Long Q/A Simple Harmonic Motion and Waves

What is a ripple tank? Describe its construction and working. Use a ripple tank to study reflection, refraction, and diffraction of water waves.

A ripple tank is a shallow glass-bottomed tank filled with water used to study wave behavior. Construction: A transparent tray filled with water. A light source placed above to project wave patterns onto a screen below. A motorized vibrator to generate waves. Barriers and obstacles to study wave interactions. Working: When the vibrator moves, it … Read more

Show that frequency and time period of waves are inverse of each other.

Definition: Frequency (f): The number of wave cycles per second. Time Period (T): The time taken for one complete wave cycle. From the wave equation: f = 1/T T = 1(f) This means that frequency and time period are reciprocals of each other. If the frequency increases, the time period decreases, and vice versa. Example: … Read more

Derive the formula for the speed of waves () relating speed, frequency, and wavelength.

The formula for wave speed can be derived from the wave equation: v = fλ Where: – v is the wave speed (in meters per second) – f is the frequency (in hertz) – λ is the wavelength (in meters) The wave equation describes the relationship between the wavelength, frequency, and wave speed for any … Read more

Define longitudinal waves. Discuss its motion with the help of an example. Also define the following terms for longitudinal waves: Rarefaction, Compression, Wavelength.

Longitudinal Waves: A wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Example: Sound waves in the air, where air particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction as the wave. Key Terms for Longitudinal Waves: Compression: A region where particles are close together, representing high pressure. … Read more

Define transverse waves. Discuss its motion with the help of an example. Also define the following terms for transverse waves: Crest, Trough, Wavelength, Frequency, and Time Period.

Transverse Waves: A wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Example: Water waves in a pond, where the water particles move up and down while the wave moves forward. Key Terms for Transverse Waves: Crest: The highest point of a transverse wave. Trough: The lowest point … Read more

Define the term wave. Explain it with the help of an example. Differentiate between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter. Waves can travel through different mediums, or in some cases, even through empty space. Example: When a stone is dropped into a still pond, circular ripples spread outward. These ripples represent waves carrying energy across the surface of the … Read more

Explain the process of damping. Differentiate between damped and undamped oscillations.

Damping is the gradual decrease in the amplitude of an oscillating system due to resistive forces such as friction, air resistance, or internal material forces. Types of oscillations: Undamped oscillations: The amplitude remains constant because no external resistive force is present. Example: an ideal pendulum in a vacuum. Damped oscillations: The amplitude decreases over time … Read more

What is a simple pendulum? Show that a vibrating simple pendulum performs SHM. What is the formula for the time period of a simple pendulum? On what factors does it depend?

A simple pendulum consists of a small mass (bob) attached to a string of fixed length, suspended from a rigid support. When displaced slightly, it oscillates back and forth under the influence of gravity. Derivation of SHM for a simple pendulum: The restoring force acting on the bob is: F=-mg sinθ For small angles (θ=sinθ), … Read more

Explain that a steel ball dropped from the edge of a shining bowl performs SHM.

If a steel ball is placed at the lowest point of a smooth, curved bowl and slightly displaced, it moves back and forth. When the ball is displaced, gravity and the normal force of the bowl create a restoring force directed toward the equilibrium position. The acceleration of the ball is proportional to its displacement, … Read more

Explain the following terms for SHM: Vibration, amplitude, time period, frequency.

Vibration: A complete to-and-fro motion of an oscillating object around its equilibrium position. One full cycle of motion is called one vibration. Amplitude (A): The maximum displacement of an oscillating object from its mean position. It determines the energy of the oscillation. Time period (T): The time required to complete one full oscillation. It is … Read more