Explore waves, oscillations, quantum mechanics, and other essential physics tools that span multiple disciplines.
π₯ Popular Calculations
Calculate the decay rate of oscillations in a system.
Open CalculatorCalculate the frequency of a repeating event from its period.
Open CalculatorSolve for parameters in the harmonic wave equation.
Open CalculatorCalculate the kinetic energy of a swinging pendulum.
Open CalculatorCalculate energy of a photon using Planck's constant.
Open CalculatorCalculate the period of a compound or physical pendulum.
Open CalculatorAnalyze displacement, velocity, and acceleration in SHM.
Open CalculatorCalculate wavelength from wave speed and frequency.
Open CalculatorGeneral physics serves as the toolkit for understanding the universe. Before one can calculate the orbit of a planet or the efficiency of an engine, one must speak the language of physics. This involves understanding units, dimensions, and the fundamental nature of waves and energy.
This category encompasses the essential "glue" that holds different physics disciplines together. Wave Mechanics describes everything from the sound of a violin to the light from a distant star. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) explains how atoms vibrate in a solid and how buildings sway in an earthquake. Quantum concepts like photon energy introduce the dual nature of light.
Mastering these general principles is crucial because they reappear everywhere. The same math that describes a pendulum also describes an L-C electrical circuit. The same wave equation governs ocean tides and fiber optic cables. The calculators below enable you to explore these universal patterns.
SHM is the motion of a restoring force proportional to displacement.
If you pull a spring 2x as far, it pulls back 2x as hard (Hooke's Law: F = -kx). This
results in a perfect sinusoidal oscillation. SHM is the "purest" form of vibration and
models pendulums, molecular bonds, and even quartz crystal timing chips in computers.
A wave is a disturbance that carries energy without carrying matter.
Transverse Waves: Particls move perpendicular to the wave (e.g., Light,
Guitar strings).
Longitudinal Waves: Particles move parallel to the wave (e.g., Sound,
P-waves in earthquakes).
In the real world, friction acts on oscillating systems, causing the amplitude to stick decrease over time. This is Damping. Conversely, if you push a swing at exactly the right time, the amplitude grows. This is Resonanceβthe principle behind musical instruments and the famous Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse.
Light behaves as both a wave and a particle. A particle of light is called a photon. Its energy isn't based on how "bright" the light is, but on its color (frequency). Blue light photons carry more energy than red light photons. This explains why UV light causes sunburns but visible light doesn't.
These universal relationships form the basis for much of modern science.
Variables: v=Speed, f=Frequency, Ξ»=Wavelength, T=Period, L=Length, g=Gravity, m=Mass, k=Spring Constant, h=Planck's Constant.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves (longitudinal) to see inside the body. MRI uses the resonance of hydrogen atoms in a magnetic field. Both rely entirely on wave physics.
The note of a guitar string depends on its length, tension, and mass (Standing Waves). When you fret a string, you shorten the wavelength (Ξ»), which increases frequency (f) because wave speed (v) is constant.
Wi-Fi, 5G, and Radio are all Electromagnetic waves. They differ only in frequency. Engineers must calculate wavelengths to design antennas that "resonate" with the signal to pick it up efficiently.
Surprisingly, no! For small swings, the period of a simple pendulum simple depends only on its length (L) and gravity (g). A heavy child and a light child will swing at the same rate on a playground swing. (This changes for a spring, where mass DOES matter).
A pulse is a single disturbance that moves through a medium. A wave is a periodic (continuous) series of pulses. A wave transfers energy continuously, while a pulse transfers a discrete packet of energy.
Light consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other. These fields "regenerate" each other, allowing light to travel through the vacuum of space, unlike sound which needs air molecules to push against.
It represents the "Goldilocks" zone of damping. If you slam a door with a closer: Underdamped = it slams then bounces; Overdamped = it takes 10 seconds to close; Critically Damped = it closes quickly but softly without bouncing.
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