waves

Physics
 Learning objective
Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by
vibration in ropes, springs and by experiments using water
waves
Demonstrate understanding that waves transfer energy
without transferring matter.
State the meaning of speed, frequency, wavelength and
amplitude
 waves
• A wave is a phenomenon in which energy is transferred
from one point to another without the transfer of any
material medium through vibrations.
For example,
ripples cause particles of water to oscillate up and down
Sound waves cause particles of air to vibrate back and
forth
The Source of any wave is
 Worked example

• The diagram below shows a toy duck bobbing up and

down on top of the surface of some water, as waves
pass it underneath.

Explain how the toy

duck demonstrates
that waves do not
transfer matter.
 solution
• The plastic duck moves up and down but does not travel
with the wave along the surface of the water
• The water waves transfer energy, but the water particles do
not move
• This means when a wave travels between two points, no
matter travels with it, the points on the wave vibrate back
and forth about fixed positions
• Objects floating on the water bob up and down when waves
pass under them, demonstrating that there is no movement
of matter in the direction of the wave, only energy
 Wave motion in a ripple tank
• Properties of waves can be observed using water waves in a ripple
tank
• Properties include frequency, wavelength and wave speed
Features of a Wave

• When describing wave motion, there are several terms

which are important to know, including:

• Wavefront
• Wavelength
• Frequency
• Crest (peak)
• Trough
• Amplitude.
 Wavefront
• The arrow shows the direction
the wave is moving and is
• Wavefront are lines drawn sometimes called a ray
to represent waves • The space between each
wavefront represents
the wavelength
• When the wavefronts are close
together, this represents a
wave with a short wavelength
• When the wavefronts are far
apart, this represents a wave
with a long wavelength
 Wavelength
• Wavelength is the distance from one point on the wave to the same
point on the next wave
• In a transverse wave:
• The wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next peak
• In a longitudinal wave
• The wavelength can be measured from the centre of one
compression to the centre of the next
• The wavelength is given the symbol λ (lambda) and is measured
in metres (m)
• The distance along a wave is typically put on the x-axis of a wave
diagram
Wavelength and amplitude of a transverse wave
Amplitude is defined as the
λ= distance from the
undisturbed position to the
peak or trough of a wave
 It is given the symbol A and
is measured in metres (m)
 Amplitude is the maximum
or
minimum displacement from
the undisturbed position
 Frequency, Crests & troughs

• Frequency is defined as the number of waves passing a point in

a second
• Frequency is given by the symbol f and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
• Formula: f = 1 / T.
• Crests & troughs
• A crest, or a peak, is defined as the highest point on a wave
above the equilibrium, or rest position
• A trough is defined as the lowest point on a wave below the
equilibrium, or rest, position
 Wave speed
• Wave speed is defined as:
• The distance travelled by a wave each second
• Speed of wave affected by the depth.

The wave equation

•
•• Where:
•o v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
•o f = wave frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
•o λ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
 Worked example
• Small water waves are created in a ripple tank by a wooden bar. The
wooden bar vibrates up and down hitting the surface of the water.
The diagram below shows a cross-section of the ripple tank and
water.
Identify the letter
which shows:
a) The amplitude
of a water wave.
b) The
wavelength of
the water wave
 Answer

• Mark the undisturbed position on the Identify the arrow between two of
wave the same points on the wave
• This is the centre of the wave •

a. The amplitude is shown by b. The wavelength is shown by

arrow D arrow C
 Class work
•

• The diagram above shows a waveform in which energy

is transferred from A to B n a time of 2.5x10-3s.
Calculate the frequency of the wave.
• WAEC 1992 Ans:1.0×10^3 Hz
 Question 2

The diagram above represents a transverse

electromagnetic wave travelling with speed of m/s.
What is the frequency of the wave? Ans:3.0×10^9Hz
 Electromagnetic Waves and
Mechanical Waves
• a. An electromagnetic wave are wave that do not need a
medium to transfer its energy from one point to another.
• Examples are light waves, radio waves, X-ray and gamma
ray.
• b. A mechanical wave are wave that require a medium in
order to transport their energy from one location to
another.
• Examples Sound wave, water waves, and waves produce in
a rope.
 Travelling Waves and Standing Waves

• a. Progressive or Travelling Waves is a wave which

continues to spread out transferring energy from
one part of the medium to another.
• b. Standing waves (also known as stationary
waves) are set up as a result of the superposition of
two waves with the same amplitude and frequency,
travelling at the same speed, but in opposite
directions.
Stationary waves may be set up when a wave reflects back
from a surface and the reflected wave interferes with the
wave still travelling in the original direction.

A - places where the waves interfere constructively and make double height
wave, there is maximum displacement - Antinode.
N - places where the two waves always 'cancel' out so there is no movement.
Nodes -
 Transverse and longitudinal
waves
• Transverse waves
• Transverse waves are defined as:
• Waves where the direction of vibration is at right angles to
the direction of propagation
• For a transverse wave:
• The energy transfer is perpendicular to the wave motion
• They can move in solids, and on the surface of liquids but
not in liquids or gases
• They can move in a vacuum
Transverse waves can be seen in a rope when it is moved quickly up and
down
 Examples of waves that can be modelled as transverse are:
o Electromagnetic waves (such as radiowaves, visible light, X-rays etc)
o Ripples on the surface of water
o Seismic S-waves (secondary earthquake waves)
 Longitudinal waves

• Waves where the direction of vibration is parallel to the

direction of propagation
• For a longitudinal wave:
• The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave
motion
• They can move in solids, liquids and gases
• They can not move in a vacuum (since there are no
particles)
Longitudinal wave motion
o Close together,
called compressions
o Spaced apart,
called rarefactions

