General Physics 1 Review: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and Simple Harmonic Oscillation

Gravitational Force

• The gravitational force of attraction between the earth and a 70.0 kg boy can be calculated using the formula for gravitational force.

Oscillations

• Periodic motion that repeats at a given amount of time is an example of oscillation.
• Damped oscillation causes the amplitude to gradually decrease to zero.
• When damping occurs in an oscillator, it returns to equilibrium with the amplitude gradually decreasing to zero, due to the presence of an external force.
• Forced oscillation is a type of oscillation where damped oscillators are further affected by an externally applied force.

Waves

• A wave is a disturbance in a medium that carries energy without particles being moved.
• Electromagnetic waves are capable of transmitting their energy through a vacuum.
• The defining characteristic of a longitudinal wave is that the particles vibrate back and forth along the direction of the wave.
• A light wave is an example of a transverse wave.
• The frequency of a wave is the number of cycles per second, and can be calculated by dividing the number of cycles by the time.
• The wavelength of a wave can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed / frequency.

Wave Properties

• Beat interference is related to the difference in frequency between two waves.
• Constructive superposition in waves results in an increase in amplitude.
• A sine wave cycle is defined by its amplitude, frequency, and wavelength.
• The period of a wave is the time taken to complete one cycle, and is related to the frequency.

Gravitational Force Formula

• The formula to calculate the gravitational force of attraction between two objects is: F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2.

Types of Waves

• Electromagnetic waves are capable of transmitting their energy through a vacuum.
• Damped oscillations refer to the gradual decrease in amplitude of an oscillation.
• The defining characteristic of a transverse wave is that the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
• Critical damping occurs when an oscillator returns as quickly as possible to its equilibrium position without oscillating back and forth about this position.
• The period of a wave is related to the time taken to complete one cycle.
• Mechanical waves require a medium for propagation.
• The frequency of a wave is the number of cycles per second, and is measured in Hertz.

Other

• One cycle of a sine wave, starting with a rise from zero energy to a maximum amplitude and then its return to zero, is called a cycle.
• A water wave is an example of a mechanical wave.
• The speed of a wave is related to the distance traveled by the wave per unit time.
• Damped oscillation causes the amplitude to gradually decrease to zero.

This review covers topics A and B of General Physics 1, including calculations related to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and the concept of oscillatory motion and waves.