CLASS 9 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Oscillations and Waves – Basic Principles
How it works
Oscillations are periodic movements of a system about an equilibrium position. A wave is the propagation of an oscillation in space, whereby energy, but not matter, is permanently transferred. Important terms are amplitude (maximum displacement), frequency (oscillations per second, unit hertz), wavelength (distance between two identical points of a wave) and propagation speed. Mechanical waves require a medium, electromagnetic waves do not. Reflection, refraction and interference are typical wave properties.
Note
An oscillation is a periodic movement about an equilibrium position; a wave is the spatial propagation of an oscillation, whereby energy is transferred. Frequency indicates the number of oscillations per second, amplitude the maximum displacement. The wavelength is the distance between two successive points of the same phase.
An oscillation is a periodic movement about an equilibrium position; a wave is the spatial propagation of an oscillation, whereby energy is transferred. Frequency indicates the number of oscillations per second, amplitude the maximum displacement. The wavelength is the distance between two successive points of the same phase.
An example
What is meant by the frequency of an oscillation?
The frequency indicates how many complete oscillations an oscillating object performs in one second. It is measured in hertz (Hz).
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.