AL Physics/Wave Propagation/P.

PLK VICWOOD K.T. CHONG SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

Form Seven AL Physics: Wave Propagation

Wave propagation. Nature Questions will not be set on the equation E5. Investigation of the factors
of motions in longitudinal y = a sin (ωt - kx), but an understanding of affecting the speed of transverse
and transverse progressive the variation of displacement with time (x progressive waves along a
waves. Relation between v, constant) and with distance (t constant) in a slinky spring (NAP 4.5a/D 4a).
λ and f. progressive wave is expected.
Velocity of propagation of Factor affecting the speed of propagation.
mechanical waves along The expression v = T / m and E /ρ
stretched strings or springs
and in solids (proofs not required).

A. Transverse Waves and Longitudinal Waves

1. Transverse Wave
- is one in which the direction of the oscillations is perpendicular to the direction of
travel of the wave.
- e.g. Electromagnetic Wave (visible light), water wave, waves on plucked strings.

displacement
t=0
distance

t = T/4
distance

t = T/2
distance

t = 3T/4
distance

Progressive transverse wave

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2. Longitudinal Wave
- is one in which the direction of the oscillations is in the same direction as the direction
of travel of the wave.
- e.g. sound wave

Note:
R C R C R
a. the displacements of the particles
cause regions of high density to R
distance
(compressions C) and of low density to L
t=0
(Rarefractions R) to be formed along
R C R C
the wave.
b. These regions move along with the to R
distance
speed of the waves as shown by the
to L
broken diagonal line. t = T/4
velocity v
c. each particle vibrates about its mean C R C R C

position with the same amplitude and

to R
frequency. distance

d. the regions of greatest compression to L

t = T/2
pressure graph
are one quarter wavelength (90º C R C R
phase) ahead of the greatest
displacement in the direction of the to R
distance
wave. to L t = 3T/4

Progressive longitudinal wave

B. Progressive wave
1. Progressive wave
a. Both the transverse and longitudinal waves described in section A are progressive.
b. A progressive or traveling wave consists of a disturbance moving from a source to
surrounding places as a result of which energy is transferred from one point to another.
c. Characteristics of particles in a progressive wave:-
- the vibrations of the particles in progressive wave are of same amplitude and frequency;
- but the phase of the vibrations change for different point along the wave.

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Wave may be classified as mechanical or electromagnetic (E.M. wave):
Mechanical wave - produced by a disturbance (e.g. a vibrating body) in a material medium
and are transmitted by the particles of the medium oscillating to and fro. e.g. sound wave,
water wave, etc.
E.M. wave - consist of a disturbance in the form of varying electric and magnetic fields. No
medium is necessary. e.g. light, x-ray, etc.
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2. Progressive wave equation

- the equation represents the displacement y of a vibrating particle in a medium in which
a wave passes.
- function of time t and position of the particle x in the medium
y = f (x, t)
- consider the particle at x = 0, the particle oscillates about the equilibrium point
(i.e. y = 0) with angular frequency ω and amplitude A.
i.e. y = f(x = 0, t) = A sin (-ωt)
- at time t = 0, the wave profile is a sine function with wavelength λ.
2π
i.e. y = f(x, t = 0) = A sin( x)
λ
Let k = 2π/λ, (wave number)
- hence, the mathematical equation of the plane progressive wave can be written as
y = A sin (kx - ωt)

** The difference between the two equations y = A sin (kx - ωt) and
y = A sin (kx + ωt) is that they describe waves propagated in opposite direction.
for y = A sin (kx - ωt) to the right
for y = A sin (kx + ωt) to the left

- the velocity of waves

c = fλ
= (ω/2π)(2π/k)
= ω/k

C. Velocity of Waves
- A traveling wave is described by three important parameters:
frequency f (or ω)
wave velocity v
wavelength λ (or k = 2π/λ)
- For the frequency f, it is usually determined by the source of the waves, e.g. in ripple tank
experiments, if the vibrator oscillates at 3 Hz, then the waves generated will also have f = 3
Hz.
- The wave velocity v in general is dependent on the frequency and the medium in which the
wave propagates.
- However in many (but not all) situations the wave velocity v is independent of the
frequency and is completely determined by the medium.
- The combination of f and v in the equation λ = v/f then determines the wavelength λ.
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- Factors that affect the wave velocity in a medium:

a. Speed of E.M. wave (for all frequency) in vacuum is c = 3 × 108 m/s.
b. Speed of E.M. wave in a medium is c/n, where n is the refractive index.
c. The speed of transverse waves on a spring or taut string is
T
v=
µ
where T is the tension and µ is the mass per unit length of the string.
d. Compressional waves in a long thin rod
E
v=
ρ
where E is called the Young modulus of the material and ρ is the density.

** [The formulae of (c) and (d) have a common feature

measure of force
v∝ ]
measure of mass