Lecture_26

Derivation of wave equation from

n-coupled masses oscillators

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N-masses coupled oscillator
X

x0 x1 x2 x3 x4

S0 S1 S2 S3
What will be the equation of motion for ith
mass?

Displacements S1, S2, ……..SN as a function of time

was studied 3
In the limit x tending to 0 i.e. N→

Wave equation
How to solve this wave equation? 4
ω correspond to driving impulse matched with any of the
normal mode frequency

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General solution of Wave equation

Thus the general solution is:

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 We know

Let’s Choose A and B as

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General solution of Wave equation

Thus the general solution of a wave equation is:

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 Plot of cos( x –ωt) x=0 and t = 0, cosine has
Max value hence  x = 0

X

After t = Δt, cosine has max value and

wave has moved a distance Δx, hence Δx
–ω Δt = 0 and v = Δx/Δt = ω/  9
 x=0 and t = 0, cosine has
Plot of cos(κx +ωt) Max value hence  x + ωt = 0

X

After t = Δt, the wave has moved a distance Δx, hence Δx +ω Δt = 0 and v = Δx/Δt = -ω/  10
Thus the general solution of a wave equation is:

Left going Right going

Constants are determined by initial conditions

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Derivation of 1D-Wave Equations: Continuous medium
Approximations:

▪ The string is homogeneous

▪ The string is elastic and doesn't

offer resistance to bend

▪ Every particle shows small

transverse motion

▪ Deflection and slope are small

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 Derivation of 1D-Wave Equations

𝐹𝑦 = −𝑇 sin 𝜃1 + 𝑇 sin 𝜃2
Considering the angles to be small, we have

𝐹𝑦 = −𝑇𝜃1 + 𝑇𝜃2 = 𝑇(𝜃2 - 𝜃1 ) = 𝑇∆𝜃

𝐹𝑦 = 𝑑𝑚 𝑦ሷ = 𝑇∆𝜃

𝜇∆𝑥 𝑦ሷ = 𝑇∆𝜃
𝜕𝑦
Lets consider; tan 𝜃 =
𝜕𝑥

1 𝜕𝜃 𝜕 2 𝑦
Taking the derivatives, we have 2
= 2
cos 𝛩 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 13
 Derivation of 1D-Wave Equations
For small angle approximation cosine =1,
𝜕𝜃 𝜕 2 𝑦 𝜕2𝑦
= 2 𝜕𝜃 = 2 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
Putting these values in the parent equation

𝜇∆𝑥 𝑦ሷ = 𝑇∆𝜃 𝜕2𝒚 𝜕2𝒚

𝝁𝜟𝒙 2 = 𝑻 2 𝜕𝒙
𝜕𝒕 𝜕𝒙

𝝁 𝜕2𝒚 𝜕2𝒚
2
= 2
𝑻 𝜕𝒕 𝜕𝒙

1 𝜕 2 𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕) 𝜕 2 𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕) 𝑻
2 2
= 𝒗𝒑 =
𝝁
𝒗𝒑 𝜕𝒕 𝜕𝒙2

This is known as the wave equation 14

 Trial solutions of the Wave Equations
1 𝜕 2 𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕) 𝜕 2 𝒚(𝒙, 𝒕)
2 2
=
𝒗𝒑 𝜕𝒕 𝜕𝒙2
Let the solution be of the form 𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 𝑡
The wave equation becomes
1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 𝜕2𝐴 𝑥
2 𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑡 2
=𝐵 𝑡
𝜕𝑥 2
𝑣𝑝
1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 1 𝜕2𝐴 𝑥
2 2
=
𝑣𝑝 𝐵 𝑡 𝜕𝑡 𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2

This equation must be satisfied for all x and t, so both sides must be a constant

1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 1 𝜕𝐴 𝑥 2
= = − 𝑘𝑚
𝑣𝑝2 𝐵 𝑡 𝜕𝑡 2 𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2 15
Trial solutions of the Wave Equations
1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 1 𝜕𝐴 𝑥 2
= = − 𝑘𝑚
𝑣𝑝2 𝐵 𝑡 𝜕𝑡 2 𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2

