1

SHM & Waves by Gulshan Jha Sir

SHM & Waves parabola. While total energy
1. Different Equations in SHM versus x graph is a straight line as
it remains constant.

x = A cos t, x = – A cos t

3. If x = Asin t. Then, v = Acos t
(i) F = –kx and a = – 2 A sin t. 6. Spring Block System
F k Corresponding x − t, v − t and a − t (i)  = k , T = 2 = 2 m , f
(ii) a = = –   x = –2 x =
1 1 k
=
m m graphs are shown. m  k T 2 m

k
(iii)  = = angular frequency
m
(ii)
of SHM
d2x
(iv)
2
= –2 x
dt
(v) F  – x or a  – x is the
sufficient and necessary condition
for a periodic motion to be simple
harmonic.

(vi) If x = Asin t then (iv) Series combination

dx
v= = A cos t and
dt
dv
a= = –2 A sin t k1k2 1 1 1
dt ke = or = +
From these three equations we can k1 + k2 ke k1 k2
see that x-t, v-t and a-t all three (v) In case of two body oscillation,
functions oscillate simple µ
harmonically with same angular 4. T = 2 where,
k
frequency , Here x oscillates
µ = Reduced mass of two blocks
between +A and –A, v between
+A and –A and a between mm
= 1 2
m1 + m2
+2 A and – 2 A.

2.
(vi) A plank of mass m and area of
cross section A is floating in a liquid
of density . When depressed, it
starts oscillating like a spring-block
5. Potential energy versus x or system.
x = A sin t , x = – A sin t kinetic energy versus x graph is
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( –a) is downwards or parallel to g. Where Anet is the vector sum of

A1 & A2 with angle between them is
Hence, g e = g + a
the phase difference between two
l S.H.M.
or T = 2 Waves.
g +a 1. In any type of wave, oscillations of a
(v) If a constant force F (in addition physical quantity y are produced at
to weight and tension) acts on the one place and these oscillations
Effective value of k in this case is bob then, (along with energy and momentum)
m l F are transferred to other places also.
k = Ag  T = 2 T = 2 Here, g e = g + 2. Classification of Waves
Ag g m
A wave may be classified in
(vii) If mass of spring ms is also 8. Physical pendulum following three ways First a
m transverse wave is one in which
m+ s oscillations of y are perpendicular to
given, then T = 2 3
k wave velocity. Electromagnetic
waves are transverse in nature.
(viii) Every wire is also like a spring
Sound wave are longitudinal in
YA
of force constant given by k = . nature.
l Second Mechanical waves require
From here itself we conclude that medium for their propagation. Sound
force constant of a spring is inversely l
T = 2 waves are mechanical in nature. Non
proportional to its length. If length of mgl mechanical waves do not require
spring is halved its force constant 9. Combination of two S.H.M. medium for their propagation.
will become two times. Third Transverse string wave is one
7. Pendulum dimensional. Transverse waves on
(i) Only small oscillations of a the surface of water are two
pendulum are simple harmonic in dimensional. Sound wave due to a
nature: point source is three dimensional.
l 3. Wave Equation
T = 2 . In any wave equation y = f ( x, t )
g
(ii) Second’s pendulum is one whose Only those functions of x and t
time period is 2s and length is 1 m. represent a wave equation which
(iii) Time period of a pendulum of Suppose the two individual motions 2 y 2 y
length of the order of radius of earth are represented by, x1 = A1 sin t and satisfy = ( constan )
x2 t 2
1 x2 = A2 sin ( t +  )
is T = 2 1
Here constant = 2 where v is the
1 1  Both the simple harmonic motions
g +  have same angular frequency , v
l R wave speed.
Then the resultant motion is given by
From here we can see that x = x1 + x2 = A1 sin t + A2 sin ( t +  ) All functions of x and t of type,
R y = f ( ax  bt ) then
T = 2 or 84.6 min if l → . = A sin ( t +  )
g (i) Wave speed
Hence time period of a pendulum of Here, A = A12 + A22 + 2 A1 A2 cos  coefficient of t b
v= =
R A2 sin  coefficient of x a
infinite length is 2 and  =
g A1 + A2 cos  (ii) Wave travels along positive x-
direction. If ax and bt have opposite
or 84.6 min, Further, Important point to remember
signs and it travels along negative x-
l 1 1 before solving the questions.
direction if they have same signs.
T = 2 if l  R or  . 1. Convert all the trigonometric ratios
g l R 4. Plane Progressive Harmonic
into sine from and ensure that t
(iv) If point of suspension has an Wave: General equation of this
term is with +ve sign.
wave is, y = A sin ( t  kx   )
l 2. Make the sign between two term
acceleration a, then T = 2 +ve. or y = A cos ( t  kx   )
ge
3. A1 is the amplitude of that S.H.M
( )
In these equations,
Here g e = g – a = g + –a whose phase is small.
2 1 
4. Then resultant x = Anet sin (phase T= ,  = 2f and f = =
For example if point of suspension  T 2
of A1 +  )
has an upward acceleration a, then 2
(i) k is wave number, k =

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 (v) P ( x, t ) and  ( x, t ) are in 1

