Physics

Physics - Waves 01/09/2011
o Waves transfer energy through a medium (unless electro magnetic)
o Medium : Material that transmits a wave
 Water, Air, Slinky, Rope
o Most waves are started by a vibration
o Periodic motion : an object that moves in a repetitive pattern
o In order to analyze periodic motion (waves, pendulums, things moving in
circles) we look at the smallest repeated part.
o Cycle : One completed vibration
o Period : (T) The time required for one complete vibration, wave or circle
o Symbol : T (uppercase, a special time, the time for one vibration)
o Frequency : (f) number of cycles per time period, usually the number of
waves which pass a point in a second. (measured in Hertz “Hz”)
o What is a wave?
o a disturbance which transfers energy through a medium
o repeats itself regularly in space and time and transmits
progressively from one particle to the next, without transporting
the matter.
o Pulse : a single disturbance
 Travelling Wave : a periodic disturbance
o What is a Mechanical Wave?
 Require a medium to travel through

 Other types like Electromagnetic waves that do not require a
medium
o What does the speed of the wave depend on?
 A property of the medium through which it travels
 Water waves = depth of water
 Sound waves = temperature of air
 Spring waves = mass per unit length
o What happens when a wave dampens?
 The energy in the wave is lessened, seen as the height or size of
the wave is reduced.
 NOTE: speed is not affected
Transverse Wave:
Wave Length
Direction of motion Crest
 Amplitude
Rest Position^
o Trough
Wavelength : The distance between two successive wave crests, The symbol
for wavelength is lambda (λ)
Crest : The high point of the wave

Trough : The low point of the wave
Amplitude : The distance from the rest position to either the crest or trough
 What is a transverse wave?
 a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular
to the direction of the wave.
 Ex: Water, Slinky
 Water waves are more appropriately called surface waves, vibrating
both parallel and perpendicular.
o What is a Longitudinal wave?
 A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the
direction the wave is travelling.
Wavelength Movement of air molecules
Compression Refraction (expansion)
o Natural Frequency : all objects have a natural frequency. The frequency
at which an object will vibrate freely.
o Resonance : A phenomena that occurs when energy is added to a
vibrating system at the frequency as its natural frequency. During
resonance, the amplitude of the vibrations of the object become very
large.
o Ex : shattering crystal glass, Tacoma narrows brigde
The Wave Equation:
o The waves we look at are travelling at a constant velocity
-> V=d/t distance the wave travels over time to travel that distance
-> V= λ/T wavelength over period
-> V=f λ frequency times wavelength
Wave Behaviors
The speed of a wave depends on the properties of its medium.
 Water Waves depend on the depth of the water
 Sound waves depend on the temperature of the air
 Rope/slinky waves depend on mass per unit length
* As long as the medium is the same, the speed will stay the same*
What happens when a wave changes media?
- If the media are quite similar, most of the wave is transmitted
- If the media are quite different, most of the wave is reflected
i) less dense to more dense = inverted
ii) more dense to less dense = erect
*Once a frequency has been established, it will not change even if the
medium changes*
Interference (Superposition)
Principle of superposition : the displacements of the medium caused by two
or more waves is the algebraic sum of the displacement caused by the
individual waves.
Constructive Interference: The wave displacements are either both crests or
both troughs
Destructive Interference: The wave displacements are opposites
-After the waves meet and interfere, they keep moving and resume theit
original form and direction.
Standing Waves
 a result of identical waves travelling in opposite directions at a frequency
where they interfere, constructively or destructively.
. . . .
Node
Antinode
Node: medium is not displaced, destructive interference.
Antinode: The maximum highest point
Reflection: when a wave or series of waves hits a barrier or obstacle, the
waves are turned back or “reflected”

i) if they hit a barrier straight on, they are reflected back along their
original path.
ii) If they hit on an angle, they are reflected back at that angle.
barrier
I= incident angle
I R R= reflected angle
Incident ray normal reflected ray
Law of Reflection : the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Diffraction : The spreading of waves around the edge of the barrier
- The smaller the wavelength in comparison to the size of the obstacle, the
less the diffraction.
Note : waves fill in the space behind the object due to diffraction
Refraction : the change in direction of waves at the boundary between two
different media due to different speeds
- a change in the depth of water results in a new speed and wavelength.
(frequency is constant) the wave may change direction

01/09/2011
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01/09/2011

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Physics - Waves 01/09/2011

o Waves transfer energy through a medium (unless electro magnetic)

o Medium : Material that transmits a wave

 Water, Air, Slinky, Rope

o Most waves are started by a vibration

o Periodic motion : an object that moves in a repetitive pattern

o In order to analyze periodic motion (waves, pendulums, things moving in

circles) we look at the smallest repeated part.

o Cycle : One completed vibration

o Symbol : T (uppercase, a special time, the time for one vibration)

waves which pass a point in a second. (measured in Hertz “Hz”)

o a disturbance which transfers energy through a medium

o repeats itself regularly in space and time and transmits

progressively from one particle to the next, without transporting

o Pulse : a single disturbance

 Travelling Wave : a periodic disturbance

o What is a Mechanical Wave?

 Require a medium to travel through

o What does the speed of the wave depend on?

 A property of the medium through which it travels

 Water waves = depth of water

 Sound waves = temperature of air

 Spring waves = mass per unit length

o What happens when a wave dampens?

 The energy in the wave is lessened, seen as the height or size of

the wave is reduced.

 NOTE: speed is not affected

Direction of motion Crest

for wavelength is lambda (λ)

Crest : The high point of the wave

 What is a transverse wave?

 a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular

to the direction of the wave.

 Ex: Water, Slinky

 Water waves are more appropriately called surface waves, vibrating

both parallel and perpendicular.

o What is a Longitudinal wave?

 A wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the

direction the wave is travelling.

Wavelength Movement of air molecules

Compression Refraction (expansion)

o Natural Frequency : all objects have a natural frequency. The frequency

at which an object will vibrate freely.

o Resonance : A phenomena that occurs when energy is added to a

vibrating system at the frequency as its natural frequency. During

resonance, the amplitude of the vibrations of the object become very

The Wave Equation:

o The waves we look at are travelling at a constant velocity

-> V= λ/T wavelength over period

-> V=f λ frequency times wavelength

The speed of a wave depends on the properties of its medium.

 Water Waves depend on the depth of the water

 Sound waves depend on the temperature of the air

 Rope/slinky waves depend on mass per unit length

What happens when a wave changes media?

- If the media are quite similar, most of the wave is transmitted

- If the media are quite different, most of the wave is reflected

i) less dense to more dense = inverted

ii) more dense to less dense = erect

or more waves is the algebraic sum of the displacement caused by the