IB Physics Unit 4 Oscillation and Waves Worked Examples

Example 1

How does a displacement time graph show that its oscillations are not damped?

Answer

The amplitude remains constant

Example 2

Calculate the magnitude of the maximum acceleration when the time period is 0.2s and the maximum displacement is 0.02m. 

Answer 

Use the equation a=-ω^2 * xo

ω=2π/t

a=(2π/0.2)^2 * 0.02=19.7m/s

Example 3

Calculate the speed of the oscillation when the time taken is 0.12s to displace by 1.62cm and maximum displacement is 0.02m. 

Answer

Use the equation v = (2π/t)√(xo^2-x^2) Answer 

 v = (2π/t)√(xo^2-x^2)

v = (2π/0.12)√((0.02)^2-(0.0162^2)

v=31.4√((0.02)^2-(0.0162^2)= 0.37m/s

Example 4

Following the question above, if the diplacement was in a negative direction would be the direction of its motion. 

Answer 

Even though it would seem logical that the motion would also be in the negative direction it is actually positive. This is because if it were displaced by -0.0162 m, -0.0162^2 is actually a positive number, therefore making the velocity positive. As velocity is a vector quantity, if it is positive it shows that the direction of motion is to the right. 

Example 5

What is the frequency of a logitudinal wave if the period is 0.2s?

Answer

Use the equation f=1/t

f=1/0.2 = 5m/s

Example 6

If…