Wave

In physics, a wave is disturbance or oscillation (of a physical quantity), that travels through matter or
space, accompanied by a transfer of energy. Wave motion transfers energy from one point to another,
often with no permanent displacement of the particles of the medium—that is, with little or no
associated mass transport.

Waves are described by a wave equation which sets out how the disturbance proceeds over time. The
mathematical form of this equation varies depending on the type of wave.

There are two main types of waves

A wave can be transverse or longitudinal depending on the direction of its oscillation.

Transverse waves occur when a disturbance creates oscillations that are perpendicular (at right angles)
to the propagation (the direction of energy transfer).

Longitudinal waves occur when the oscillations are parallel to the direction of propagation.
While mechanical waves can be both transverse and longitudinal, all electromagnetic waves are
transverse in free space.

1. Progressive Wave
If the wave generated from a source which progresses with time from one point to another through a
medium it is called progressive wave. Progressive wave can be longitudinal or transverse.

Example: When a speaker talks, he produces sound wave. These waves are longitudinal waves which
progress through air medium and reach to the listener. These waves are progressive waves.

Equation of progressive wave or simple harmonic wave

Let a progressive wave originating at O travels with velocity v along the positive X axis. So, the
displacement of the particle

y (0, t) = A sin ωt ……………. (1)

Where,

A = Amplitude of the wave

2π
ω = Angular velocity of the particle = 2𝜋n = T

ωt = Phase angle of the particle or simply phase

 x p

B
Direction of wave motion

We know, the distance travelled by a wave is one complete vibration is called wavelength λ and the
phase difference between two particles situated at a distance λ is 2𝜋. Now, let the phase difference of
the particle at P

y = A sin (ωt - δ)
2πx
The phase difference for distance x is δ = λ

2π
So, phase difference = × path difference For the distance or
λ

Path difference λ the phase difference is 2𝜋

The displacement of the particle at P 2𝜋

…………….. 1 …………………….
𝜆
y = A sin (ωt - δ )
2𝜋
2πx
…………… x ……………….. x
𝜆
= A sin (ωt - )
λ

2πx
= A sin (2𝜋nt - )
λ

v 2πx
= A sin (2𝜋 λ t - )
λ

2π
= A sin (v t - x)
λ

This equation represents a progressive wave. It gives the displacement of any particle at time t.

If the wave travels in the negative X direction, the equation of a progressive wave is
𝟐𝛑
y = A sin (v t + x)
𝛌
2. Stationary Wave or Standing wave
The resultant wave produced by the superposition of two progressive waves, having same wavelength
and amplitude, travelling in opposite direction is called stationary wave.

The stationary wave has no forward motion but remains fixed in space. In stationary waves, there are
certain points where the amplitude is zero. These points are called nodes and there are some points
where the amplitude is maximum. These points are called antinodes.

Equation of stationary wave

Let a progressive wave move along positive X- axis. The equation of this wave
2π
Y1 = A0 sin ( v t - x)
λ

Along negative X-axis

2π
Y2 = A0 sin ( v t + x)
λ

Here, A0 is the amplitude of the wave and y1 and y2 are the displacements of a particle of the wave at
a distance x from the source at time t.

According to the principle of superposition, the resultant displacement of the particle

y = y1 + y2
2π 2π
= A0 sin (v t - x) + A0 sin (v t + x) A+B A−B
λ λ sin A + sin B = 2 sin cos
2 2
2π 2π
= 2 A0 sin vt cos x And
λ λ

= 2 A0 cos
2π
x sin
2π
vt ω = 2𝜋f
λ λ
 2π
= A sin vt
λ

= A sin 2𝜋ft

= A sin ωt

2π
Here, A = 2 A0 cos x, displacement of the particle of wave at x.
λ

This equation represents a simple harmonic vibration of same wavelength λ as the superposing waves.
It should be mentioned that this simple harmonic vibration does not represent a progressive wave since
its phase does not contain term like (vt - x). So, this equation represents a stationary or standing wave.

Variation of amplitude with x

2π
Nodes: The amplitude of the stationary wave is A = 2 A0 cos x. It depends on the position of the
λ
particle. The points where A =0, i.e., amplitude zero, nodes will be formed.
2π
Now, condition for A = 2 A0 cos x = 0 is
λ

2π
cos x=0
λ

2π π 3π 5π
or, x = 2, , , … … ….
λ 2 2

λ 3λ 5λ
Or, x= 4 , , , … … ….
4 4

3λ λ λ
These are points of nodes. Distance between two successive nodes = −4 = 2
4

Antinodes: The points where amplitude A is maximum, antinodes are formed. So, condition for
maximum amplitude are
2π
A = 2 A0 cos 𝑥 = ±2𝐴0
λ

2π
𝑜𝑟, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = ±1
λ
2π
𝑜𝑟, 𝑥 = 0, π, 2π, 3π … … …
λ
λ 2λ 3λ
𝑜𝑟, 𝑥 = 0, , , , … … … … …
2 2 2
These are points of antinodes.
2λ λ λ
The distance between two successive antinodes= − 2 = 2.
2
The distance between a node and an adjacent antinode
λ
is 4. Between two nodes there exists an antinode.