W A V E S

WAVES tutorsopi.blogspot.com

C H E C K L I S T
1.1 Type of waves 2 types of waves
Definitions and differences
Example
Keywords Amplitude
Wavelength
Period
Frequency
Damping Definition
Example
Resonance Definition
Example
1.2 Reflection Definition
Changes v, f, λ
Example
1.3 Refraction Definition
Changes v, f, λ
Example
1.4 Diffraction Definition
Changes v, f, λ
Example
1.5 Interference Definition
Changes v, f, λ
Example
Formula
1.6 Sound waves Definition
Changes v, f, λ
Example
Loudness and pitch
1.7 Electromagnetic waves Spectrum
Application

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1.1 Understanding waves

 disturbance in a medium (due vibration, oscillation)
 energy propagates without transfer of matter
 2 types: transverse and longitudinal

Types of waves
Transverse wave Longitudinal wave
particle vibrates perpendicular to the direction of particle vibrates parallel to the direction of propagation
propagation of wave of wave

does not require medium does not require medium

example: water, light example: water, light

Wavefront: The line that connects the points in the same phase

Complete oscillation
Simple pendulum Spring

ABACA ABACA

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Amplitude, A The maximum displacement from equilibrium

Wavelength, λ Horizontal distance between two consecutive points of the same phase
Period, T The time taken for a complete oscillation Period, T

Frequency, f The number of complete oscillations per second (Hz, s-1) Frequency, f

Displacement-time graph Displacement-distance graph

v = velocity, ms-1
v=fλ f = frequency, Hz
λ = wavelength, m

Damping: Decrease in the amplitude of oscillation due to the loss of energy

External damping frictional force @ air resistance
Internal damping extension and compression of the molecules in the system
Energy ↓ amplitude ↓frequency =

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Resonance: External force that causes the system to vibrate with the same frequency as its natural frequency.
Natural frequency: Frequency when there is no external force

Barton’s Pendulum

- When X oscillates, all pendulums are forced to oscillate

- Pendulum D oscillates with the largest amplitude
- Natural frequency depending on the length of the string
- Length of string D equal to X. X forces D to oscillate at its
natural frequency.
- Pendulum D experiences resonance.

Example of phenomenon involving resonance

1.2 Reflection of waves

 Angle of incidence = angle of
reflection
 After reflection
 Same: λ, f, Speed
 Change: the direction,
velocity

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1.3 Refraction of waves

The waves change direction when passing from one medium to another due to changes in speed
Changes after refraction (highway)

Clear road Congested road

Less dense / deep region More dense / shallow region

Faster Slower

Away from normal Towards normal

 Water moves from the deep region to the shallow

region
 Refraction occurs, the direction of wave change
 Energy is focused towards cape (turbulent)
 Energy spread out at the bay (calm)

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Refraction of sound wave

Warm Cold
v↑,λ↑ v↓, λ↓
Day

 The layer of air below is warmer

 ↑ v, λ ↑
 sound is refracted upward
 sound not clear

Night

 The layer of air below is cooler

 ↓ v, λ ↓
 sound is refracted downward
 sound clearer

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1.4 Diffraction of waves

 When waves spread through a gap or around barrier
 f, λ, speed =
 A↓
 wavefront pattern changes
↑ diffraction diffraction ↓

Size of
barrier

Size of the
gap

Wavelength

Application (wall barrier)

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Diffraction of light waves (small slit, monochromatic light)

Small slit Small pin hole

Wavelength R > O > Y > G > B > I > V (rainbow)

Diffraction of sound waves

Sound can be heard from the other side (sound is
f ↑ (λ ↓, diffraction↓) f ↓ (λ ↑, diffraction↑)
diffracted), but cannot see (light is not diffracted).

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1.5 Interference of waves

 Phenomenon due to the superposition of two waves generated from two coherent sources (coherent = same f, A,
phase – phase difference is same or same phase)
 Principle of superposition: When two or more waves meet, the total displacement at any point is the vector sum of
the displacements that each individual would cause at that point.
Types of interference
Constructive Destructive
crest + crest (A + A = 2A)
crest + trough (A + -A = 0)
trough + trough (-A + -A = -2A)

Formula of interference

λ = wavelength
𝑎𝑥 a = distance between the two coherent sources
𝜆=
𝐷 x = distance between the two nodes or antinodes
D = the distance between the source and x

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Interference of light waves (Young's double slit experiment)

Interference of sound waves

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1.6 Sound waves

 influenced by A (loudness) and f (pitch)
f ↑ (pitch ↑) Original wave f ↓ (pitch ↓)

A ↑ (↑ loudness) Original wave A ↓ (↓ loudness)

Applications of sound wave

Formula for sound waves (reflection @ echo)

D = distance @ depth
𝑣𝑡
𝐷= v = speed of sound
2
t = time

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1.7 Electromagnetic waves

 Electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of propagation of wave
Characteristics of electromagnetic waves

 transverse wave
 undergoes reflection, refraction, diffraction,
interference and polarization
 the speed of light (3x108 ms-1)
 does not require medium
 neutral (no charge)
 high energy

Electromagnetic spectrum

APPLICATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

Types Sources Applications
- Electrons in the aerial - Radio and tv
Radio
- broadcasting station - Telecommunications
- Satellite systems
- Transmitter - Radar systems (navigational)
Micro
- Microwave oven - GPS
- Cooking
- Night vision
- Alarm system
Infrared - Heated object
- Remote control
- Thermal imaging
- Lamps
- Sight
Visible light - Star
- Photography
- Fire
- Very hot objects - Sterilization of medical devices
Ultraviolet - Sun - Detecting counterfeit money
- Mercury vapor lamp - Stimulates production of vitamin D
- Radiotherapy
X-ray - X-ray tube - X-ray photography
- Scanners at airports
- Radiotherapy
- Cosmic rays
- Medical imaging
Gamma rays - Star
- Sterilization
- Radioactive materials
- Pest Control

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