Wavefront and speed of a wave

A wavefront is an imaginary line that joins all crests or troughs Example

perpendicular to the direction of propagation of a wave. A ripple tank is used to demonstrate the interference of water waves.
Two dippers D1 and D2 oscillate in phase to produce water waves with
circular wavefronts, as illustrated in the diagram below.

The distance between two consecutive wavefronts is equal to one

wavelength.

So the speed of a wave is the distance covered by a wavefront per unit time.
The speed is related to the frequency and wavelength as follows
𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆 The two waves produced by the dippers overlap with each other.
Sketch the variation of the displacement of point X with time due the wave
The speed of a wave is dependent on the medium.
coming from dipper D1 and D2 .
For a string, the wave speed is dependent on the tension and the mass per Solution
unit length.
𝑇
𝑣=√
𝜇
For relatively shallow water, the speed of a water wave is given by
𝑣 = √𝑔𝐷
where 𝑔 is the acceleration due to gravity and 𝐷 is the depth of the water.

1
Reflection & refraction of waves
A wave undergoes reflection when it encounters an obstacle and the laws of
reflection are obeyed. Also, a wave refracts when it encounters a boundary
of the two media and in this case also, the laws of refraction are obeyed.

During reflection or refraction, the frequency of a wave is unchanged. This is

very important because the frequency is set by the initial vibrating source.

In case of reflection
• No change in wavelength ➔ no change in speed

Energy transmitted by a wave

As a wave propagates in space, it carries energy with it. The energy of a
wave is measured by its intensity.

The intensity is defined as the power transmitted per unit area

perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave.

𝑃
𝐼=
In the case of refraction related to water waves 𝑆
• the wavelength decreases if the wave goes from deep water to shallow
water ➔ speed decreases.
• the wavelength increases if the wave goes from shallow water to deep
water ➔ speed increases.

2
 𝐼1 × 𝑆1 = 𝐼2 × 𝑆2

𝐼1 × 4𝜋𝑟12 = 𝐼2 × 4𝜋𝑟22

Hence we obtain

𝑘
𝐼=
𝑟2

which means that the intensity falls off as the inverse of the square of the
distance from the source.

Since the intensity is proportional to the amplitude to the square, we obtain

The intensity of a wave is proportional to the amplitude to the square:
𝑘
𝐼 = 𝑘𝐴2 𝐴=
𝑟

which shows that the amplitude falls off as the inverse of the distance from
the source.

Example
A wave of amplitude 𝑎 has an intensity of 3.0 Wm–2 . What is the intensity
of a wave of the same frequency that has an amplitude 2𝑎?
Solution
12 Wm−2

Consider a wave with source at point 𝑂. The wavefronts are circular and
travelling outwards radially.

Now consider two circular areas 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 perpendicular to the direction of

propagation of the wave. Based on the conservation of energy, the power
through the two areas should be the same.

𝑃1 = 𝑃2

3
Example Example
A displacement-time graph is shown for a particular wave. A health inspector is measuring the intensity of a sound. At a distance 𝑟
from the loudspeaker, his meter records an intensity 𝐼. This corresponds to
an amplitude 𝐴 of the sound wave. At another position the meter gives an
intensity reading of 2𝐼. What is the new position in terms of 𝑟 and the new
amplitude in terms of 𝐴?
Solution
𝑟/√2
√2𝐴
A second wave of similar type has twice the intensity and half the
frequency. Sketch the second wave.
Solution

4
The Doppler Effect
It is the change in observed frequency that occurs due to the relative
motion between the observer and the source of the wave.

When the source and the observer are stationary, the observed frequency is
equal to the emitted frequency of the wave.

• If the source is moving towards the observer, then the observed

frequency is bigger.
When there is a relative motion between the source and the observer, then • If the source is moving away from the observer, then the observed
the observed frequency is not equal to the emitted frequency. frequency is smaller.

The relationship between the observed frequency and the emitted

frequency is

𝑓𝑐
𝑓O =
𝑐 ± 𝑣s

Where + is for receding and − is for approaching.

5
Example Example
A car travels with a constant velocity along a straight road. The car horn A loudspeaker emits sound of frequency 1600 Hz in all directions. A person
with a frequency of 400 Hz is sounded continously. A stationary observer attaches the loudspeaker to a string and then swings the loudspeaker at
on the roadside hears the sound from the horn at a frequency of 360 Hz. constant speed in a horizontal circle above his head. An observer, standing a
The speed of sound is 340 ms−1. large distance from the loudspeaker, hears sound of maximum frequency
Calculate the velocity of the car and state its direction. 1640 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 330 ms −1 .
Solution a) Determine the speed of the loudspeaker.
𝑓𝑐 b) Determine the minimum frequency heard by the observer.
𝑓0 = ===> 𝑣s = 37.8 m/s
𝑐 + 𝑣s c) Sketch the variation of the frequency observed by the observer with
The direction of the velocity is away from the observer. time.
Solution
a) 8.05 m/s.
Example b) 1560 Hz
A police car has two-tone siren emitting sound of frequencies of 700 Hz and c) Rise and fall in frequency depending on the direction of motion.
1000 Hz. The police car is travelling at a speed of 40.0 ms−1 towards a
stationary observer. The speed of sound in the air is 340 ms −1 .
What is the difference between the two frequencies of the sound that is
heard by the observer?
Solution
340 Hz