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Waves

This document introduces key terms and concepts related to mechanical and electromagnetic waves. It defines wavelength, period, amplitude, frequency, and velocity. It describes the main differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Mechanical waves involve the transmission of energy through a medium and can be transverse, longitudinal, or torsional depending on the direction of the wave disturbance relative to the direction of energy transfer. The document also discusses wave characteristics such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and velocity. It provides equations relating these characteristics. Finally, it describes the concepts of superposition, reflection at boundaries, changes in phase and medium.

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150 views7 pages

Waves

This document introduces key terms and concepts related to mechanical and electromagnetic waves. It defines wavelength, period, amplitude, frequency, and velocity. It describes the main differences between mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Mechanical waves involve the transmission of energy through a medium and can be transverse, longitudinal, or torsional depending on the direction of the wave disturbance relative to the direction of energy transfer. The document also discusses wave characteristics such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and velocity. It provides equations relating these characteristics. Finally, it describes the concepts of superposition, reflection at boundaries, changes in phase and medium.

Uploaded by

api-19505025
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 1

Introduction
28/7/98
Terms:
Wavelength () Distance between two points which are in phase (m)
Period (T) Time taken for one wavelength to complete one cycle (s)
Amplitude (A) The maximum displacement of a particle from the equilibrium
position (m)
Frequency (f or n) Number of complete wavelengths in 1 second (Hz)
Wave number (k) Number of waves in 1 metre (m-1)

Velocity ( v ) Velocity though the medium (m.s-1)

 Waves enable the transfer of energy from one place to another.


 The two main types of waves are mechanical waves & electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic Waves:
 An electromagnetic wave is a series of magnetic and electric fields naturally at right
angles. Caused by particles moving.

Mechanical Waves:
 These waves involve the transmission of energy through some sort of medium.
 The medium is temporarily distorted as the wave propagates.
 One single distortion or disturbance in the medium is called a pulse.
 A series of pulses comprises a continuous wave.

Types of Mechanical Waves:


Transverse
 A number of transverse pulses results in a transverse wave.
 Propagation (motion) is perpendicular to disturbance.
 They do not transmit through the bulk of a liquid since the transverse distortion in a
liquid is independent of the next successive section of the medium. They can only
travel over the surface of liquids where surface tension and gravity act to restore
the medium and promote the movement of the transverse distortion to the next part
of the surface.

A Transverse Pulse Transverse Wave

Direction of Energy Transfer Direction of Energy Transfer

Transverse Distortion Vibration

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 2

Longitudinal
 A number of longitudinal pulses results in a longitudinal wave
 The distortion of the medium is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
 Sections close together are called compressions.
 Sections farthest apart are called rarefactions.
 Common compression wave such as ‘sound’ can travel through the bulk of water.
 Sound cannot travel through a vacuum (unlike electromagnetic radiation) so there
can be no sound heard in space.
Longitudinal Pulse Longitudinal (Compression) Wave

Direction of Energy Transfer

Compression Rarefaction
Distortion

Torsional
 A torsional pulses results from a rotational (or twisting) distortion, which is
propagated along a solid.
 A number of torsional pulses results in a torsional wave

Torsional Pulse

Energy Transfer

Rotational Distortion

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 3

Wave Characteristics
31/7/98

Amplitude

Wavelength

1
Equation: f=
T
f = Frequency (Hz)
T = Period (s)

1
Equation: k=

k = Wave number (m-1)
 = Wavelength (m)

Equation: v = .f

v = Velocity (m.s-1)
 = Wavelength (m)
f = Frequency (Hz)

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 4

Superposition
 The resultant wave can be determined by adding the amplitudes of the individual
waves at a number of key points.

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 5

B C E

A+B C

D+E

Wave Changes
5/8/98
Wave Reflecting at a Boundary:

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 6

Fixed to the Wall Free to Move


Motion Motion

s = String
   
FU =p ms .a s F = m s .a s
Newton 3rd Law
 
FD o=
w mnw .aw
w = Wall

However, mUp < mDown Since, free to move, no change in phase


 the string suffers a phase change of  rad
Motion

Motion


 FT
Equation: v=


v = Velocity of a pulse (m.s-1)

F T = Tension (N)
 = Mass per unit length (kg.m-1)

A Change of Medium:
 Part of the pulse will be deflected and part will be transmitted.

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GIKPKC7 94107 Waves I Page 7

Light to Heavy String Heavy to Light String


Motion Motion

Motion Motion Motion

Motion

Pulse travels slow in the heavy string Pulse travels more quickly in the light
string

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