MDCAT Waves, Oscillations & Optics 2026

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

• Spring — T = 2π√(m/k)
• Simple pendulum — T = 2π√(l/g)
• Angular frequency — ω = 2πf; v_max = Aω

Waves

• Wave equation — v = fλ
• Sound in air — v = √(γP/ρ)
• Doppler effect — f' = f(v ± v_o)/(v ∓ v_s)

Optics

• Lens equation — 1/f = 1/u + 1/v
• Snell's law — n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂
• Critical angle — sinθ_c = 1/n (denser → rarer medium)
• Magnification — m = v/u = h'/h

Pair with Physics formula sheet.