Part 3 – Oscillations and mechanical waves
Useful weblinks
30_MPH_doppler.au (Audio/Basic Object)
This website gives an audio example of the Doppler effect. There are also many other
examples to browse that may be useful to students.
http://demoweb.physics.ucla.edu/content/10-effects-sound
Harmonics and Patterns
The website describes and provides animations of standing wave harmonics and patterns on
a string. The website has animation of the first three harmonics and diagrams of the first six
harmonics. With a description of nodes and antinodes.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/waves/u10l4d.cfm
Mathematics of Standing Waves
This website gives a mathematical description of standing waves on strings, with the
relationship between the length of the string and wavelength of the wave. The website also
contains problems for students to check their understanding of the concepts discussed.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/waves/u10l4e.cfm
dB: What is a Decibel?
This website provides a full explanation of decibels and the included mathematics, as well as
sound files to compare between decibel sounds.
http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/dB.htm
Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart
The website provides a comparison chart for volume levels in decibels. The site also includes
charts of recommended daily noise level exposures per day.
http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html
Longitudinal and Transverse Wave Motion
This website shows descriptively, as well as visually, the difference between longitudinal and
transverse mechanical waves. It shows how transverse waves propagate through a medium
in the direction of motion.
http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/demos/waves/wavemotion.html
Physclips: Beats
This website explains the concepts of beats and also goes through the relevant
mathematics. The website includes sound files to listen to beats between close frequency
sounds.
http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/beats.htm
Pendulum Simulation
This website provides a pendulum simulation with many adjustable parameters, including
mass and length of pendulum as well as variable gravitational acceleration.
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/pendulum-lab/pendulum-lab_en.html
Physclips: Oscillations
This website provides a collection of animations related to oscillations and simple harmonic
motion, linked with discussions. There are also direct links to various animations.
http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/oscillations.htm
Standing Waves
This YouTube clip discusses standing waves and their relationship to travelling waves. There
are various animations used, and many examples shown, particularly in relation to musical
instruments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz8IIk_bps0