IB Physics SL: Oscillations and Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion

1. Provide examples of oscillations.

1. boiling water

2. walking

3. static object

Oscillations refer to the repetitive back and forth movement around a central point. Boiling water, walking, and static objects do not demonstrate oscillatory motion as described in the correct examples.

Explanation

Oscillations refer to the repetitive back and forth movement around a central point. Boiling water, walking, and static objects do not demonstrate oscillatory motion as described in the correct examples.

2. State what is meant by damping.

A. Damping: a force that increases the energy of a system through motion.

B. Damping: a force that acts to stabilize the oscillations in a system.

C. Damping: a force that has no impact on the energy or amplitude of a system.

Damping refers to a dissipative force that reduces the energy and amplitude of a system, in contrast to the incorrect options provided.

Explanation

Damping refers to a dissipative force that reduces the energy and amplitude of a system, in contrast to the incorrect options provided.

3. State the meaning of natural frequency and forced oscillations.

The correct answer explains the concepts of natural frequency and forced oscillations accurately, while the incorrect answers provide misleading or incorrect definitions that do not align with the actual meanings.

Explanation

The correct answer explains the concepts of natural frequency and forced oscillations accurately, while the incorrect answers provide misleading or incorrect definitions that do not align with the actual meanings.

4. What is meant by resonance?

Resonance is the process of converting sound waves into electrical signals.

Resonance is the ability of an object to float on water.

Resonance is defined as the absorption of light by an object.

Resonance specifically involves the transfer of energy due to oscillating forces matching the natural frequency of a system, leading to significant vibration amplitudes.

Explanation

Resonance specifically involves the transfer of energy due to oscillating forces matching the natural frequency of a system, leading to significant vibration amplitudes.

5. DESCRIBE EXAMPLES OF RESONANCE WHERE THE EFFECT IS USEFUL AND WHERE IT SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

Resonance in earthquake-proof buildings.

Resonance in musical instruments like guitars.

Resonance in car engines.

The incorrect answers do not accurately represent examples of useful or harmful resonance as outlined in the correct answer.

Explanation

The incorrect answers do not accurately represent examples of useful or harmful resonance as outlined in the correct answer.

6. DESCRIBE AND GIVE EXAMPLES OF TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL WAVES.

Both transverse and longitudinal waves travel at the same speed and have similar characteristics.

Transverse and longitudinal waves exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of the direction of oscillation of particles and the examples associated with each type. It is important to understand this difference to accurately identify and describe these two types of waves.

Explanation

Transverse and longitudinal waves exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of the direction of oscillation of particles and the examples associated with each type. It is important to understand this difference to accurately identify and describe these two types of waves.

7. DEFINE THE TERMS DISPLACEMENT, AMPLITUDE, FREQUENCY, PERIOD, WAVELENGTH, WAVE SPEED AND INTENSITY.

The correct answers provided define specific terms related to waves and oscillation, while the incorrect answers are unrelated terms in physics.

Explanation

The correct answers provided define specific terms related to waves and oscillation, while the incorrect answers are unrelated terms in physics.

8. DRAW AND EXPLAIN DISPLACEMENT - TIME AND DISPLACEMENT - DISTANCE GRAPHS FOR TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL WAVES .

Draw and explain speed-time and speed-distance graphs for transverse and longitudinal waves

Discuss the reflection and refraction of transverse and longitudinal waves in different mediums

Describe the relationship between wavelength and frequency in transverse and longitudinal waves

See picture

9. State and apply Snell's Law.

Snell's Law is a principle in optics that describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when a wave passes through a boundary between two different media. It is based on the change in speed of the wave as it moves from one medium to another, causing it to bend. The correct answer states the accurate description of Snell's Law, which highlights the constant ratio of the sines of the angles involved.

Explanation

Snell's Law is a principle in optics that describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when a wave passes through a boundary between two different media. It is based on the change in speed of the wave as it moves from one medium to another, causing it to bend. The correct answer states the accurate description of Snell's Law, which highlights the constant ratio of the sines of the angles involved.

10. Explain and discuss qualitatively the diffraction of waves by apertures and obstacles.

Diffraction only occurs when the wavelength is much smaller than the obstacle.

Diffraction happens only when the wavelength is larger than the obstacle size.

11. State the principle of superposition and explain what is meant by constructive and destructive interference.

Superposition is when waves pass through different mediums.

Constructive interference is the interference in which the waves do not combine to form a resultant.

Interference is the non-superposition of coherent sources resulting in no interference pattern.

Superposition is the fundamental principle in wave theory. Constructive and destructive interference refer to how waves combine when they meet. Constructive interference leads to reinforcement of the waves, while destructive interference causes cancellation.

Explanation

Superposition is the fundamental principle in wave theory. Constructive and destructive interference refer to how waves combine when they meet. Constructive interference leads to reinforcement of the waves, while destructive interference causes cancellation.

12. State and apply the conditions for constructive and destructive interference in terms of path difference and phase difference.

Phase difference plays a minor role in interference.

Constructive interference occurs when path difference is a multiple of the wavelength.

Path difference determines interference type.

See picture

13. DESCRIBE THE INTERCHANGE BETWEEN KINETIC ENERGY AND POTENTIAL ENERGY DURING SHM.

The interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy remains constant during SHM.

Kinetic energy is always zero during SHM.

Potential energy is highest at the top of the swing during SHM.

During Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), the interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy is not constant, kinetic energy is not always zero, and potential energy can be highest at the top of the swing.

Explanation

During Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), the interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy is not constant, kinetic energy is not always zero, and potential energy can be highest at the top of the swing.

14. What are examples of damped oscillations?

Heat damping: where temperature fluctuations dampen the oscillations

Sound damping: where sound waves dampen the oscillations

Scent damping: where odor molecules affect the oscillations

The correct answer provides examples of damped oscillations with varying levels of damping. Light damping, critical damping, and heavy damping each have distinct characteristics in how they affect the oscillations of a system. Heat, scent, and sound are not typically associated with damped oscillations.

Explanation

The correct answer provides examples of damped oscillations with varying levels of damping. Light damping, critical damping, and heavy damping each have distinct characteristics in how they affect the oscillations of a system. Heat, scent, and sound are not typically associated with damped oscillations.

15. Describe graphically the variation of the amplitude of a vibrating object when the forced frequency is close to its natural frequency of the object.

A scatter plot showing an increase in amplitude

See picture

A bar graph depicting a decrease in amplitude

A line graph showing a constant amplitude

The correct answer requires a visual representation to accurately describe the variation of amplitude, making the other options incorrect.

Explanation

The correct answer requires a visual representation to accurately describe the variation of amplitude, making the other options incorrect.

16. DESCRIBE A WAVE PULSE AND A CONTINUOUS PROGRESSIVE (TRAVELING) WAVE.

A wave pulse consists of multiple oscillations occurring simultaneously, while a continuous progressive wave has a single oscillation.

A wave pulse and a continuous progressive wave have distinct characteristics, including the number of oscillations, motion pattern, and energy transfer. It is important to differentiate between the two types of waves to understand their behavior and properties correctly.

Explanation

A wave pulse and a continuous progressive wave have distinct characteristics, including the number of oscillations, motion pattern, and energy transfer. It is important to differentiate between the two types of waves to understand their behavior and properties correctly.

17. How do progressive (traveling) waves transfer energy?

Progressive (traveling) waves transfer energy.

Progressive (traveling) waves transfer matter.

Progressive (traveling) waves do not transfer energy.

Progressive (traveling) waves transfer sound.

Progressive (traveling) waves are a type of mechanical wave that moves through a medium and transfers energy without displacing matter from one point to another. It is not physical matter that is transferred like in the case of matter waves, and they are separate from sound waves which are a different type of wave that carries sound energy.

Explanation

Progressive (traveling) waves are a type of mechanical wave that moves through a medium and transfers energy without displacing matter from one point to another. It is not physical matter that is transferred like in the case of matter waves, and they are separate from sound waves which are a different type of wave that carries sound energy.

18. DESCRIBE WAVES IN TWO DIMENSIONS INCLUDING CONCEPTS OF WAVEFRONTS AND RAYS.

Wavefronts and rays are not related to each other in the study of waves.

A wavefront is a point where the wave reaches its maximum amplitude. A ray is a line connecting two wavefronts.

A wavefront is the highest point of a wave. A ray is the lowest point of a wave.

In two-dimensional wave analysis, wavefronts are not points but lines connecting points with the same phase, while rays denote the direction of wave motion perpendicular to the wavefronts.

Explanation

In two-dimensional wave analysis, wavefronts are not points but lines connecting points with the same phase, while rays denote the direction of wave motion perpendicular to the wavefronts.

19. DESCRIBE THE TERMS CREST, THROUGH, COMPRESSION AND RAREFACTION.

The correct descriptions of crest, through, compression, and rarefaction in relation to waves.

Explanation

The correct descriptions of crest, through, compression, and rarefaction in relation to waves.

20. State the fact that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in free space and know the orders of magnitude of the wavelengths of the principal radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wavelengths of electromagnetic waves vary depending on the type of radiation.

Electromagnetic waves travel at different speeds in free space.

The speed of electromagnetic waves in free space depends on the frequency.

See picture

In the electromagnetic spectrum, all waves travel at the speed of light in free space, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. The wavelengths of the principal radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum vary widely, ranging from meters to nanometers.

Explanation

In the electromagnetic spectrum, all waves travel at the speed of light in free space, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. The wavelengths of the principal radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum vary widely, ranging from meters to nanometers.

21. DESCRIBE THE REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION OF WAVES AT A BOUNDARY BETWEEN TWO MEDIA.

Refraction: the speed of the wave remains constant when it crosses a boundary between two different media at an angle.

The correct answer explains the correct principles of reflection and transmission at a boundary between two media. The incorrect answers provide misconceptions or inaccuracies regarding these principles.

Explanation

The correct answer explains the correct principles of reflection and transmission at a boundary between two media. The incorrect answers provide misconceptions or inaccuracies regarding these principles.

22. What is an example of diffraction?

D diffraction is the spreading of waves due to passing through an obstacle.

A diffraction is the bending of light as it travels from one medium to another.

C diffraction is the process of focusing light rays to form an image.

B diffraction is the reflection of light rays off a smooth surface.

Diffraction specifically refers to the spreading of waves when they encounter an opening or obstacle, not the bending of light at interfaces, reflection off surfaces, or the focusing of light rays to form an image.

Explanation

Diffraction specifically refers to the spreading of waves when they encounter an opening or obstacle, not the bending of light at interfaces, reflection off surfaces, or the focusing of light rays to form an image.