measure of how much one wave is shifted in time relative to another wave. It is often measured in degrees or radians and determines whether the waves are in phase (maximum constructive interference), out of phase (maximum destructive interference), or somewhere in between.
20. Describe the phenomenon of Doppler effect in wave motion.
Answer: The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source. It causes a shift in the perceived frequency or pitch of sound waves or the observed wavelength of light waves.