Understanding Intensity and Amplitude of Physical Waves | School Physics UK

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter teodorakis
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Amplitude Intensity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between intensity and amplitude in physical waves, exploring concepts related to energy, power, and the mathematical representation of these properties. It includes theoretical considerations and interpretations of wave behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the squaring of energy in the context of physical waves is intended to prevent cancellation of positive and negative values.
  • Another participant discusses the relationship between voltage and current in a sinusoidal system, noting that the power can be expressed as a product of voltage and current, leading to a specific mathematical form.
  • A different participant states that the total energy of a physical system, modeled as a vibrating spring, is proportional to the square of its amplitude, linking kinetic and potential energy to this relationship.
  • One participant makes a comment that appears to reference a previous interaction, introducing a light-hearted tone but not contributing directly to the technical discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the mathematical representation of energy and its relationship to amplitude and intensity, with no consensus reached on the interpretations or implications of these relationships.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of wave behavior and the definitions of energy components are not explicitly stated, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and educators interested in wave properties, energy relationships in physical systems, and the mathematical modeling of these concepts may find this discussion relevant.

Physics news on Phys.org
If you have a sinusoid as voltage and R, so the phase between Voltage and current is zero.
Then also I is sinusoidal.
The power P = V x I = V sin t x I sin t = VI sin^2 t.
 
The energy of a physical system always accounts for the total energy, that is the sum of (total) kinetic energy and (total) potential energy. Kinetic energy is proportional to square of velocity. For a system that can be modeled as a vibrating spring (which is perhaps true for all sinusoidal dynamic system), the potential energy is proportional to square of displacement. That's the total energy must be proportional to square of its amplitude.
 
I guess you are the type of "yellow card" collector Adam. I'm not sure if there is a maximum limit of the number collected.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K