AP®︎ Physics 2 Unit 14: Notes & Study Guide
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 14 of AP Physics 2 – Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics.
Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
How waves propagate, interfere, and diffract, including sound waves and light modeled as a wave.
Begin with Topic 14.1: Properties of Wave Pulses...To review Unit 14, go through each of the 9 topics below.
Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 14 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics 2 curriculum.
Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves
Properties of Wave Pulses and Waves
- What a Wave Is
- Mechanical vs Electromagnetic Waves
- Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves
Periodic Waves
Periodic Waves
- What a Periodic Wave Is
- The Full Set of Wave Quantities and How They Relate
- Sinusoidal Wave Equations
Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization
Boundary Behavior of Waves and Polarization
- What Happens When a Wave Hits a Boundary
- Reflection and Transmission at a Boundary
- Polarization of Waves
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic Waves
- What Electromagnetic Waves Are
- How Electromagnetic Waves Propagate and Their Key Relationship
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The Doppler Effect
The Doppler Effect
- What the Doppler Effect Is
- How Relative Motion Changes Frequency
- What Controls the Size of the Doppler Shift
Wave Interference and Standing Waves
Wave Interference and Standing Waves
- How Wave Interference Works
- Types of Interference
- Beats and Beat Frequency
Diffraction
Diffraction
- What Diffraction Is
- Single-Slit Diffraction Setup and Geometry
- Conditions for Dark and Bright Fringes
Double-Slit Interference and Diffraction Gratings
Double-Slit Interference and Diffraction Gratings
- What a Double-Slit Interference Pattern Is
- Conditions for Bright and Dark Fringes
- Interference Pattern vs Diffraction Envelope
Thin-Film Interference
Thin-Film Interference
- What Thin-Film Interference Is
- Phase Changes at Boundaries
- Conditions for Constructive and Destructive Interference
Notes
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