1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 2
= − 𝑘𝑚
𝑣𝑝2 𝐵 𝑡 𝜕𝑡 2
𝜕2 2 2
2
𝐵 𝑡 = −𝑘𝑚 𝑣𝑝 𝐵 𝑡
𝜕𝑡

𝐵 𝑡 = 𝐵𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡 + 𝛽𝑚 𝜔𝑚 = 𝑘𝑚 𝑣𝑝

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 Trial solutions of the Wave Equations
1 𝜕2𝐵 𝑡 1 𝜕𝐴 𝑥 2
= = − 𝑘𝑚
𝑣𝑝2 𝐵 𝑡 𝜕𝑡 2 𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2

𝐵 𝑡 = 𝐵𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡 + 𝛽𝑚 𝜔𝑚 = 𝑘𝑚 𝑣𝑝

1 𝜕2𝐴 𝑥 2
= − 𝑘𝑚
𝐴 𝑥 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕2 2
2
𝐴 𝑥 = −𝑘𝑚 A(x)
𝜕𝑥

𝐴 𝑥 = 𝐶𝑚 sin 𝑘𝑚 𝑥 + 𝛼𝑚

𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴 𝑥 𝐵 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡 + 𝛽𝑚 sin 𝑘𝑚 𝑥 + α𝑀
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 Superposition and Standing Waves
Forward moving wave,
𝑦1 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴 sin 𝑘𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡
2𝜋
𝑘= , 𝜔 = 𝑘𝑣
Wave moving backward, 𝜆
𝑦2 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴 sin 𝑘𝑥 + 𝜔𝑡
The superposition of the two waves will lead to

𝑦 = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 = 2 𝐴 sin(𝑘𝑥) cos(𝜔𝑡)

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 Boundary Condition and Standing Waves
𝑦 = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 = 2 𝐴 sin(𝑘𝑥) cos(𝜔𝑡)

• The boundary conditions require that y must vanish at 𝑥 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑙.

𝑛𝜋
• y can also be zero for condition 𝑘𝑛 = , n =1, 2..
𝐿
• This leads to formation of nodes in the string.
2𝜋 2𝐿 𝑛𝜋
𝜆𝑛 = = 𝜔𝑛 = 𝑘𝑛 𝜈 = 𝑣
𝑘𝑛 𝑛 𝐿
𝑛𝜋𝑥
Most generalized solution will be 𝑦 = ෍ 𝑦𝑛 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑛 sin cos(𝜔𝑛 𝑡)
𝐿
𝑛

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Standing waves

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 Boundary condition at the Interface of two medium
Boundary conditions:

At 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦1 = 𝑦2 (otherwise the string will break)

Differentials at the boundary must be continuous
𝜕𝑦1 𝜕𝑦2
=
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
The frequency remains same across the boundary
𝜔 = 𝑣1 𝑘1 = 𝑣2 𝑘2

If there is no loss of energy at the boundary

𝐴𝑖 = 𝐴 𝑟 + 𝐴𝑡
Lets assume part of the incident wave is transmitted and part is reflected

𝑦𝑙ሶ = 𝐴𝑖 sin 𝑘1 𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡 𝑦𝑡 = 𝐴𝑡 sin 𝑘2 𝑥 − 𝜔𝑡

𝑦𝑟 = 𝐴𝑟 sin 𝑘1 𝑥 + 𝜔𝑡 21
 Reflectance and Transmittance
𝐴𝑟 𝑣2 − 𝑣1 𝐴𝑡 2𝑣2
𝑟= = 𝑡= =
𝐴𝑖 𝑣1 + 𝑣2 𝐴𝑖 𝑣1 + 𝑣2

Fixed wall/end, 𝑣2 =0,

t = 0 and r = -1

A wave hitting a fixed point will be reflected, and the

amplitude will be inverted

A mountain will become a valley and a valley will become a

mountain
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 If wave propagation is parallel to the oscillation: Longitudinal.

Longitudinal waves
(Sound Wave, Vibration of a spring)

If it is perpendicular to the oscillation: Transverse Waves.

Transverse waves
(Light, water Wave, Vibration in guitar
string)

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