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Physics Chapter: - 15th

Waves

Physics
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Chapter: - 15th
Waves
I. Wave Motion: - Wave motion refers to the transfer of energy from one point to another
without the transfer of material, in the form of oscillations or disturbances that
propagate through a medium or in some cases even in a vacuum (like electromagnetic
waves).
Type of wave motion: - Depending on the relationship between the direction of
oscillation of individual particles and wave propagation, the waves are classified as:
transverse and longitudinal waves.

a) Transverse wave motion: - It is that wave motion in which the individual particles
of the medium execute simple
harmonic motion about their mean
positions in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of
propagation of the wave.
e.g., Waves in string, ripples on the
surface of water, etc. This form of
wave motion travels in the form of
crests and troughs.

b) Longitudinal Wave: - The waves in which the individual particles of the medium
execute simple harmonic motion about their mean positions along the direction of
propagation of the wave are called longitudinal waves.
e.g., Waves in spring, sound waves, etc.

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II. Some Important Terms Connected with Wave Motion: -

a) Amplitude: - The amplitude of a wave is the magnitude of maximum displacement of

the particles from their equilibrium position, as the wave passes through them.

b) Wavelength: - Wavelength of a wave is the length of one wave or refers to the

distance between two consecutive peaks (crests or troughs) of a wave.

The wavelength can be found by

dividing the speed of the wave by its
frequency:
𝒗
λ=
𝒇

Where:
λ is the wavelength.
v is the speed of the wave.
f is the frequency of the wave.

c) Angular Wave number: - Angular wave number of a wave is also called propagation
constant of the wave.
It is 2π times the number of waves that can be accommodated per unit length.
𝟐𝝅
K=
𝝀

SI units of K: - Radian/m or simply m-1.

d) Frequency: - Frequency of vibration of a particle is defined as the number of

vibrations completed by particle in one second. As one vibration is equivalent to one
wavelength.
Or
Frequency of a wave as the number of complete wavelengths traversed by the wave
in one second.

Angular frequency: - Angular frequency of the wave is 2π times the frequency of the
wave. It is represented by ω and is measured in rads-1.

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e) Time period: - We know that time period of vibration of a particle is defined as the
time taken by the particle to complete one vibration about its mean position. As one
vibration is equivalent to one wavelength, therefore,

Time period of a wave is equal to time taken by the wave to travel a distance
equal to one wavelength.
It is represented by T.

Relation between ν and T: -

𝟏
Time =
𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚

𝟏
T=
𝝂

III. Character sticks of Wave Motion: -

a) Wave motion is a sort of disturbance which travels through a medium.
b) A material medium is essential for the propagation of mechanical waves.
c) When a wave motion passes through a medium, particles of the medium only vibrate
simple harmonically about their mean position. They do not leave their position and
move with the disturbance.
d) There is a continuous phase difference amongst successive particles of the medium.
e) The velocity of the particles during their vibration is different at different positions.
For example: - All the particles cross their mean position with maximum velocity and
at extreme positions, their velocity is zero.
f) The velocity of wave motion through a particular medium is constant. It depends
only on the nature of the medium.
g) Energy is propagated along with the wave motion without any net transport of the
medium.

IV. Speed of a Transverse wave in a solid: -

𝝀
V = νλ =
𝑻

The above equation is general relation for all progressive waves, shows that the
wave pattern travels a distance equal to the wavelength of the wave.

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V. Displacement Relation for a progressive wave: -

Let us Consider the wave travelling in positive x-direction. The displacement y(x, t)
denotes the transverse displacement of the element at position x at time t and is given
by Displacement,
y(x, t) = a sin (kx - ωt + φ) ...(i)

If the wave travelling in the negative direction of X-axis can be represented by

y(x,t) = a sin (kx + ωt + φ) ...(ii)

Where,
y(x, t)= displacement of vibrating element or particle as a function of position x
and time t.
and the quantity (kx - ωt + φ) is called the phase of the wave.

VI. The principle of superposition of waves: -

When any number of waves meet simultaneously at a point in a medium, the net
displacement at a given point and given time is the algebraic sum of the displacements
due to each wave at the given point at the same time.

Displacement of two different waves is y1(x,t) and y2 (x,t) superimpose to each other.
i.e., the final wave is y(x,t) = y1(x,t) + y2(x,t).

Two types of Interference of wavs: -

(a) Constructive Interference.
(b) Destructive Interference

a) Constructive Interference: - when the two

waves overlap to each other in phase
means crust or trough of one wave fall on
the crust or trough of another wave.
Phase Difference, φ = 2nπ
Path difference, Δx = nλ
b) Destructive Interference: - when two
waves overlap to each other in out of
phase like crust or trough of one wave fall
on trough or crust of another wave.
Phase Difference, φ = (2n +1)π
Path difference, Δx = (2n + 1)λ/2
Where n = 0,1,2,3,…… and λ is wave length.
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VII. Reflection of Waves: Reflection of waves refers to the phenomenon where wavefronts
change direction upon striking a boundary that does not absorb the energy of the wave.
The angle of incidence, which is the angle at which the wave strikes the boundary, is
equal to the angle of reflection.

Reflection of Waves from Different Surfaces:

1. Plane Surface:
• Waves reflecting off a flat or plane surface
will do so in a uniform manner.
• For example, light reflecting off a flat mirror
will produce a clear and undistorted
reflection.
∠I = ∠r

2. Concave Spherical Surface:

• A concave surface curve inward.
• Waves reflecting off a concave surface
converge at a focal point.
• For instance, light reflecting off a concave
mirror will converge at a point called the
focal point.

3. Closed-end:
• Pertains mostly to tubes or pipes and is
commonly associated with sound waves.
• When a wave reflects off a closed end, there is
usually a phase reversal. For example, in a
closed-end pipe, a compression wave will reflect as a rarefaction and vice versa.

4. Open-end:
• Like the closed end, this also pertains mainly
to tubes or pipes.
• Waves reflecting off an open end will do so
without a phase change. In the context of
sound waves in an open pipe, a compression
wave will reflect as a compression.

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Applications:
1. Plane Surface:
• Mirrors: Used in various daily activities, and also in devices like periscopes.
• Solar panels: Some designs use flat surfaces to reflect sunlight onto a specific
area.
2. Concave Spherical Surface:
• Telescopes: Concave mirrors can focus light from distant stars and galaxies onto a
specific point, aiding in observation.
• Headlights: Car headlights use concave mirrors to focus light into a beam.
3. Closed-end:
• Musical Instruments: Instruments like clarinets function based on the reflection
of sound waves in a tube with one closed end.
• Noise Control: Understanding wave reflection can help in designing spaces or
devices that minimize noise.
4. Open-end:
• Organ Pipes: Many organ pipes are open at both ends, and the sound they
produce is based on the reflection and interference of sound waves in the pipe.
• Wind Instruments: Flutes and some other wind instruments rely on open-ended
tubes to produce sound.

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