Properties of waves

A wave motion is the ability of transferring energy from one point (the source) to another point without
there being any transfer of matter between the two points. Waves are either electromagnetic or
mechanical.

Electromechanical Waves
These types of waves require no medium for propagation; hence they can travel through vacuum. They
are often impeded by the presence of matter. Examples include radio waves, light waves and X-rays

Mechanical Waves
These waves require a material medium in order to transfer energy from source to destination (i.e.:
propagation). Examples include water waves, sound waves and waves in stretched string.

When a mechanical wave travels from one point to another, it causes each particle inside the medium to
oscillate about a fixed point. This oscillation can either be perpendicular to the motion of the wave
(Transverse wave) or it can be parallel to the wave (Longitudinal wave).

Definition:

1. Transverse waves are waves in which the direction of propagation is perpendicular to the
direction of propagation of the wave

2. Longitudinal waves are waves in which the direction of propagation is parallel to the direction
of propagation of the wave

3.
Below shows an example of a snapshot of a wave ie: Displacement - Position Graph

Use of a slinky and an actual diagram of a wave would be beneficial here. Audio visual can be
used if no such apparatus exist. Dropping a pebble in a cup would also assist here

Reference: A-level physics [Roger Muncaster], fourth edition. Chapter 23 page 422

The diagram above shows the movement of the entire wave as it passes through the water. Let us say
we are interested in looking at only one particle as it is affected by the energy coming from the source.
The diagram below shows the particle movement of a single water molecule. Displacement - Time
graph
Definitions

1. Amplitude: The strength or power of a wave signal. The "height" or maximum and
minimum displacement of the particle from the rest position.

2. Frequency: The number of times the wavelength occurs in one second. Measured in hertz
(Hz), or cycles per second. The faster the sound source vibrates, the higher the frequency.

3. Period: The time required for a particle inside the wave to undergo one oscillation. This
is also the time taken for the wave to travel one wavelength.

4. Wavelength: The distance between any point on a wave and the equivalent point on the
next phase. Literally, the length of the wave. [Note that this only applies to a wave
motion and not a particle inside a wave. Particle movement inside a wave posses a period
and NOT a wavelength]

5. Wave Speed (v/c): This is the speed of propagation in a given medium and is given by
the formula:
𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆
6. Displacement: The distance and direction the particle moved due to influence of wave
motion.

Deriving the Wave Speed of a wave

When a pebble is dropped into a bucket of water, as soon as it plunges through the water, it sends
ripples across the surface of the water. The ripples move forward at some speed from the source
in phase with the energy resonating from the source. This speed is actually referred to as the
wave speed of the wave and it can be quantified into a formula:

For a wave travelling at a speed (V) the period (T) is the time it takes to complete one complete
oscillation/wave length (λ).

Now

Speed = Distance x Time

𝜆 1
Therefore: v= alternatively written as v =λ
𝑇 𝑇
1
But f=
𝑇

Therefore v=fλ
Phase of a wave(ϕ)

The phase of a wave, measured in radians (this one we will use) or degrees, where 2π degrees is
one wavelength, indicates the current position of the wave relative to a reference position. The
phase of a point is represented by an angle ϕ. Points on a wave having the same velocity are
said to be in phase.

where , , and are constant

parameters called the
amplitude, frequency, and
phase of the sinusoid. These
functions are periodic with
period . The term phase
can refer to several different
things:

• It can refer to a
specified reference, such as
, in which case we
would say the phase of is
, and the phase of is
.
• It can refer to , in
which case we would say
and have the same phase
but are relative to their own
specific references.
Phase difference:

Phase difference , also called phase angle , in degrees is conventionally defined as a number
greater than -180, and less than or equal to +180. Leading phase refers to a wave that occurs
"ahead" of another wave of the same frequency. Lagging phase refers to a wave that occurs
"behind" another wave of the same frequency. The wave depicted by the dashed line leads the
wave represented by the solid line by 90 degrees.
 Polarization

This is a feature of transverse waves ONLY. Transverse waves can either be polarized, un-
polarized or partially polarized. Polarization is a property of light wherein some waves are
selectively blocked based on the orientations of their electromagnetic oscillation. While
polarization is most commonly observed with respect to visible light, microwave light can
similarly undergo polarization. This polarization can be demonstrated under proper experimental
conditions, even if the microwave light itself is invisible to the human eye. Note, however, that
polarization of light is dependent on the wavelength of that light, and therefore materials that
polarize visible light will not necessarily polarize microwave light, as microwave light is
characterized by much longer wavelengths.

Read more: How to Demonstrate the Polarization of Microwaves | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/how_7579862_demonstrate-polarization-
microwaves.html#ixzz26Chv9qxY

Polarized waves
When all vibrations of a transverse wave are in a single plane which contains the direction of
propagation of the wave, the wave is said to be plane or linearly polarized.

Example of polarizing a wave:

Example 1:
Light may be polarized by using Polaroid’s which contain long parallel molecules. These
molecules polarize the light passing through the Polaroid. We can use two sheets of
Polaroids to vary the intensity of the light. (See Muncaster pg467 – 468, section 27.2)
 Example 2:
Microwaves can be polarized by using a metal grid of
parallel bars which are laid out next to each other. Image
a page from a note book, the bars resemble this exactly.
When we shine microwaves onto the bars, those waves
that are parallel will be filtered, however, those that are
perpendicular will be allowed to pass through the grid.
The most important issue here is the angle of incidence
of the microwave beam.

If a wave having an Amplitude of E o is incident on a polarizer such that the angle

between the incident and the transmitted E is ϴ.

Then the transmitted wave E = E o cosϴ and the Intensity (I) = I o cosϴ

Un-polarized or randomly polarized

This occurs because the atoms in a wave do not vibrate in the same direction. The wave therefore is
made up of the superposition of a huge number of tiny waves which are in random and uncoralated
directions. Examples of this type of wave can be seen in the light given off from an incandescent bulb or
thermal radiation.

Polarization by reflection (See Muncaster pg468 – 469)