(a) Explain what oscillations are and, separately, what a wave is
(b) Explain the distinction between longitudinal and transverse waves.
(c) You are given the following expression for the position of an oscillating body:
z(t) = A(1) cos wt
where is the time variable.
i. If A(t) = A and are constant in time, what kind of oscillatory
motion is described by z(t)? What would
represent in such
a case? Give its explicit expression as a function of the elastic
constant & and the mass of the oscillator.
ii. If A(t) = Act, with > 0, 4 and constant in time, what
kind of oscillatory motion is described by z(t)? What would w
represent in such a case? Give its explicit expression with re-
spect to μ, k and m.
(d) A travelling harmonic wave may be described by the equation:
where the position, the time and all quantities, including the con-
stants , and y, are in SI units. For this wave, write down each of
the following physical quantities - in terms of one or more of a, 3 and
Y- and briefly explain its meaning:
i. The amplitude.
ii. The wavelength. Specify its Sl units.
iii. The frequency. Specify its SI units.
iv. The speed. Specify its Sl units.