Longitudinal waves can be seen in a slinky spring when it is moved quickly

backwards and forwards
 Examples of waves that can be modelled as longitudinal waves are:
o Sound waves
o Seismic P-waves (primary earthquake waves)
 Comparing transverse and longitudinal waves
Property Transverse waves Longitudinal waves
Structure Peaks and troughs Compressions and rarefactions
Right angles to the direction of energy Parallel to the direction of energy
Vibration
transfer transfer
Only electromagnetic waves can
Vacuum Cannot travel in a vacuum
travel in a vacuum
Can move in solids and the surfaces of
Material Can move in solids, liquids and gases
liquids

Density A constant density The density of the wave changes

Pressure Has a constant pressure Pressure in the wave changes

Depends on the material the wave is Depends on the material the wave is
Speed of wave
travelling in travelling in
 The wave equation
 The equation used to calculate wave speed is:
 v=fλ
Where:
v = wave speed, measured in metres per second (m/s)
f = wave frequency, measured in hertz (Hz)
λ = wavelength, measured in metres (m)
Transverse and longitudinal waves both obey the wave
equation
Worked example

•A wave in a pond has a speed of 0.15

m/s and a time period of 2 seconds.
Calculate:
•a) The frequency of the wave
•b) The wavelength of the wave
 Solution
Step 1: Time period, T = 2 s
Class work

• A sound of frequency 13kHz is transmitted

through water. The speed of sound in water
is 1500m/ s. Calculate the wavelength of
this sound in water.
.(a) A sound wave travels through air. Fig. 6.1 shows a pressure–time
graph for the air at one place.

(i) On Fig. 6.1:

• label one point C to indicate a compression
• label one point R to indicate a rarefaction.
(ii) Explain why this graph cannot be used to find the wavelength of
the sound wave.

............................................................................................................................................

iii) The sound becomes louder and of lower pitch.

State what happens to:

the amplitude of the sound

...............................................................................................................................

the frequency of the sound.

 Class work
• The distance between the successive crests of a wave travelling at 20m/s
is 25cm. Calculate the frequency of the wave. WAEC 200632
Ans:80.0Hz

•The wave motion shown above has a frequency of

• JAMB 1981 Ans:5Hz
 General Progressive Wave Equation

• progressive waveform above, φ is the phase angle

• y = A Sinθ
• y = Asin
• y = vertical displacement, A = amplitude of wave, x= horizontal
coordinate of the vibrating particle from the origin.
• y = Asin( - φ) φ = phase angle , φ =
• y = Asin ( - 2πft) , y = Asin (2πft - )
 Class work
A plane progressive waves is represented by equation y =
2sin ( 2000t – 0.5x) where the symbols have their usual
meanings, calculate
• (i) Frequency
• (ii) Period
• (iii) Amplitude
• (iv) wavelength
• (v) Speed of the waves
 Class work
• 5 (a) Describe how a longitudinal wave differs from a transverse
wave. ...............................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
[2]
• (b) Fig. 5.1 represents a seismic wave produced by an earthquake.
•

• (i) State whether this seismic wave is a P-wave (primary) or an S-wave (secondary). Justify your
choice. .............................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[1]
(ii)
The wave represented in Fig. 5.1 has a wavelength of 1.2 × 104m. Calculate
the actual distance between point J and point K.

distance = ......................................................... [2]

(iii) The wave in (ii) travels through the ground at a speed of 4600m/s. As the
wave passes a certain point, the ground completes 5 oscillations. Calculate the
time that it takes for the wave to pass. Show your working.

time = ......................................................... [3] [Total: 8]

• Answer
 Wave
Effects/Properties
Physics
Learning Objective
• Explain
• reflection,
• refraction
• diffraction
• interference and
• polarization .
 Reflection of Waves

• Reflection involves a change in direction of waves

when they bounce off a barrier
The angle of incidence is
equal to the angle of
reflection
 The wavelength of the
waves is the same
 Refraction

• Refraction is the change in the speed of a wave when it

passes from one medium to another.
• When a wave refracts , it undergoes:
• A change in wavelength (but frequency stays the
same)
• A change in direction
• A change in speed
• Refraction is the only wave effect in which the wavelength
changes.
• Example of refraction
• When water waves transmit from deep water into
shallow water, the speed decreases, the wavelength
decreases, and the direction changes.
• Waves can change direction when moving between
materials with different densities
 Diffraction

• When waves pass through a narrow gap, the waves spread out
• This effect is called diffraction
• Waves diffracting through a narrow gap

• when waves are diffracted the wavelength remains constant.

 The extent of diffraction depends on the width of the gap compared
with the wavelength of the waves
 Diffraction is the most prominent when the width of the slit is
approximately equal to the wavelength
 Wider gaps produce less diffraction
 Interference of Waves

• Interference of Wave is the phenomenon that occurs

when two waves of the same frequency, amplitude
and wave length traveling in the same direction in a
medium superimposed while traveling along the same
medium.
Constructive interference occurs when two interfering waves
meet to produce a reinforced bigger wave. This happen if the
waves arrive at the same sport in phase (crest to crest or
trough to trough).

Destructive interference occurs if two interfering waves

overlap to cancel out or form no wave (zero amplitude).
 Polarization (Wave Polarization)

• Polarization is a property of transverse waves

only.
• Polarization is the restriction of wave in one
plane or in one direction only.
 Uses of Polaroid (Plane Polarized Light)

i.Polaroid filters are used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in

calculators and wrist watch
ii. Sunglasses are polarized designed to reduce glare from
reflecting surfaces or intensity of incident light

iii. Polaroid is used to produce polarized light

iv. Polarized light is used in holography (the production of 3 –
dimensional pictures/film