Calculus-based wave phenomena, interference, and optics concepts for a college physics sequence, distinct from the mechanics and E&M decks.
40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- Wave speed v in terms of frequency f and wavelength lambda
- v = f * lambda
- Period T of a wave
- Time for one complete oscillation
- Frequency f in terms of period T
- f = 1/T
- General sinusoidal wave equation y(x,t)
- y(x,t) = A sin(kx - omega*t + phi)
- Wave number k
- k = 2*pi/lambda
- Angular frequency omega in terms of frequency f
- omega = 2*pi*f
- Intensity I of a wave
- Average power per unit area; proportional to amplitude squared
- Superposition principle for waves
- Net displacement at a point is the vector sum of displacements from all individual waves
- Path difference for constructive interference
- Delta = m*lambda where m = 0, 1, 2, ...
- Path difference for destructive interference
- Delta = (m + 1/2)*lambda where m = 0, 1, 2, ...
- Path difference between two slits at angle theta in Young's experiment
- Delta = d*sin(theta) where d is slit separation
- Bright fringe positions in Young's double slit (small angle approximation)
- y = m*lambda*L/d where m = 0, 1, 2, ...; L is distance to screen
- Dark fringe positions in single slit diffraction
- a*sin(theta) = m*lambda where m = 1, 2, 3, ...; a is slit width
- Standing wave definition
- Wave pattern from two waves traveling in opposite directions with same frequency and amplitude
- Wavelengths for standing waves on a string fixed at both ends
- lambda_n = 2*L/n where n = 1, 2, 3, ... and L is string length