Manarat Jeddah

International School
Academic Year 2021-2022
Prepared By Ms. Sarah Magdy
Our Mission: Maarif’s teams work to create a motivating learning environment which leads to creativity.
Our Vision: Maarif aims at having a pioneering role in preparing innovators to participate in improving our society.
 Physics
Block 3: Physics of waves
● Chapter 14: General wave properties
Objectives (as per Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus)
 Features of Waves
Waves transfer energy and information. Waves are described as oscillations or vibrations about a fixed
point. For example, ripples cause particles of water to oscillate up and down. Sound waves cause particles
of air to vibrate back and forth. In all cases, waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
The energy transfer is in the same direction as the wave motion.
• For water waves, this means it is the wave and not the water (the matter) itself that travels
• For sound waves, this means it is the wave and not the air molecules (the matter) itself that travels
• Objects floating on water provide evidence that waves only transfer energy and not matter

Q. Explain how the toy duck demonstrates A.

that waves do not transfer matter.
The diagram below shows a toy duck bobbing up and down on
top of the surface of some water, as waves pass it underneath.
Step 1: Identify the type of wave
• The type of wave on the surface of a body of water is a transverse wave,
because the duck is moving perpendicular to the direction of the wave
Step 2: Describe the motion of the toy duck
• The plastic duck moves up and down but does not travel with the wave
Step 3: Explain how this motion demonstrates that waves do not transfer matter
• When a wave travels between two points, no matter actually travels with it,
the points on the wave just vibrate back and forth about fixed positions.
Objects floating on the water simply bob up and down when waves pass
under them, demonstrating that there is no movement of matter in the
direction of the wave, only energy.
 Wave Motion
Waves are repeated vibrations that transfer energy.
Waves can exist as one of two types:
1. Transverse
2. Longitudinal
Wave vibrations can be shown on ropes
(transverse) and springs (longitudinal)
 Transverse Waves
Transverse waves are waves where the points along its length
vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer.
Transverse waves can move in a liquid or solid, but not a gas. Some
transverse waves (electromagnetic waves) can move in a vacuum.
The point on the wave that is:
▪ The highest above the rest position is called the peak, or crest.
▪ The lowest below the rest position is called the trough.

Examples of transverse waves are:

o Ripples on the surface of water
o Vibrations in a guitar string
o S-waves (a type of seismic wave)
o Electromagnetic waves (such as radio, light, X-rays etc)

Transverse waves are drawn as a single continuous line, usually with a central line
showing the undisturbed position. The curves are drawn so that they are perpendicular
to the direction of energy transfer. These represent the peaks and troughs.
 Longitudinal waves
Longitudinal waves are waves where the points along its length
vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer. They can
move in solids, liquids and gases. They can not move in a vacuum
(since there are no particles)
The key features of a longitudinal wave are where the points are:
▪ Close together, called compressions
▪ Spaced apart, called rarefactions

Examples of longitudinal waves are:

1. Sound waves
2. P-waves (a type of seismic wave)
3. Pressure waves caused by repeated
movements in a liquid or gas

Longitudinal waves are usually drawn as several lines to show that the wave is
moving parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Drawing the lines closer together
represents the compressions & the lines further apart represents the rarefactions.
Comparing Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
The different properties of transverse and longitudinal waves are shown in the table:

❖ The key difference between transverse

and longitudinal waves is the direction
of the vibrations with respect to the
direction of the wave itself.
❖ For transverse waves, these are
perpendicular to each other, whilst for
longitudinal waves, these are parallel.
 Features of a Wave
When describing wave motion, there are several
terms which are important to know, including:
1) Crest (Peak)
2) Trough
3) Amplitude
4) Wavelength
5) Frequency
6) Wave speed
7) Wavefront
Crests & Troughs
✓ A crest (peak) is the highest point on a
wave above the equilibrium or rest position.
✓ A trough is the lowest point on a wave Diagrams show a crest and a trough on a transverse wave
& a compression and a rarefaction on a longitudinal wave.
below the equilibrium or rest position.
 Features of a Wave
Amplitude & Wavelength
Amplitude is the distance from the undisturbed position to the peak or trough of a wave.
• It is given the symbol A and is measured in metres (m)
• Amplitude is the maximum or minimum displacement from the undisturbed position

