Wave and Oscillations

Objectives

Wave and Oscillations

Wave
o A wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities.. It may take the
form of elastic deformation, a variation of pressure, electric or magnetic intensity, electric potential, or temperature.
✔ Introduction of Waves
• Transfers energy.
• Usually involves a periodic, repetitive Movement.
• Does not result in a net movement of the medium or particles in the
medium (mechanical wave).

 
Waves-types
Based on the orientation of particle motion and 2. Mechanical waves:
direction of energy, there are three categories: A wave which needs a medium in order to propagate
1. Electromagnetic Wave itself. Sound waves, waves in a Slinky, and water waves
2. Mechanical Wave are all examples of this..
3. Matter Wave
1. Electromagnetic Waves: a. Transverse Wave
Electromagnetic waves are created by a fusion of electric b. Longitudinal
and magnetic fields. The light you see, and the colors around Wave
you are visible because of electromagnetic waves.
e.g. Radio signals, light rays, x-rays, and cosmic rays
 

 
Waves-types
There are two types of Mechanical waves are given below.
a. Transverse Waves
Waves in which the medium moves at right angles to the direction of the wave.
Examples of transverse waves:
Water waves (ripples of gravity waves, not sound through water), Light waves, S-wave earthquake waves, tringed
instruments, Torsion wave
The high point of a transverse wave is a crest. The low part is a trough.
Waves-types
b. Longitudinal Wave:
A longitudinal wave has the movement of the particles in the medium in the same dimension as the direction of
movement of the wave.
Examples of longitudinal waves:
Sound waves, P-type earthquake waves, Compression wave
Waves-types
Matter Wave:
Photons are particles of light. Matter is made of atoms, and atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and
electrons. These are not macroscopic particles. Typical atomic dimensions are on the order of 10-10 m,
nuclear dimensions are on the order of 10-15 m, and the electron seems to be a point particle with no size at
all. How do these particles behave?
If a wave equation describes the behavior of photons, maybe a wave equation also
describes the behavior of other microscopic particles.
In 1924, Luis de Broglie (Nobel Prize in Physics in 1929) proposed that a wave function is associated with all
particles. Where this wave function has nonzero amplitude, we are likely to find the particle. The standard
interpretation is that the intensity of the wave function of a particle at any point is proportional to the probability of
finding the particle at that point. The wave function for a material particle is often called a matter wave.

Matter Waves are associated with moving particles and are the result of the motion of electrons, protons, neutrons,
and other fundamental particles along with atoms and molecules. As its major constituent is matter hence these are
known as matter waves.
Waves-types
Progressive Wave and Stationary Wave
Progressive Wave

A wave which travels continuously in a medium in the same direction without a change in its amplitude is
called a travelling wave or a progressive wave or Travelling wave. Light wave is a progressive wave.

Stationary Wave

A stationary (or standing) wave is a wave formed by the superposition of two progressive waves of the same
frequency and amplitude traveling in the opposite direction

Wave Equation:
y(x,t) = A sin(kx - ωt) + A sin(kx + ωt)
y(x,t) = 2A sin(kx)cos(ωt)
Progressive and stationary waves-difference
Progressive waves
The disturbance produced in the medium travels
onward, it being handed over from one particle to
the next. Each particle executes the same type of
vibration as the preceding one, though not at the
same time.
The amplitude of each partide is the same but the
phase changes continuously,
No particle is permanently at rest. Different
particles attain the state of momentary rest at
different instants,
All the particles attain the same maximum velocity All the particles attain their own maximum velocity
when they pass through their mean positions.
There is a flow of energy across every plane in the
direction of propagation.
Stationary waves
There is no onward motion of the disturbance as no
particle transfers its motion to the next. Each
particle has its own characteristic vibration.
The amplitudes of the different particles are
different, ranging from zero at the nodes to
maximum at the antinodes. All the particles in each
segment vibrate in phase but in opposite phase
relative to the particles in the adjacent segment.
The particles at the nodes are permanently at rest
but other particles attain their position of
momentary rest simultaneously.
at the same time when they pass through their mean
positions.
Energy is not transported across any plane
Mathematical problems
Q1. A wave displacement is given by y = 0.1 sin (0.1x – 0.1t) m. Find (a) the amplitude of the wave, (b) the magnitude of
the propagation vector, (c) the wavelength, (d) the time period, and (e) the wave velocity
Solution:
The various parameters of the given harmonic wave can be found by comparing it with the standard form
y = A sin (kx – ωt) for a wave propagating in the positive x-direction.

(a) The amplitude A = 0.1 m y = 0.1 sin (0.1x – 0.1t)

(b) The propagation vector k = 0.1 m–1
(c) The wavelength λ = 2π/k = 20π m
(d) The angular frequency ω = 0.1 s–1, time period T = 2π/ω = 20π s
(e) The wave velocity v = ω/k = 1 m/s.
Conclusions

Thank you