(ii) Wave speed v = = f In case of point source, I  or ,
k same phase, But y ( x, t ) equation r2
5. Particle Speed (vp) And Wave 2
has a phase difference of /2 with I 2  r1 
speed (v) In case of Harmonic
rest two equations. =  ,
Wave I1  r2 
9. Wave Speed
(i) y = f ( x, t ) where x and t are two In case of line source,
(i) Speed of transverse wave on a
y stretched wire:- 1 I r 
variables. So, v p = v I  or, 2 =  1 
t T T r I1  r2 
v= =
(ii) In harmonic wave, particles are µ s 12. Doppler Effect in Sound:
in SHM.  v  vm  v0 
(ii) Speed of longitudinal wave:
(iii) Relation between vp and v; f "= f  
y V=
E  v  vm  vs 
vP = –v
x  13. Beats: fb = f1 – f 2 ( f1  f2 )
6. Phase Difference () (a) In solids, E=Y=Young’s modulus 14. Stationary Waves
Case I of elasticity: (i) Stationary waves are formed by the
2 Y superposition of two identical waves
 =  ( t1 – t2 ) or  = .t =  v=
T  travelling in opposite directions.
phase difference of one particle at a (b) In gases, According to Newton. (ii) Formation of stationary waves is
time interval of t. really the interference of two waves
E = Br
Case II in which coherent (same frequency)
= Isothermal bulk modulus of source are required.
2
 = k ( x1 ~ x2 ) = .x = phase elasticity = P (iii) By the word ‘identical waves’ we
 P mean that they must have same value
 v=
difference at one time between two  of v, , and k.
particles at a path difference of x. Amplitudes may be different, but
7. Energy Density (u), Power [P] And But results did not match with this
formula. same amplitudes are preferred.
Intensity (I) In Harmonic Wave (iv) In stationary waves all particles
Laplace made correction in it.
1 oscillate with same value of  but
(i) Energy density u = 2 A2 = According to him,
2 amplitudes varying from A1 + A2 to
Cp 
energy of oscillation per unit = = 1+ (f=degree of A1 – A2. Points where amplitude is
volume. Cv f maximum (or A1+A2) are called
1 freedom) E = Bs antinodes (or points of constructive
(ii) Power P = 2 A2 Sv = energy interference) and points where
2 = A diabatic bulk modulus of
elasticity = p amplitude is minimum (or A1–A2)
transferred per unit time (S=Area)
are called nodes (or points of
1 P RT kT
(iii) Intensity I = 2 A2v =  v= = = destructive interference).
2  M m (v) If A1=A2=A, then amplitude at
energy transferred per unit time per antinode is 2A and at node is zero. In
10. Effect of Temperature, Pressure
unit area. this case point at node do not
and Relative Humidity in Speed of
Longitudinal Wave oscillate.
Sound in Air (On in A Gas)
(i) There are three equations (vi) Points at antinodes have maximum
associated with any longitudinal (i) With temperature v  T energy of oscillation and points at
wave y ( x, t ) , P ( x, t ) and (ii) With pressure Pressure has no nodes have minimum energy of
effect on speed of sound as long as
 ( x, t ) temperature remains constant.
oscillation (zero when A1=A2).
(vii) Points lying between two successive
(ii) y represents displacement of (iii)With relative humidity: With nodes are in same phase. They are
medium particles from their mean increase in relative humidity in air, out of phase with the points lying
position parallel to direction of wave density decreases, Hence, speed of between two neighbouring
velocity. sound increase. successive nodes.
(iii) From y(x,t) equation, we can 11. Sound level (L) (viii) Equation of stationary wave is of
make P ( x, t ) or  ( x, t ) L = 10log 10
I type,
(in dB)
equation by using the fundamental I0 y = 2 A sin kx cos t
relation between them, Here I0=intensity of minimum or y = A cos kx sin t etc
y y audible sound = 10–12 watt/m2
P = – B. and  = –. This equation can also be written as,
x x While comparing loudness of two y = Ax sin t or y = Ax cos t
sounds we may write,
B = Bulk Modulus.
I If x=0 is a node then, Ax = A0 sin kx,
(iv) P0 = BAk and 0 = Ak L2 – L1 = 10log10 2
I1
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If x=0 is an antinode then, Ax = A0

cos kx
Here A0 is maximum amplitude at
antinode.
(ix) Energy of oscillation in a given
volume can be obtained either by
adding energies due to two
individual waves travelling in Even and odd both harmonics are
opposite directions or by integration. obtained.
Because in standing wave amplitude Here, v=speed of sound in air.
and therefore energy of oscillation v will be either given in the question,
varies point to point. otherwise calculate from
15. Oscillation of Stretched Wire or RT
v= .
Organ Pipes M
(i) Stretched wire (iii) Closed organ pipe Fundamental
Fundamental tone or first harmonic tone or first harmonic (n=1)
(n=1) First overtone or third harmonic
(n=3)
Second overtone or fifth harmonic
First overtone or second harmonic (n=5)
(n=2) v
f = n   n = 1,3,5,....
 4l 
Second overtone or third harmonic
(n=3)
v
f = n   . Here, n = 1, 2, 3, ….
 2l 

Even and odd both harmonics are

obtained. Note: (i) Stationary transverse wave are
formed in stretched wire and
T T
Here, V = or longitudinal stationary waves are
µ S formed in organ pipes.
(ii) Open organ pipe (ii) Open end of pipe is displacement
Fundamental tone or first harmonic antinode, but pressure and density
(n=1) nodes. Closed end of pipe is
displacement node, but pressure and
density antinodes.
(iii) Laplace correction e=0.6r (in closed
pipe and 2e=1.2r (in open pipe)
 v 
First overtone or second harmonic Hence, f = n   (in open
(n=2)  2 ( l + 1.2r ) 
 v 
pipe) and f = n   (in
 4 ( l + 0.6r ) 
closed pipe)
(iv) If an open pipe and a closed pipe are
Second overtone or third harmonic of same lengths then fundamental
(n=3) frequency of open pipe is two times
v the fundamental frequency of closed
f = n   , n = 1, 2,3,... pipe.
 2l 