Wavelength is the distance from one point on the wave to the same point on the next wave.
• In a transverse wave: wavelength can be measured from one peak to the next peak
• In a longitudinal wave: wavelength can be measured from the centre of one compression to the centre of the next
• The wavelength is given the symbol λ (lambda) and is measured in metres (m)
• The distance along a wave is typically put on the x-axis of a wave diagram
 Q. Small water waves are created in a ripple tank by a
wooden bar. The wooden bar vibrates up and down
hitting the surface of the water. The diagram below
shows a cross-section of the ripple tank and water.
(a) Which arrow shows an amplitude?
(b) Which arrow shows a wavelength?
Part (a)
Step 1: Recall the definition of amplitude
Amplitude = The distance from the undisturbed position
to the peak or trough of a wave
Step 2: Mark the undisturbed position on the wave
This is the centre of the wave
Step 3: Identify the arrow between the undisturbed position
and a peak
The amplitude is shown by arrow D
Part (b)
Step 1: Recall the definition of wavelength
Wavelength = The distance from one point on the wave to the
same point on the next wave
Step 2: Draw lines on each horizontal arrow
This helps to identify the points on the wave the arrows are referring
to
Step 3: Identify the arrow between two of the same points on the wave
The wavelength is shown by arrow C
 Features of a Wave
Frequency & Wave Speed
Frequency is the number of waves passing a point in a second.
• Frequency is given the symbol f and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
• One hertz is one vibration of the wave per second. The time for one oscillation is called the period.
Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave each second.
• Wave speed is also defined as the speed at which energy is transferred through a medium.
• Wave speed is given the symbol, ν, and is measured in metres per second (m/s)
• It can be calculated using:
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
v=fxλ
• Transverse and longitudinal waves both obey the wave speed equation.
• The wave speed equation may need to be rearranged, which can be done using this formula triangle:

Where:
v = wave speed in metres per second (m/s)
f = frequency in Hertz (Hz)
λ = wavelength in metres (m)

Remember! The frequency (in Hz) is the number of oscillations per second.
The wavelength and frequency of a The period (in seconds) is the time for one complete oscillation.
Frequency = 1
wave are inversely proportional.
Period
 The Wave Equation

Question 1: Question 2:
A wave has a wavelength of 12m. A wave has a frequency of 10 Hz.
Calculate the wave speed if it has a Calculate the wavelength if it has a
frequency of 20 Hz. wave speed of 50 m/s.
v = fλ v = fλ
v = 20 x 12 λ = v / f
v = 240 m/s λ = 50 / 10
λ = 5m

When stating equations make sure you use the right letters:
• For example, use λ for wavelength, not L or W
• If you can’t remember the correct letters, then just state the word equations
• Be careful with units: wavelength is usually measured in metres and speed in m/s,
but if the wavelength is given in cm you might have to give the speed in cm/s
• Likewise, watch out for frequency given in kHz: 1 kHz = 1000 Hz
Question 3:

Q. A wave in a pond has a speed of 0.15 m/s and a time period of 2 seconds. Calculate:
a) The frequency of the wave
b) The wavelength of the wave

Part (a)
Step 1: List the known quantities Part (b)
Time period, T = 2 s Step 1: List the known quantities
Step 2: Write out the equation relating Wave speed, v = 0.15 m/s
time period and frequency Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz
Step 2: Write out the wave speed equation
v=f×λ
Step 3: Rearrange for frequency, f, and Step 3: Rearrange the equation to calculate the
calculate the answer wavelength
f=1÷T=1÷2 λ=v÷f
Frequency, f = 0.5 Hz Step 4: Use the frequency you calculated in part (a)
and put the values into the equation
λ = 0.15 ÷ 0.5
Wavelength, λ = 0.30 m
 Features of a Wave
Wavefront
Wavefronts are a useful way of picturing waves
from above: each wavefront is used to represent a
single wave. The image illustrates how wavefronts are
visualised:
i. The arrow shows the direction the wave is
moving and is sometimes called a ray.
ii. The space between each wavefront represents
the wavelength.
iii. When the wavefronts are close together, this
represents a wave with a short wavelength.
iv. When the wavefronts are far apart, this
represents a wave with a long wavelength.

Diagram showing a wave moving to the right,

drawn as a series of wavefronts
 Demonstrating Wave Motion
Properties of waves, such as frequency,
wavelength and wave speed, can be observed
using water waves in a ripple tank.
The wavelength of the waves can be
determined by:
• Using a ruler to measure the length of the
screen
• Dividing this distance by the number of
wavefronts
The frequency can be determined by:
▪ Timing how long it takes for a given
number of waves to pass a particular point
▪ Dividing the number of wavefronts by the
time taken
The wave speed can then be determined by:
✓ Using the equation:
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
Ripple tank patterns for low and high frequency vibration

The wavelengths differ with

frequency in a ripple tank:
1. The higher the frequency of
the motor, the shorter the
wavelength.
2. The lower the frequency of
the motor, the longer the
wavelength.
 Wave Behaviour
All waves, whether transverse or longitudinal, can be reflected, refracted and diffracted.

Reflection

Refraction

Diffraction
 Wave Behaviour: Reflection
Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary, such as a barrier, between two media and does not
pass through, but instead stays in the original medium.
The law of reflection states: The angle of incidence, i = The angle of reflection, r
When a wave reflects:
Speed Stays constant
Wavelength Stays constant
Frequency Stays constant
Direction Changes

Normal : a dotted line drawn at right angles (90o)

to the surface.
Angle of incidence : the angle between the
normal and incident ray.
Angle of reflection : the angle between the
normal and reflected ray.
Laws of reflection: 1) Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection; i = r
2) Both incident ray and reflected ray are on the same plane
 Wave Effects: Refraction
Refraction occurs when a wave passes a boundary between two different media and undergoes
a change in the speed as well as a change in direction. As a wave enters a different medium of a
different density, its speed changes causing it to bend, i.e. refract.
- If the waves slow down the waves will bunch together, causing the wavelength to decrease.
The waves will also start to travel closer to the normal.
- If the waves speed up then they will spread out, causing the wavelength to increase.
The waves will also turn slightly away from the normal.

How will the wave refract from the normal:

That depends on the wave speed change:
When a wave refracts: Exception!
“Speed - Away”
“Slow - Towards” Speed Changes The wave
does NOT
Wavelength Changes bend if it hits
Frequency Stays constant the surface at
right angles
Direction Changes (i.e. at 90°)
Remember to sketch:
1. Normal
2. Refracted Ray
3. Angle of Incidence
4. Angle of Refraction
5. Wavefronts
 Wave Effects: Diffraction
When waves pass through a narrow gap, the waves spread out, this effect is called diffraction.
Diffraction only generally happens when the gap is smaller than or equal to the wavelength of the wave
As the gap gets bigger, the wave gets less diffracted, in the case that the gap is very much larger than the
wavelength, the waves no longer spread out at all.
Factors Affecting Diffraction:
Diffraction can also occur 1. the size of the gap
when a wave goes past the 2. the wavelength of the wave
Greatest diffraction happens:
edge of a barrier, the waves Wavelength >= Gap size
can curve around the edge.
When a wave diffracts:
Speed Stays constant
Wavelength Stays constant
Frequency Stays constant
Direction Changes
 Investigating Waves with a Ripple Tank
Ripple tanks are commonly used in experiments to demonstrate the following properties
of water waves: Reflection at a plane surface, Refraction due to a change in speed
caused by a change in depth, Diffraction due to a gap and Diffraction due to an edge.

If a plain
barrier is put in
the way then Refraction can be shown by submerging a
the waves are glass block in the tank to cover some of the
reflected. tank floor. The depth of water becomes
shallower where the glass block is placed.
Since speed depends on depth, the ripples
slow down when travelling over the block.
 Investigating Waves with a Ripple Tank
Diffraction can be shown in a ripple tank by placing small barriers and obstacles
in the tank. As the water waves encounter two obstacles with a gap between them,
the waves can be seen to spread out.
If the gap in the barrier is larger
than the wavelength of the
waves, then the wave will pass
through unchanged apart from
slight diffraction at the edges.

However, if the gap in the barrier is

similar in width to the wavelength
of the wave or smaller, then the
wavefronts are greatly diffracted.

Diffraction of water waves also

occurs after passing an edge.
Summary: Wave Behaviour
Topics Covered (as per Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus)
END OF CHAPTER
Do you have any questions?
• Solve end of chapter questions for
good practice!
• Then start practicing Past Paper
Questions.